No doubt about it, Americans are living in remarkably interesting times. At this point, it’s not a matter of if, but when, someone will know another person killed by gun violence.
In 2021, the most recent year for which complete data is available, 48,830 people died from gun-related injuries in the US, according to the CDC. That figure includes gun murders and gun suicides, along with three less common types of gun-related deaths tracked by the CDC: 1) those that were accidental, 2) those that involved law enforcement, and 3) those whose circumstances could not be determined.
For private security expert, Kerry KingBrown, understanding Americans has led him to create the Black Wolf App, a protected ride-share app that offers armed drivers when you need a ride.
“After I completed a private security job, the client told me that I should be doing this for everyone. She advised me to get to work and solve the problem of people not feeling safe as they travel,” KingBrown said. “So, I went home, and in 45 minutes created a presentation to create my version of what protected ride share means.”
KingBrown has done private security for President Donald Trump, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green, and a host of athletes, actors, and professionals.
KingBrown was bit by the security bug early. At the age of fifteen, he’d begun working as a doorman at events and was later accepted by Gavin de Becker and Associates to learn private security by what is considered the best private security firm in the US.
He has conducted over four extractions overseas and is considered “the future of private security” by his peers. Creating the Black Wolf App comes at a perfect time for KingBrown and our country.
“We’ve had an incredible response to offering protected ride share,” KingBrown said. “People are struggling with the level of violence in our cities, and they want to feel protected.”
He’s right! More than ever, Americans feel unprotected — by our government and our police, and more people are arming themselves in the event they need to stop a violent crime from happening to them.
The Internet has only increased the anxiety of witnessing violent crimes wherever they happen. About 8-in-10 US murders in 2021 — 20,958 out of 26,031 (81%) — involved a firearm. That marked the highest percentage since at least 1968, the earliest year for which the CDC has online records.
Gun murders have climbed sharply during the pandemic, increasing 45% between 2019 and 2021, while the number of gun suicides rose 10% during that span. In 2023, data shows that 350 school shooting incidents occurred across the US. The Gun Violence Archive, a data collection and research group, defines mass shootings as incidents in which at least four people are injured or killed, excluding the shooter. The archive counts 49 mass shootings in 2024.
Americans are taking note and have started to buy personal protection to protect themselves and their families. The share of American households owning at least one firearm has remained steady since 1972, hovering between 37% and 47%. In 2023, about 42% of US households had at least one gun in their possession.
The problem with owning a gun is that while having one feels safe, the problems that come from having one in the home also increase the opportunity for incidents with guns to happen.
Preventable or accidental gun-related deaths increased by 3% in 2021. Suicides have increased among those who have a gun in their home. Suicide deaths involving guns have increased by 28%, while assault deaths have increased by 80% since 2012. In 2021, both suicide and assault deaths increased by 8%.
KingBrown understands all the statistics and percentages, so he aims to take the Black Wolf App national. “Right now, we operate in the South, Florida and Georgia. As we grow, we need to make sure that we obey all the laws in the various states, so we are communicating with the right agencies to make sure we’re good.”
KingBrown understands that the world of security is ridiculously small. As a businessman and a Black man, KingBrown cannot afford to make any mistakes.
“We understand the opportunity before us.” KingBrown said, “So, we have to be very methodical as we grow to ensure success from those who don’t want us to succeed.”
Like any business that a Black man starts, there will be obstacles from the outside world, those who don’t want to see the Black Wolf App eat into market share. Because of the idea of offering a protected ride-share app, KingBrown’s story has been misrepresented in the press.
He is very aware of the politics that come with creating a meaningful business and makes sure that when he’s speaking to young people, he conveys the drive that one must have to succeed.
The Black Wolf App offers several levels of rideshare.
- Black Wolf Economy – Affordable rides, with screened drivers.
- Black Wolf Premium – Premium rides, with screened drivers.
- Black Wolf Armed – Premium rides, with screened drivers and extra protection.
“We’ve received an outstanding number of messages and emails from passengers of other ride-hailing companies expressing their experience about feeling vulnerable and unsafe with other ride-hail companies due to the lack of driver background checks and driver standards. Black Wolf App is filling the void,” KingBrown explained.
The ride-share app is becoming so popular that people are asking for KingBrown to bring it to their state. While he may not be able to provide the ride-share app everywhere, he does offer his protection services all over the world.
KingBrown still provides private security for high-level professionals, politicians, entertainers, and athletes. His firm also offers static protection wherein security guards can be hired to safeguard a business. They are ununiformed security agents who will personally protect a business from the exterior or inside. KingBrown‘s static guards provide extra protection during office hours or even off hours and prevent unauthorized visitors. Static protection can occur in a home as well for those who need private protection.
KingBrown is also getting interest from drivers around the country. The drivers who join the firm to offer rides enjoy a higher commission for their services. They can get paid using fifteen distinct categories of offers by the firm.
“Our drivers are earning a genuinely nice income because of the nature of how we provide services. If you desire to drive with us, and you have a licensed firearm, we would love to speak with you. Our drivers go through a tremendous background check and are also great at private security as well,” KingBrown said.
Because of the nature of the business, riders can expect to pay a slightly higher fee for traveling in a protected vehicle. However, all riders welcome the increased feeling of safety.
With the Black Wolf App, Kerry has created the ride company at the right time. With time and great integrity in getting it right, the entire country should soon be able to enjoy the comfort of riding with an armed driver.
“The goal is to make people feel safe as they travel from city to city or meeting to meeting. That has always been my biggest goal,” KingBrown said.
