DANVILLE — One year ago Sunday, Aniyah Davis lost her life to gun violence.
Since her untimely death, her parents and the youth of the community have banded together to bring about change. The youth council with Project Success of Vermilion County was created shortly after Davis’ passing on June 21, 2025, at Winter Park in Danville.
“If you want change, you have to have change. It is not about politics; it is about what’s right and what’s wrong,” Aniyah’s father, Phillip Davis Sr., said during a youth town hall held just a few months after her death. “It is very easy to say what you want to do, but we have to go to work. Listen to the kids because they are our future, and they can bring something new to the city.”
The kids have not been afraid to speak out, either attending many council meetings, as well as youth-led events with Project Success. One 2024 graduate, Chase Clark, spoke out during the first youth town hall in August.
“It’s cool and amazing to see how the community cares. I knew Aniyah, and she was in my youth group together,” Clark said. “What we want is action, and we hope after we have the panel, we want to break out into groups with an outreach group, a messaging group, and a political action group, and we want to get together with the Danville City Council to make that change. I hope this launches Danville to where gun violence is talked about way less.”
And the kids have brought forth many ideas they gathered through evidence-based findings, some found during youth-led panel discussions with adult and youth participants. The kids also had attendees meet together in small groups to brainstorm ideas and solutions to violence, Jamie Nightlinger says.
And there is rarely an event you won’t see the family of Aniyah Davis present.
“In the face of unimaginable grief, they have chosen to channel their pain into purpose — standing alongside our young people, advocating for change, and working tirelessly to help create a safer and stronger Danville for all youth,” Nightlinger said. “Their willingness to continue showing up, supporting the next generation, and turning their tragedy into a mission of hope has been nothing short of inspiring.”
One of those ideas focused on bringing back community block parties.
Another was a memorial tree around the holidays dedicated to any individual who lost their life to gun violence in Danville.
On June 5, the youth held a ‘Wear Orange’ event in recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
“The Youth Council’s hard work, dedication, and commitment have already resulted in meaningful progress,” Nightlinger adds. “Project Success began hosting monthly Youth Nights for ages 16–22, creating safe spaces where young people can gather, build connections, and engage in positive activities.”
The youth council has also pushed forth community events like Midnight Basketball League with community partners like The Violence Prevention Coalition of Vermilion County, a Gun Violence Subcommittee led by candidate Mary Catherine Roberson, and others.
“Obviously, gun violence always hits personally in a town of our size, but it hit especially close to home with them,” Roberson said.
“She was a standout show choir student, very talented, very intelligent, and very involved,” Roberson said about Davis.
Roberson’s two daughters, Maia and Malia Roberson, are both involved with Project Success and were friends with Aniyah Davis. Both were instrumental in bringing back block parties.
“I have not had a block party in a long time,” Malia said during the planning stage. “We are getting back to that, and like, being able to build that community and give people a safe space to go, and give little kids a safe place to go.”
“We can bring the resources into the neighborhoods for these block parties,” Mary said. “So people don’t have to go out. We can meet people where they’re at.”
“It gives the neighborhood a positive reputation, rather than just people thinking, ‘Oh, this neighborhood is unsafe. People are always shooting up there,’” Malia added.
‘While there is still work to be done, the Youth Council has proven that the voices of young people are powerful,” Nightlinger says. “Their courage, leadership, resilience, and commitment have transformed grief into action, and they continue to lead the way toward a safer, more connected community.”
“Aniyah’s memory continues to inspire action,” Roberson says. “Watching these young people channel their pain into purpose has been one of the most powerful things I’ve witnessed. They have shown resilience, compassion, and determination, and our community is stronger because of their leadership.”
Danville Mayor Rickey Williams Jr., says, “we will continue to do everything in our power to bring justice to her family.’’
And this weekend is not only a time of grief and mourning for the family and friends of Aniyah Davis, but it is also Father’s Day.
“Aniyah’s legacy continues to live on through the work being done, the conversations being had, and the commitment to creating a safer future for all of our youth,” Nightlinger added. “Her life continues to inspire change, and her memory remains at the heart of the work we will continue to do.”
Anyone with information about the shooting death of Aniyah Davis is asked to contact the Danville Police Department at 217-431-2250. Vermilion County Crime Stoppers can also be contacted online at vccrimestoppers.org or by using the mobile app. P3TIPS, or call anonymously at 217-446-TIPS (8477).
Recently, the Vermilion County Crime Stoppers increased the reward for tips that lead to a conviction in a homicide case to $2,500.