In 2020, I met Amber Carr and her two boys, Zion and Zayden, at a Say Their Names Memorial we hosted here at Tate Farms. I was immediately drawn to them, as most people are. Amber's younger sister, Atatiana Carr-Jefferson had been killed in her own home by a Ft Worth police officer. Amber's oldest son, Zion, was the only other person in the house when Atatiana was killed, and he was sitting right next to her.
At the time, people were donating money, hosting events, memorials, walks, parades, and much more to fight for justice for Atatiana. Amber and their older sister, Ashley, were rallying for Atatiana.
In the moments of meeting Amber, I felt a nudge to offer something to her.
Not money. Not a tangible item. But my time.
The nudge I felt was to spend time with Zion and Zayden. The boys and Amber lived in Mesquite, which wasn't too far so I asked if we could start keeping them some. Picking them up from school, having them sleep over… so that when it came time for the trial… Amber, family, and friends could focus on the trial while the boys would be in a safe space with people they felt comfortable with.
A couple of years went by of us getting to know the Carr family. Falling in love with the Carr family.
Amber, Zion, Zayden, and Aunt Ashley.
In that time, Amber's health began to fail. She had previously been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. The stress of seeking justice, non-stop, for Atatiana's death was taking a toll on her young body.
In November of 2022, the trial began. We had Zion and Zayden with us at the farm. During the trial, Amber was hospitalized. I remember sitting with her in the hospital as she watched the trial live on her phone. The days she had fought so hard for, and she couldn't be there.
Ashley read her victim impact statement to Aaron Dean, their sister's killer.
On December 15, 2022, Aaron Dean was sentenced to nearly 12 years for the manslaughter of Atatiana Jefferson.
Amber remained in the hospital until she was transferred, by ambulance, to Tate Farms and admitted to hospice care.
On January 30, 2023, she passed away.
She never walked the earth in celebration of Atatiana's justice. The justice she had fought so hard for. Given her life for.
Zion was 11, and Zayden was 7.
From there, Aunt Ashley left her home in Houston and moved to Tate Farms to be with the boys.
They now live in Red Oak, where they are all getting adjusted to the new family dynamic, new schools, new teachers, new friends, and new beginnings.
That is who Zion and Zayden are. Those are the sweet smiles you have seen in my pictures for the past few years. Aunt Ashley lived here with us for 6 months, and we love them so much. So many late nights talking about life. Talking about how to now honor BOTH sisters' lives.
Ashley has a non-profit organization called
The Atatiana Project.
Their mission is to inspire, educate, and grow generations from under-resourced communities by providing access to high-quality education in the fields of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). Something Atatiana LOVED.
Today is North Texas Giving Day.
I am asking you to learn more about The Atatiana Project and find out how to give.
There are several events coming up for the
4th Annual Pull Up For Tay weekend,
October 13, 14 and 15, 2023.
Come to the Community Karaoke & Cookout, sponsored by Tate Farms. Come to the parade. Buy a ticket to the Gala. Or just DONATE. Whatever fits you.
But, please, take time to learn about The Carr family. They are near and dear to us. We hope to be pouring love into them (and they to us) for many years to come and we invite you to do the same.
XOXO, Melissa Tate
