A Go Fund Me has been established for Cyntoia Brown, the African-American Tennessee woman who was granted clemency this month by Gov. Bill Haslam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brown, 30, has been in prison since she was 16 when she was convicted of killing Johnny Michael Allen, whom Brown said paid her $150 to have sex. A victim of sex trafficking, Brown said she feared for her life during the encounter and she responded by shooting Allen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After repeated calls for her release \u2013 including by celebrities such as Rihanna and Kim Kardashian \u2013 Hassan granted Brown clemency and she\u2019s scheduled for release in August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fundraiser, which organizers said is to assist Brown when she\u2019s released, has raised more than $9,000 toward a $25,000 goal at the time of this writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement released by her lawyers, Brown thanked Haslam, \u201cfor your act of mercy in giving me a second chance. I will do everything I can to justify your faith in me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith God\u2019s help, I am committed to live the rest of my life helping others, especially young people. My hope is to help other young girls avoid ending up where I have been,\u201d said Brown via the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n