On this episode of Badass, Jennifer Crossley shares the story of losing her 23 year old brother, Leroy, to gun violence when Jennifer was just 20. We explore the impact this had on Jennifer’s family, and also how it has spurred Jennifer to speak out for gun control on behalf of families like hers. We also discuss the harmful racial dynamics in the gun debate, and how those dynamics continue to affect black and brown communities.
Our Guest
Jennifer currently serves as the County Councilor for District 4, in Monroe County, Indiana, and has held this position since December 2021. Her appointment made history as she became the first Black person to sit on the council. Prior to this, she also served as the chairwoman of the Monroe County Democratic Party, also making history as the first Black person to become chairperson. She also served as the Membership Chair and Vice President of the Monroe County National Organization for Women chapter in 2017.
Jennifer is active and engaged in her community by previously volunteering at the height of the pandemic at the Shalom Center. She’s also a member of the Monroe County Chapter of the NAACP, and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Jennifer was born and raised in Gary, Indiana. She’s a graduate of Indiana University. Jennifer resides in Bloomington with her three children and Emmy-Award winning husband, Justin. She continues to use her voice and platform to push for more women of color to be involved in the political process here in Monroe County; to not only have a seat at the table but to ensure that their voices are heard; as she lives by the great Angela Davis quote, “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change, and changing the things I can no longer accept”.
