Former Utah Resident Runs 17,000-miles to Every State Capitol, Visits Hometown to Raise Awareness about Grief – in Salt Lake City on Thursday, 11/14.

The Black Pearl Project Invites the Community to Walk to Utah’s Capitol Steps at to Honor those Who Have Passed. The Black Pearl Project is a running adventure dedicated to healing through service and movement. A grief vigil takes place Thursday night at 5:30.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (NOVEMBER 6, 2024) — Seven years ago, former Utah resident Joshua Nehring and his wife Stacy lost their teenage daughter, Lilli, in a fatal car accident in Wyoming. Since that tragic day, the Nehring’s have been helping others cope with grief through a non-profit they created called SRVIVRS, which supports those who have lost a loved one or friend.

What started as a nightmare, has been transformed into a dream project for Joshua. It’s called The Black Pearl Project – a running adventure dedicated to healing through service and movement. Right after Lilli’s death, Joshua thought about running across the country—to every state capitol—to raise awareness about grief.

Joshua and The Black Pearl Project are on pace to arrive in Salt Lake City and walk/run to the Capitol’s Steps on November 14tth. Nehring will gather with his family, other community leaders and LDS faith-based friends that week as they walk to the capitol’s steps.

The Black Pearl Project is covering 17,000 miles across 48 states in one calendar year – that’s nearly 60 miles per day. Follow in real time here: https://streetferret.com/journeys/black-pearl-project.

“No one has ever run from capitol to capitol across our country for grief awareness. Just like in running, grief is isolating, but is best accomplished with the support of those around you,” explained Joshua Nehring, Runner, Co-Founder, and CEO of SRVIVRS. “My calling is to serve others in knowing they aren’t alone. Grief is universal - from the cornfields to the mountains to the coasts.”
The Nehring’s named the Tour the “Black Pearl Project” because as Joshua believes, “Over time, beauty can emerge from overcoming stress and challenges – just like a rare pearl found in the ocean.”
Transforming Grief into a Gift
Joshua is a periodontist by trade, but his journey is to serve other beyond the dental chair and out onto the open road. Joshua adds, “My pathway to healing from my daughter’s passing was to simply get outside and run. In the past couple of years, I have made it my life’s mission to “Move in Memory” for someone every day. So, when most people are asleep, I am outside running or walking in honor of someone’s life and spirit.”
SRVIVRS Means to SRV
The Tour will caravan the country in a SRVIVRS branded RV with support vehicles alongside Joshua. For his wife Stacy, the Black Pearl Project Tour has provided her with a positive way to express her own grief journey and bond with their other living children.
“We look forward to meeting people along the way and invite everyone from the communities we travel through to gather and actively pause, reflect, and honor those who have passed on,” said Stacy Nehring, Wife, Mom, and Co-Founder of SRVIVRS. “The Black Pearl Project is all about offering a soft spot to land for those who are struggling with grief.”
Follow Joshua in Real-Time
Click here for the online press kit, schedule, and real-time tracking of Joshua thanks to a partnership with Street Ferret, an online run mapping app that provides updated location and information. For those interested in having Joshua “Move in Memory” of someone, please fill out a nomination form here.
Running clubs, walkers, and the community are invited to run with Joshua up to each state’s capitol’s steps or run with him along the route. Kindly contact info@srvivrs.org to request to run with Joshua anytime throughout the Tour, indicating the location and date.
# # #

About SRVIVRS
SRVIVRS is a national organization based in Rapid City, South Dakota, that helps those who have experienced loss feel supported in their grief journey. The non-profit provides resources, creates service events, and offers opportunities to honor loved ones who have passed away. The non-profit believes anyone who has experienced a loss is a SRVIVR. For more information on the SRVIVRS organization, visit SRVIVRS.org.