A new study, showcasing a dark reality for black kids in Duval County, has both city leaders and parents reacting.
According to Florida Kids Count, in Duval County, nearly 60 percent of all kids in poverty are black. Most of these kids come from single mother homes.
“It’s hard,” said Beverly Aaron.
It’s hard and at times unbearable, said Aaron, a single mother of six.
Aaron’s older son, Markus Tanner was murdered in July 2016.
“He was gone, in a blink of an eye. I miss my boy. The bond that me and my kid had, with no daddy, I miss my boy," Aaron said.
But despite that tragedy, she held things together, for her other kids, making sure they stay focused.
“College, finish school and get a good job,” said Aaron.
According to Florida Kids Count in Duval County, 23 percent of the total population are kids under 18 and a quarter of those live below the poverty line. Of that number more than 58 percent are black and 32 percent are white. (CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL REPORT)
“When you start life as a child in poverty, you’re not starting at the start line, you’re starting several paces behind,” said Councilman Garrett Dennis.
It’s something Dennis knows about first hand. He too grew up in poverty and in a single mother home, which is why he’s battling theses drastic numbers head on.
“Just recently, I introduced a bill, Equal Access, Equal Opportunity bill. Putting effort on the city, HR, on the independent authority, and agencies, to cast a broader net when they go out looking for hire,” said Dennis.
Aaron said her son’s killer is still out there. She’s asking if you know anything, to call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.