Shirkey Warthen: Portrait of a Larger-Than-Life Role Model

On April 17, 2012, a young black man was shot and killed in Southwest Philadelphia. What made this killing different from the 400+ shootings every year involving a young black man? Nothing and yet, everything.

Shirkey Warthen was like thousands of other young people in this country who struggle to grow up in impoverished, violent neighborhoods. He landed in juvenile court.

Shirkey was an engaged Juveniles for Justice member. He was thoughtful and passionate about improving the juvenile justice system for other young people. He wanted to give other children a chance to succeed and make his community a better, safer place for everyone. Once given the opportunity, Shirkey became a shining star, calling and emailing legislators, traveling to Washington, DC to talk with congressional staffers, and meeting with key leadership in Philadelphia to bring about positive change. Shirkey had transformed himself into a strong and powerful voice for thousands of other young people who had no voice or presence or opportunities.Unlike many others in his situation, Shirkey had an opportunity to grow, to learn, and to be valued for who he was and what he had to offer. He showed up as the West Philadelphia E3 Center for some free pizza and to hear about a group called Juveniles for Justice that Juvenile Law Center was organizing. Juvenile Law Center's organizers listened to Shirkey. They valued his feelings and thoughts and opinions. They gave him an opportunity to create his own image and to be more than just a reflection of his environment. Shirkey joined the first Juveniles for Justice class.

Shirkey often spoke about the need for mentors and role models, and the need for more positive opportunities for teens. He began to fulfill that need himself, recruiting other kids to become part of the Juveniles for Justice group, giving them a voice and an opportunity to be heard and to feel valued.

In his quest to quell violence, Shirkey became a victim of it. Philadelphia lost one of its true heroes. The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program chose a fitting memorial to honor the image Shirkey created for himself—a 40-foot tall, brightly colored mural of a young black man who gave others hope. Shirkey Warthen's image is now permanently emblazoned in his neighborhood, representing the potential that exists in every young person—potential that awaits an opportunity, a mentor, a chance to be valued ... a daily, larger-than-life presence where every child can see his own face in Shirkey's image. 

View more photos from the September 17 mural dedication in Philadelphia on our Facebook page.