Ever get caught up in those stories?
You know, the ones that don't always make the news.
Oh, absolutely.
Well, that's what we're doing today,
diving into a couple of those,
the disappearances of Kira Stubbs and Jenny Bryan.
Right.
Their cases, sadly, they kind of highlight something
that, especially in the African-American community,
is a chilling reality.
Yeah, get stuff reality.
So we're gonna try to stick to the facts,
see what we can learn,
and just really see what we can take away from all of this.
It's important to keep in mind,
these are real people.
Exactly.
With families.
With family.
Who are still looking for answers.
And they deserve those answers.
Absolutely.
So, Kira Stubbs, let's start there.
Okay.
All right, picture this.
Birmingham, Alabama, April 24th, 2014,
Kira, 23 years old, mother of two,
full of life, dedicated to her kids,
just a normal day,
tells her family she's meeting some guy about a car repair,
Okay.
Gets into his vehicle, and boom, that's it, gone, vanished.
And that was the last anybody saw her.
Last anyone ever saw her.
And what's so frustrating about Kira's case
is the lack of progress.
You know?
Right.
Like, we don't even know who this guy is,
but family has been pushing and pushing for answers.
Yeah.
There just seems to be a lack of urgency.
From the authorities.
Yeah, from the authorities.
You know, it's almost as if her case
just fell through the cracks.
It really is.
And another thing that really struck me
was the lack of media coverage.
Oh yeah.
I mean, we see these high profile missing person cases
all the time.
All the time.
But Kira's story, it barely even registered.
And why do you think that is?
What do you think is going on there?
Well, you see, missing person cases often fit
a certain mold, especially in the media.
Right.
Young, white, female.
Ah, okay.
Researchers even have a name for this phenomenon.
Oh, really?
Missing White Woman Syndrome.
Wow, I did not know that.
It's a sad reality.
Wow.
Sadly, Kira doesn't fit that mold.
Right.
And that may very well explain the silence
surrounding her disappearance.
I mean, it really makes you wonder,
whose stories are actually considered important enough
to cover?
It raises some serious questions.
Seriously.
About whose lives we value.
I mean, to think it's been almost a decade.
I know.
And there's still no answers.
I'm believing.
Where kids are growing up without their mom.
Right.
And the only thing that's left with this hole in their lives.
The lack of closure in cases like this is devastating.
Absolutely devastating.
Absolutely.
So let's shift gears a bit, talk about Jenae Bryan.
OK.
Her case brings us to Los Angeles 2024.
Right.
Now, Jenae, she was a 23-year-old Cornell grad,
bright future ahead of her.
That's promising.
Just moved to LA to kickstart her career,
and then on October 16th, vanishes near West 8th Street.
Just like that.
Wow.
But here's where things get a little weird.
That day, Jenae emailed her ex-boyfriend.
And what she wrote, it just doesn't add up.
Really?
What did she say?
So in this email, she suddenly starts
talking about getting married.
Wait, a lot.
And completely changing career paths.
Out of the blue.
Out of nowhere.
That's strange.
And everyone who knew her said this was totally
out of character for her.
That's odd.
OK, wait, because this is giving me chills.
OK.
Didn't Jenae tell her friends and family
that she was afraid of going missing?
She did.
And it's a very unsettling detail.
Very unsettling.
It is.
Speaking of frustrating investigations,
Jenae's case, well, the police response
was, let's just say, less than stellar.
Really?
Despite all her accomplishments, her family advocating for her,
it seems like they barely even tried.
Another example of authority is just not doing enough.
It's heartbreaking, really.
It is.
It feels like we're seeing a pattern here.
Yeah, unfortunately, we are seeing a recurring pattern.
African-American women going missing.
Their case is getting less attention, fewer resources.
Compared to cases involving people
from different backgrounds.
So both Kira and Jenae's cases, they point to this bigger issue.
Absolutely, they do.
And we need to understand why this is happening.
And that's exactly what we're going to dive into next.
We can't forget that this isn't just about statistics.
No, not at all.
It's about the impact on real people and their families.
Families grappling with loss and uncertainty.
Yeah, absolutely.
Forced to navigate a system that often feels
like it's working against them.
It's like they're hit with this double whammy.
First, their loved one vanishes.
And then they have to fight tooth and nail
just to get any kind of attention or support.
Exactly, it's a terrible situation.
And it's something we can't just ignore.
We have to challenge this system.
Absolutely.
Especially when it comes to marginalized communities.
100%.
You know, one thing that really struck me
as we were researching these cases
was how difficult it was to find information.
Oh, definitely.
It took a lot of digging to uncover the detail.
I know, right.
And to really get a sense of what was going on.
You make a good point.
And like they're hidden in plain sight.
Exactly, hidden in plain sight.
And it makes it so much harder for families
to raise awareness for the public to get involved,
for journalists to do their jobs effectively.
You're right.
It creates a real obstacle to getting these stories out there.
And that's where organizations like the Black and Missing
Foundation come in.
Yes, they are crucial.
They do such vital work, bringing these cases
into the spotlight.
Providing resources, advocating for change.
Feeling a void that shouldn't even exist.
Absolutely.
And you know, they've been really successful
using social media to put pressure on law enforcement.
Really?
Yeah.
They've had a huge following online, over a million.
Wow.
And when they highlight a case, it
becomes a lot harder for the police to ignore it.
That's incredible.
The power of social media for good.
It really is.
So how can people support the Black and Missing Foundation?
Well, they rely heavily on public support.
OK.
So I encourage everyone to check out their website.
OK.
Learn more about their work.
Yeah.
And consider donating or volunteering.
That's a great way to make a tangible difference.
It is.
Beyond supporting organizations like that,
what can we do in our own communities?
Well, we can definitely be more aware of our surroundings.
Right.
Pay attention to the people around us.
OK.
Be vigilant.
Report anything suspicious to the authorities.
Kind of like a neighborhood watch mentality.
Exactly.
Looking out for each other.
We can also try to change how missing persons cases
are portrayed in the media.
That's a big one.
How do we do that?
Well, so often the media focuses on cases
that fit a certain narrative.
Right.
You know, young, white, attractive women.
The missing white woman syndrome we talked about earlier.
Right.
And while every missing person deserves attention.
Absolutely.
This narrow focus creates this hierarchy of concern.
Where some cases are deemed more important than others.
Exactly.
And a lot of cases end up marginalized and forgotten.
It's a dangerous bias that we need to actively fight against.
We do.
And we need to demand that the media represents
the diversity of missing persons cases.
Show the whole picture.
Yes.
Give equal attention to all, regardless of race, gender,
or socioeconomic background.
It's about making sure everyone is seen and heard.
And that all families get the support they need.
It's not just about demanding change
from institutions in the media, right?
No, it's not.
It's about personal accountability, too.
Absolutely.
It's about each of us taking responsibility
for educating ourselves about these issues,
challenging our own biases, and using our platforms
to amplify these stories.
Using our voices to lift up others.
Exactly.
Being allies and standing in solidarity.
This isn't someone else's problem.
It's a collective issue.
It is.
It affects all of us.
We need to work together to create a society where
every missing person is valued.
Where every family receives support.
And where justice is truly blind.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
That's a powerful statement.
It is.
It reminds us that even when we're faced
with these difficult challenges, our actions,
both individual and collective, can make a difference.
They absolutely can.
We can't afford to be silent or complacent.
No, we can't.
The lives of Kira, Janay, and so many others
depend on our willingness to speak up.
To demand change.
And to create a more just and equitable world.
As we move towards the end of our deep dive into these cases,
I'm struck by the resilience of the families.
Me too.
Their strength is incredible.
Despite the unimaginable pain and frustration
they've endured, they haven't given up hope.
Not at all.
They keep fighting for their loved ones,
keep their memories alive, and demand answers.
It's inspiring, really.
It is.
It speaks to the power of love and the unwavering belief
that their loved ones deserve justice.
It's a reminder that even in the darkest of times,
hope and resilience can prevail.
They can.
And it's important to remember that while these cases are
complex and challenging, there's always hope.
Right.
Advances in technology, renewed public attention,
the tireless work of advocates and investigators.
Yeah.
All of that can lead to breakthroughs.
We've seen it happen before.
We have.
And we have to hold on to that hope,
both for the families of Kira and Janay.
And for all those who are still searching
for their missing loved ones.
Absolutely.
It's a reminder that even when faced
with seemingly impossible obstacles,
we can't give up on the pursuit of truth and justice.
We can't.
And we also have to remember that these cases are just
a small fraction of the missing persons out there.
That's a sobering thought.
It is.
But it's also a call to action.
A call to.
To not let these cases fade away,
to continue to shine a light on them.
Right.
To amplify their voices and demand
that they get the attention and resources they deserve.
Reflecting on everything we've discussed today.
Yeah.
I'm left feeling both sadness and determination.
I understand.
It's natural to feel overwhelmed by the complexities
and injustices surrounding these cases.
Yeah.
But it's also empowering to realize
that we can each play a role in creating
a more just and equitable system.
Absolutely.
Our individual actions, combined with collective efforts,
can make a real difference.
That's a powerful message.
It is.
We can't be passive observers.
We have to be active participants
in the fight for justice.
And so I think it's important to leave our listeners
with this question.
OK.
How can we, as individuals and as a society,
become more aware of these cases,
challenge the systemic biases,
and work towards a future where every missing person
receives the same level of attention and dedication?
That's a profound question.
It is.
And one that we should all be thinking about and acting on.
A question that should stay with us
long after this deep dive ends.
Yeah, a real call to action.
It is.
To empathy, understanding, and action.
To action, yeah.
And to remembering, these are real people.
Absolutely.
You know, Kira and Jenae, they were more than just names
on a report.
Right.
They were vibrant individuals with hopes and dreams
and loved ones who miss them dearly.
Absolutely.
We have to keep their faces in mind, their stories.
Right.
The impact their absence has had on everyone who knew them.
Absolutely.
Their lives mattered.
They did.
And it's important that their stories continue to be heard.
I agree.
Remembered, honored.
I completely agree.
And I think, you know, by continuing
to talk about these cases, sharing their stories,
amanding justice, we make sure they aren't forgotten.
We do.
And it's a way of honoring their legacy.
It is.
And advocating for a future where, you know,
no one else has to go through this.
Exactly.
This kind of pain and uncertainty.
Yeah, it's important to remember the toll these cases
take on everyone involved, especially the families.
Oh, absolutely.
The constant worry.
The not knowing.
The unanswered questions.
Yeah.
The never ending search for answers.
It's incredibly draining.
It's a birdie no one should have to carry alone.
It's not.
That's why support and compassion are so crucial
for those going through this.
It's true.
Even just listening.
Yeah.
Offering a helping hand.
Right.
You know, acknowledging their pain.
Just being there for them.
Yeah.
Every little bit of kindness makes a difference.
It really does.
It's about letting them know they're not alone in this.
Right.
Creating that network of support.
Absolutely.
And even when a case goes cold, the hope for answers
never really fades.
Never.
Families never stop searching.
No.
And there's always a chance that new information
could come to light.
Absolutely.
I mean, look at advances in technology.
The white.
A fresh perspective from investigators.
Absolutely.
A tip from the public.
Anything can break a case wide open.
Even years later.
Yeah.
It's a reminder to never give up hope.
Never.
And to keep advocating for these cases,
no matter how much time passes.
Exactly.
And I think one of the best things we can do
is encourage a culture where people feel safe
coming forward with information.
That's so important.
It is.
Because often someone knows something.
Right.
Even if it's just a small detail,
it could be the key to solving the whole thing.
It's true.
Sometimes the tiniest bit of information
can lead to the biggest breakthrough.
Absolutely.
And just as important as solving the disappearances
that have already happened is preventing future ones.
And how do we do that?
Education is key.
OK.
We need to teach people about personal safety.
Right.
Recognizing warning signs.
The importance of reporting anything that seems off.
Empowering people to protect themselves and each other.
Exactly.
And we also need to address the bigger picture,
the societal factors.
No, right.
Like what?
Poverty.
Lack of resources.
Systemic inequalities.
These things make certain communities more vulnerable.
It's about creating a safer, more just world.
For everyone.
And that requires a multifaceted approach.
Like what?
Community engagement, policy changes,
a real commitment to addressing the root causes.
Right.
It's a complex problem, but not an impossible one.
Not at all.
Not with collective effort and determination.
Well said.
And as we wrap up this deep dive,
I want to leave everyone with a feeling of hope and empowerment.
I agree.
These cases are tragic.
Yeah.
But they also highlight the strength of the human spirit,
the power of community, and the unwavering pursuit of justice.
We've seen how people are working to bring these cases to light.
They are.
Support those who are hurting, demand change.
Absolutely.
Their efforts are proof that hope and resilience can win out.
They can.
And we can all be a part of that.
We can.
By educating ourselves, speaking up,
supporting those organizations, making a difference.
And just being more aware of our surroundings.
Yeah.
Together, we can build a safer, more just world.
Absolutely.
Every action counts.
Thank you for joining us for this deep dive.
Thanks for listening.
We hope that this episode has shed light
on these incredibly important cases,
sparked some conversations, and maybe even inspired you
to get involved.
These aren't just stories.
Yeah.
These are real lives.
And we can't let them be forgotten.
We can't.
And their families deserve answers.
They deserve justice.
Stay informed.
Stay engaged.
And never give up hope.
Never give up.
Together, we can make a difference.