The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • B5

JUMPS SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2022 THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION B5 Men of board chairman. got to show up, got to build relationships, got to have some consistency so that they understand there are different ways to build a successful The program was launched Feb. 28 at BEST Academy, a STEM-certi- fied all-boys school that serves dis- advantaged sixth through 12th grade minority students in Carey Park on westside. On March 16, it kicked off at Ivy Prep at Kirkwood, the first single-gender K-8 charter school for girls. About a dozen students at both academies meet up after school at least once a week to brainstorm dif- ferent ways to stave off gun vio- lence.

Josh Byrd, an Atlanta native, teaches the courses at BEST Acad- emy and Ivy Prep. He said men- tors must respect the community rules already established in many inner cities, but the key is having a consistent message that penetrates some of the bad behavior cul- turally accepted in those neighbor- hoods. a culture been established, where frowned upon. Another part of the culture is being tough and getting into fights, not being taken advan- tage said Byrd, who chairs 100 Black Men of anti-vi- olence subcommittee. there is an approach that you can take to where not being a bully, not snitching, and still doing the right thing to sur- vive.

And our students just have those The program is divided into 10 sessions that include conflict reso- lution, anti-bullying, avoiding vio- lence in your neighborhood, under- standing the police, the pitfalls of social media and dating violence. designed to teach students what to say and what not to say in confrontational situations. Kids act out roles and practice real-life situ- ations. helps me interact with my peers, and it helps me stay said Hayes, a seventh grader at BEST Academy. The training could be the differ- ence between life and death in a city that has experienced two con- secutive years of historic violence.

Atlanta tallied 157 homicides in 2020, its highest body count since 1994, and it followed that with 158 homicides last year. Hayes the only student involved in the program already had a personal brush with violence. Jaquawn Smiley, another sev- enth grader at BEST Academy, was 6 when he said one of his ex-boyfriends shot into the house after she broke up with him. got Smi- ley said of the experience, which he said traumatized him. thing was like on the floor, and all the glass was broken.

That was scary for The current campaign is the relaunching of an anti-violence awareness push that 100 Black Men led in the early 1990s, at a time when violence was skyrocketing in major cities nationwide. The organization held anti-vio- lence rallies throughout Atlanta and staged a parade that stepped off from the Carter Center in Free- dom Park. Modeled after seatbelt public service announcements and anti-smoking ads, they spread their message on billboards, through radio and TV ads and on Jum- botrons at sporting events. Now, being resurrected with a 21st century approach and curricu- lum that incorporates social media and digital platforms. effort was to try to change the culture of gun violence that was beginning at that said uncle, Richard Byrd, 87, who helped spearhead the campaign 30 years ago.

lot of young men now still think the passage to manhood is to kill somebody. trying to interrupt that 100 Black Men is using a three- pronged approach to attack the issue. Earlier this year, the group partnered with several companies for a digital billboard campaign as well as an art, poetry and essay contest involving high school stu- dents at BEST Academy and Doug- lass High School. The third prong is the anti-vio- lence program. Executive Direc- tor Louis Negron said a blue- print being used in cities like Oak- land, Charlotte, Los Angeles, New York and Detroit.

Locally, 100 Black Men hopes the pilot program even- tually expands to all Atlanta Public Schools. a perfect fit because it gives us a platform on something that we have done before, but also some- thing that is still relevant Negron said. 100 BlackMen teaches anti-violence skills Dwayne Heard and Jan Bryson listen to a speaker during an April 20 vigil for the victims of gun violence, which was held by 100 Black Men of Atlanta, at the King Center. Heard is a member of the group. BEN GRAY FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION Members of 100 Black Men, including Joshua Byrd (left) and Executive Director Louis Negron, participate in March in a mentor program at Ivy Prep Academy that is aimed at preventing gun violence.

The program provides several weeks of after-school education in resolution, personal choices and social media pitfalls. JENNI GIRTMAN FOR THE AJC Calise Hall completes an icebreaker worksheet at Ivy Prep Academy during a 100 Black Men mentor program in March aimed at preventing gun violence. JENNI GIRTMAN FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION Mentors continued from B1 lot of youngmennow still think the passage tomanhood is to kill somebody. trying to interrupt that Richard Byrd SUNDAYSPOTLIGHT TOPIC: NONPROFIT.