Who are Derrica and Natalie Wilson?
Sisters Derrica and Natalie Wilson share more than just blood. The two women are also joined together in their mission to help minority families find missing relatives.
Derrica, a law enforcement official and Natalie, a public relations specialist, banded to launch the Black and Missing Foundation in 2008. In addition to their full-time day jobs, the sisters founded the non-profit organization which is dedicated to raising more awareness to missing persons of color and providing support for grieving families who identify with this issue.
Why are they on theGrio’s 100?
In 2013, the FBI found that there were over 240,000 minorities who were reported missing in the United States. However, only a handful of these cases received the attention, concern and publicity needed to increase efforts in solving them. That’s where the Black and Missing Foundation stepped in — Derrica and Natalie took on the daunting task of working with the families, law enforcement officials and media in helping to track down these missing individuals.
They have been recognized by People magazine as national heroes who have helped to locate more than 113 missing people with more than 70 found alive. They reportedly have over 2,000 missing persons reports in their databank and have worked on several high-profile cases such as that of missing New Orleans teacher Terrilyn Monette and missing doctor Teleka Patrick. Natalie told People: “Coping with a missing loved one is traumatic and overwhelming. We want families to know that they are not alone.”
What’s next for the Wilsons?
The Wilson sisters have learned to balance their full-time jobs, families and their foundation with passion and poise. They continue to provide support and assistance for grief-stricken households and help hunt for black missing persons on a daily basis. They are committed to their cause and have built a website, BAMFI.org, that allows users to search for and report missing persons as well as submit information to their tip line. The Wilson sisters are forever committed to their cause and find solace in doing all they can in returning missing loved ones to their homes.