Raising awareness.

Promoting social justice.

Supporting artists.

In honor and memory of Brian Deneke.

Who. What. Why.

  • Being a teen is tough. Being a teen that is different is tougher. Whether you are a punk, a band nerd, a theatre kid, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, all of the above, or none of the above … We want you to know that you have a place in this world, and that we provide a safe space to share your story, and an opportunity to take your skills and talents and create real and lasting change.

  • Difference is a gift. We aim to support and give a voice to teens and young adults that are looking to make an impact on their school, community, or the world. By offering scholarship opportunities to teens and young adults, we can ensure that future artists and entrepreneurs that face discrimination for being different can become influential and empowered adults.

  • Having learned about the horrific loss of Brian Deneke, we were inspired to take action. 25 years have passed since Brian’s death and yet sadly, hate crimes and discrimination still plague our schools and communities. It is only through the telling of stories like Brian’s that we can grow in our understanding, recognize our own prejudices, and create a path towards a more inclusive and accepting future.

Redefine hate crime.

The United State Department of Justice recognizes hate crimes that include issues of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. There are, however, a wide range of subcultures, that for the purpose of law aren’t protected classes of people. Looking different alone can instigate intolerant or hate-based behavior from others. Brian Deneke was a Punk musician, Punk being a subculture based on musical preference. He had a mohawk, wore band shirts and a leather studded jacket, combat boots, etc… In a community in which this was uncommon, Brian became a target for hate-based behavior, but his murder was not treated or classified as a hate crime… this needs to change.

Get informed. Get inspired. Get involved.

  • Brian Deneke

    On December 12, 1997, 19-year-old American punk musician Brian Deneke was killed in a deliberate hit-and-run attack in Amarillo, Texas. The homicide and the outcome of the trial against Camp galvanized the punk community and raised accusations about the social tolerance of the Texan city.

  • Bomb City (Film)

    Bomb City is a true crime film, about the cultural aversion of a group of punk rockers in a conservative Texas town. Their ongoing battle with a rival, more-affluent clique leads to a controversial hate crime that questions the morality of American justice. Based on the true-life story of Brian Deneke.

  • Marilyn Manson

    In the wake of the aftermath of Columbine, Marilyn Manson speaks out on violence and blame in the media at the Disinformation Conference at New York University in 2000. He raised awareness of Deneke’s murder and the lack of justice he and his family received in the small Texas town of Amarillo.

  • SLC Punk! (Film)

    A coming of age story about two Punks and best friends that grow up in a conservative town while facing bigotry and intolerance. When people adopt a fearful and aggressive personal style, we forget that somewhere inside, hidden by the punk look, the haircuts, the body piercing, the chains, the tattoos or the gang regalia, is a person who basically just wants to be loved and understood. Telling the world to go to hell is often the response of people who believe the world has told them to go to hell.

  • Subcultures

    There are a wide range of subcultures, that for the purpose of law aren’t protected classes of people. However, looking different alone can instigate intolerant or hate-based behavior from others. Brian Deneke was a Punk musician, Punk being a subculture based on musical preference. Other music based subculture examples include; Metal Heads, Hip Hop, Hipsters, Emo Kids, Goths, Rockers, Skaters, and many more…

  • Hannah Gadsby

    Nanette is a live performance written and performed by Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby, which debuted in 2017. The work includes social commentary (especially about LGBTQ and women's perspectives, and mental illness), evocative speech punctuated by comedy and emotive narration of Gadsby's life, lessons and what her story offers to the world.

Learn More