Former Birmingham mayoral candidate Fernandez Sims forms nonprofit for families of murder victims

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Fernandez Sims
[Photo via Fernandez Sims' Facebook]

Over the years, Birmingham’s Fernandez Sims has built an impressive resume — from Pastor, to veteran in both the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps infantry units, bereavement counselor, case manager at Impact Family Services. Now, the former Magic City mayoral candidate, is adding another notch to his belt: founder of a nonprofit to support families of murder victims and help diffuse community violence.

For Sims, deciding to found the group was deeply personal. He  he was inspired to create the group after the feelings he endured after the loss of his brother, Christopher, 26 years ago.

Now he wants to help others who find themselves in a similar place. The group will bring victim’s families food, help them with funeral expenses and seek peace for the survivors.

“We will also do conflict resolution in those communities themselves. Whether it will be with groups or families. We have to de-escalate the violence in our communities,” he told WVTM-13.