EPISODE · Dec 9, 2025 · 51 MIN
18: Honoring D'Sean Perry: Navigating Grief & the Impact of Gun Violence
from grownwoman · host Shannon Allen
In this heartbreaking and powerful episode of grownwoman, host Shannon Allen sits down with Happy and Sean Perry, the parents of D'Sean Perry - a gifted artist, Division 1 athlete, and victim of the tragic UVA shooting. Together with Dr. John Onwuchekwa, they open up about D'Sean Perry’s brilliant mind, beautiful spirit, and the deep grief that followed his devastating loss. From daily 10 am prayer calls to his passion for ceramics and sketchbooks filled with untold stories, D'Sean Perry’s legacy lives on through art, activism, and the D'Sean Emir Perry Spirit of the Cavaliers Foundation. ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions about gun violence, trauma, and loss. Viewer discretion is advised. KEY POINTS [0:00] Introduction [1:08] D'Sean’s parents share early memories - a gifted athlete and brilliant artist in one. [4:18] D'Sean’s passion for art deepens at UVA, where he majors in visual arts. [10:18] His artwork becomes his language: ceramics, pastels, sketchbooks, and self-portraits. [13:14] The last phone call: nightly “10 p.m.” ritual of checking in and prayer. [19:07] The moment every parent fears – finding out their son was killed in the UVA shooting. [24:47] Processing unimaginable grief through faith, community, and remembering his light. [34:21] The Perry family’s mission: keeping his legacy alive through the D'Sean Perry Spirit Foundation. QUOTES “Grief is not a journey. Grief is a language we speak.” — Dr. John Onwuchekwa “We are his voice. His legacy will not die.” — Happy Perry “Art is essential to healing — it bypasses the defenses of the mind.” — Dr. John Onwuchekwa GUEST RESOURCES Perry’s Foundation Website | dseanspiritofcavaliers.square.site John Onwuchekwa Website | johno.co IG | @jawn_o RESOURCES Shannon Allen Grown Website | https://www.grown.org/ IG | @shannonwalkerallen 🌱 Stay Connected & Explore More 🔗 Visit the Grown Website Grown.org 📲 Follow Shannon on Instagram@shannonwalkerallen 🎧 Like, Share & Subscribe If this episode moved you, inspired you, or made you think, don’t keep it to yourself! Like, share, and subscribe to grownwoman on your favorite podcast platform. grownwoman is produced by EPYC Media Network
What this episode covers
In this heartbreaking and powerful episode of grownwoman, host Shannon Allen sits down with Happy and Sean Perry, the parents of D'Sean Perry - a gifted artist, Division 1 athlete, and victim of the tragic UVA shooting. Together with Dr. John Onwuchekwa, they open up about D'Sean Perry’s brilliant mind, beautiful spirit, and the deep grief that followed his devastating loss. From daily 10 am prayer calls to his passion for ceramics and sketchbooks filled with untold stories, D'Sean Perry’s legacy lives on through art, activism, and the D'Sean Emir Perry Spirit of the Cavaliers Foundation. ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions about gun violence, trauma, and loss. Viewer discretion is advised. KEY POINTS [0:00] Introduction [1:08] D'Sean’s parents share early memories - a gifted athlete and brilliant artist in one. [4:18] D'Sean’s passion for art deepens at UVA, where he majors in visual arts. [10:18] His artwork becomes his language: ceramics, pastels, sketchbooks, and self-portraits. [13:14] The last phone call: nightly “10 p.m.” ritual of checking in and prayer. [19:07] The moment every parent fears – finding out their son was killed in the UVA shooting. [24:47] Processing unimaginable grief through faith, community, and remembering his light. [34:21] The Perry family’s mission: keeping his legacy alive through the D'Sean Perry Spirit Foundation. QUOTES “Grief is not a journey. Grief is a language we speak.” — Dr. John Onwuchekwa “We are his voice. His legacy will not die.” — Happy Perry “Art is essential to healing — it bypasses the defenses of the mind.” — Dr. John Onwuchekwa GUEST RESOURCES Perry’s Foundation Website | dseanspiritofcavaliers.square.site John Onwuchekwa Website | johno.co IG | @jawn_o RESOURCES Shannon Allen Grown Website | https://www.grown.org/ IG | @shannonwalkerallen 🌱 Stay Connected & Explore More 🔗 Visit the Grown Website Grown.org 📲 Follow Shannon on Instagram@shannonwalkerallen 🎧 Like, Share & Subscribe If this episode moved you, inspired you, or made you think, don’t keep it to yourself! Like, share, and subscribe to grownwoman on your favorite podcast platform. grownwoman is produced by EPYC Media Network
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18: Honoring D'Sean Perry: Navigating Grief & the Impact of Gun Violence
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