Dr. Jynona Norwood is the executive director of The Cherishing the Children Jonestown Memorial Services and Wall. Her family suffered the greatest lost in numbers. A total of twenty-seven (27) loved ones as well as the youngest child lost that day, a three month old baby. She now remains committed after 30 years of bringing healing to families and the world through pursuit of the Cherishing the Children Jonestown Healing Memorial Wall at Evergreen Cemetery in Oakland, California where four hundred and six (406) victims are buried -- and most of them are children. Dr. Norwood says, “We must clear our minds and pledge to never let this happen again anywhere in the world by honoring and remembering the sacred 305 children’s silent screams.”

On November 18, the 30th anniversary of one of the nation’s most horrific mass deaths in American history involving some 918 people, 305 children, 40 infants, mostly African-Americans who perished in Guyana, was historically marked by the unveiling of a portion of the long-awaited wall to commemorate innocent children that were lost.  

Amidst the tears and her strong faith in God, Dr. Norwood, a Los Angeles Pastor of the Family Christian Cathedral, stands as strongly today as when she first began the journey of acknowledging those who perished long before anyone thought about it.  Her love and commitment has not gone unnoticed. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom recognized Dr. Norwood for raising public awareness with the 30th Annual Jonestown Healing Memorial Services and unveiling the Cherishing The Children Jonestown Memorial Wall to honor the lives of the children who died.  

Dr. Norwood says, “We must clear our minds and pledge to never
let this happen again anywhere in the world by honoring and
remembering the sacred 305 children’s silent screams.”