Tuscaloosa's JacQuan Winters Is Empowering Youth and Transforming

Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa, 92.9 WTUG, Praise 93.3, 105.1 The Block, and the Tuscaloosa Thread are proud to present the 2022 Black History Makers of Alabama supported by Sealy Furniture Outlet, Twelve25 Sports Bar & Entertainment Venue, and Red Oak Credit Union.

The Yellowhammer State is filled with great African American leaders from the past, present, and future. We thank our West Alabama community partners, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Delta Phi Lambda Chapter, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Xi Omega Chapter for their continued support.

JacQuan D. Winters is a Black History Maker of Alabama

"Black History in Alabama is important because of its richness. Those who have come before us have endured so much for us, that it is only right that we honor their trials, tribulations, and successes by continuing the good fight in every endeavor." - JacQuan D. Winters

Many young men in Tuscaloosa that I have come across and one young man, JacQuan D. Winters is making a difference in the Tuscaloosa community by empowering youth, advocating for suicide prevention, and assisting citizens in achieving their dreams through homeownership.

JacQuan D. Winters is a passionate suicide prevention advocate, youth empowerment coach, children's author, and speaker. Following the suicide of his 11-year-old sister Kristen, Winters sought a way to keep her memory alive and founded the Kristen Amerson Youth Foundation, Inc. Though the death of his sister Kristen was extremely painful, Winters was able to find purpose in his pain and realized his passion to serve the younger generation.

Today, Winters is blessed to serve as the Executive Director of the Kristen Amerson Youth Foundation. Through his work with the Kristen Amerson Youth Foundation, Winters has published two children’s books, "Kristen's Rainy Day” and “My Happy Place” both written to continue the legacy of his younger sister, Kristen. Because of his hard work with the Kristen Amerson Youth Foundation, Winters was recognized as a 2019 recipient of the West Alabama Young Leaders Award by United Way of West Alabama. He is also a 2019 Tuscaloosa 40 under 40 recipient.

Winters earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice from the University of West Alabama. JacQuan also earned his Master of Education from the University of West Alabama. He is trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid, SafeTALK, and is a certified QPR (Question Persuade Refer) Gatekeeper Instructor, which equips him to teach lay and professional "gatekeepers" the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. JacQuan is also a Realtor® at Pritchett-Moore Real Estate. He was recently awarded 2021 Rookie Realtor of the Year by the Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors.

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