When Lynn was younger, her cousin Rich was shot while getting into his car at a Chicago gas station. He was innocently walking to his car when a guy shot him and his friend.  “…If he can just go outside and someone can shoot him, then that can happen to me,” Lynn said. “It can happen to anyone.”  The shooter wasn’t just any guy, either, but someone who lived in Lynn’s neighborhood. Her cousin even knew who the boy was. Through family friends, they later found out that this was a gang-related crime. “It was a scare you know, they shot up his car, like seven bullet holes,” said Kyra’s mom, Precious Mobley.

Her cousin was shot in the leg, and although it wasn’t fatal—it’s enough to scare just about anybody. Lynn says that things like this happen a lot in Chicago; in fact according to a 2016 BBC report, there have been more shooting deaths in Chicago since 2001 than there have been American deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq combined. When asked about the biggest difference from Iowa City she simply said, “the crime.” Her mother naturally was worried about her and this is something that had a big impact on Lynn’s life. ΅She couldn’t go to friends houses, she still can’t because of the way I was with her in Chicago. I didn’t let her spend the night with people who weren’t family.” Says Mobley “When I was seventeen my cousin got murdered from gun violence — that really affected me horribly, I still think about it to this day and that was over twenty years ago”  “We hardly went to the park. It has to be a whole family going because the parks are just like a shooting range for Chicago.”

But Lynn’s story isn’t only one of crime, it’s one of family. “We rise above that. We try not to make that into a negative we always turn it around into a positive.” Says Mobley. “Growing up Krya was very bubbly and very independent. She caught onto things really fast. She was talking at maybe like nine months, she basically potty trained herself— She was a cool kid–She has a huge family that loves and supports her with everything she does, and that’s the honest truth.” Says Mobley.

Kyra said that her mom taught her how to be a young lady, which was important to Lynn because she said “I’m not a kid no more.” Her mom stated ΅(Lynn) said young lady but theyŕe just traits of good people in general I believe.” Lynn’s mom helped her grow up and showed her that “everybody is not your friend and pick and choose who your friends are.” Lynn has a support system to rely on when things go wrong. Family and friends can help you through the hards times and make the good times even better. “We in the kitchen, we’re always laughing and music is a big part of my family. Kyra has that in her, she loves music and dance.”

Kyra’s family is very proud of her and everything she’s accomplished. Mobley said that Kyra graduating eighth grade was one of her proudest moments because she was beginning a new chapter in her life. “(Kyra) being my only child every small milestone— It lights me up.”

According to Lynn, when living in Chicago, it’s important to “keep your head up.” to her, having confidence is key. Lynn keeps a positive attitude and says that it’s important to “do your fears.”  She doesn’t let anything hold her back from what she loves, dancing track, and when she’s older, attending school to be an esthetician.