Lawrence “Vonzail” Odom is a four-time suicide attempt survivor, U.S. Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the founder of I Am the Voice of Suicide, a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking silence, building hope, and raising awareness around suicide and the many struggles that lead to it.

From a young age, Vonzail endured relentless bullying—not only at school, but within his own home and community. The pain of feeling unsafe, unseen, and undervalued followed him into adulthood and intensified during his military service after 9/11. While serving his country, he experienced combat-related trauma, sexual assault, and the lasting emotional effects of war. These experiences led to years of silence, identity confusion, spiritual disconnection, and ultimately, multiple suicide attempts.

In 2008, after surviving one of those attempts, Vonzail awoke to the voices of his mother and grandmother and received a revelation that would change the trajectory of his life: “God preserved you to be a voice for those who struggle in silence.” Nearly a decade later, in 2017, that calling became deeply personal when his cousin, Sgt. Tiara Brown—the very person who once talked him out of ending his life—lost her own life to suicide.

Standing at her funeral, Vonzail made a vow that Tiara’s story would not end in silence. Her legacy would live on through a movement that transforms pain into purpose and tragedy into testimony. That promise became I Am the Voice of Suicide—a foundation and lifeline for survivors, families, and communities impacted by suicide, bullying, trauma, domestic violence, substance abuse, and related struggles.

Today, Vonzail uses his lived experience to remind others that survival is not failure—it is purpose. Through advocacy, awareness events, and creative community outreach, he continues to inspire healing, hope, and the courage to speak.