Both Sides of the Coin Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Tyra Little, a military veteran, elected Richland County Councilwoman, and mother who lost two sons to gun violence. Ajani was murdered by police in 2013 and Oji to street violence in 2024. After making the courageous decision to reach out to the mother of her oldest son Oji killer, Tyra discovered that grief and trauma exist on both sides of violence. That moment became the foundation for a movement.

Through trauma-informed 8-week cohort programs, we serve four communities often overlooked by traditional support systems: survivors of violent loss, families of offenders, at-risk youth, and justice-involved youth. Our philosophy is simple. Healing must reach all sides. We believe that when communities invest in holistic, trauma-informed care, cycles of violence can be interrupted and transformed into cycles of healing.

Both Sides of the Coin Initiative

Rooted in Faith and Forgiveness. Restoring Communities.

Active campaigns

From Grief to Grace: Funding the Work of Both Sides of the Coin