Missing: Patrick Kennedy Alford

Patrick Kennedy Alford Missing Date: Jan 22, 2010 Missing City: Brooklyn Location Last Seen: The 7-year-old was last seen taking out the trash at his foster home. He may be in or near Brooklyn, New York. More Info:http://www.blackandmissinginc.com/cdad/index.cfm?MissingInfoID=436  

A missing child almost always gets the sympathy of an entire community, sometimes the entire nation. However, missing children of color can oftentimes be of less concern to media outlets and even sometimes the police.

The chilling case involving 8-year-old Leiby Kletzky became a top story in many of the city's media outlets. Leiby was last seen walking home from day camp in Brooklyn before he went missing for nearly three days. It was later discovered that he was kidnapped and killed. A man named Levi Aron, 35, has been charged. Pieces of Leiby's body were dismembered and found in a freezer and dumpster. Aron is currently awaiting trial.

But while Leiby's story made many in the city cringe, one question stood in the minds of many in the community: What if Leiby Kletzky had been black?

According to Derrica and Natalie Wilson, founders of the Washington, D.C.-based Black and Missing Foundation Inc., the coverage might not have been the same.

The Wilsons, who are sisters-in-law, started Black and Missing in 2008 with the goal to bring awareness about missing people of color, who oftentimes don't receive enough coverage in the media. Black and Missing also educates communities of color about personal safety.

On their website, there are hundreds of missing black and Latino people, some of whom have been missing for years.

"Our mission is to bring families back together with missing loved ones," Natalie Wilson said. "We rely on communities and families to be vigilant when they contact us directly. We also utilize social media followers on Facebook and Twitter to report information back to us."

Derrica Wilson, a former police officer from Virginia, said that a case involving a missing young black girl in South Carolina, who was later found murdered, frustrated her. She wanted to do something about it. She said that while she was a police officer, she spent very little time on missing persons' cases.

"The family struggled to find media attention for their case," she said. "At the same time, the world was hearing about Natalie Holloway missing all the time on the news, and people are still talking about her. There is something we need to do to bring awareness to this issue."

Natalie Wilson said that one way that missing children of color could get more coverage in the media is with more blacks making decisions in the newsroom. To many editors, producers and even the police, missing black youth are viewed as runaways, she said.

She said, "One of the things that needs to change is diversity in the newsroom. We also need to work more closely with police departments in our cities and work with them to decide what stories need to be reported. The police often feed stories to news outlets on what stories they should be doing."

Since Black and Missing started in 2008, roughly 30 people have been recovered, averaging about 10 people a year. However, as the number of those who have been found is something to celebrate, the number of those missing has increased, especially black men and boys.

"When we first started, about 30 percent of people missing were people of color," said Natalie Wilson. "It is now 40 percent. Most of those who are missing are black males."

To bring those numbers down, the Wilsons said that there are tips that parents and kids can take to be safe. First and foremost, Derrica Wilson said, having a way for authorities to identify your child is crucial.

"Make sure you have current photo IDs of your children, spouse and parents," she said.

"You also need to get to know your neighbors and community in case something happens. Also, check the sex offender registry list to know who is living in your neighborhood."

For parents, Derrica Wilson also said that being a parent rather than a friend is important, along with listening. Also, know who your child's friends are and who their parents are.

In the event that you believe that someone is missing, call 911 and report the missing person to the police right away. Passing out flyers can also help.

"We don't hear about every story that's out there," said Derrica Wilson. "We need our soldiers to be our eyes and ears, and we work with the police as well."

For more information on the Black and Missing Foundation, go to

www.blackandmissing.com, follow them on Twitter @BAM_FI or Facebook at Black and Missing Inc. or call (877) 97BAMFI (22634).