Our Story
Founder & Survivor, I Am the Voice of Suicide
I Am the Voice of Suicide is a suicide awareness foundation and community initiative committed to supporting individuals who suffer in silence. We provide safe, inclusive spaces for healing through creative expression, education, and connection.
Our work centers on reducing stigma, increasing awareness, and creating pathways to healing for individuals, families, and communities impacted by depression, mental illness, and suicidal ideation.
Lawrence “Vonzail” Odom is a four-time suicide attempt survivor, U.S. Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the founder of I Am the Voice of Suicide a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking silence, building hope, and bringing awareness to suicide and the many struggles that lead to it.
From a young age, Vonzail endured relentless bullying, not only at school, but in his own home and community. The pain of feeling unsafe, unseen, and undervalued followed him into adulthood and intensified during his military service after 9/11, where he faced trauma, sexual assault, and the lasting effects of war. These experiences led to years of silence, identity confusion, and spiritual disconnection and ultimately, multiple suicide attempts.
In 2008, after surviving one of those attempts, Vonzail woke up to the voices of his mother and grandmother and a revelation that would change his life: “God preserved you to be a voice for those who struggle in silence.” Nearly a decade later, in 2017, that calling became painfully personal when his cousin, Sgt. Tiara Brown the very person who once talked him out of ending his life lost her own to suicide.
Standing at her funeral, Vonzail made a vow that Tiara’s story would not end in silence. Her name would live on through a movement that transforms pain into purpose and tragedy into testimony. That promise became I Am the Voice of Suicide a foundation and lifeline for survivors, families, and communities impacted by suicide, bullying, trauma, domestic violence, substance abuse, and other contributing factors.
Today, Vonzail uses his story to remind others that survival is not failure, its purpose. Through advocacy, awareness events, and creative community outreach, he continues to inspire others to find healing, hope, and their voice
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Our Mission
To break the silence surrounding suicide by empowering voices of survival, advocacy, and hope through creative arts programming, mentoring, therapy, and community education for families, friends, and communities.
Our Vision
We envision a world where no one feels alone in their struggle—where hidden cries are heard, lives are valued, and speaking up becomes a bridge to healing. Through awareness, connection, and courage, we aim to turn pain into purpose and voices into lifelines.