February 2005

NEWSLETTER

January 2006 Volume 3 Number 1

WWW.ROOTINC.ORG

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ROOT INC.

REACHING OUT TO OTHERS TOGETHER...

TO GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM

ROOT (Reaching Out to Others Together) Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization that advocates and intervenes on behalf homicide victims and their families. ROOT motivates and mobilizes communities to take a proactive approach to reducing homicides and the gun violence occurring in cities.

2905 11th St. NW, Suite 207

Washington, DC 20001

Local: (202) 332-ROOT

Toll Free: (866) 570-ROOT

Fax: (202) 332-8250

Email:

avaharrison@rootinc.org

Website:WWW.ROOTINC.ORG

The ROOT Newsletter reaches over 12,000 subscribers locally, nationally, and internationally.

Ava Harrison

Editor - in - Chief

Photos Courtesy ROBERT R. ROBERTS PHOTOGRAPHY

HUGE SUCCESS

GUNS ASIDE MONTH IN

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

A press conference was held at the National Press Club on January 11 to announce a council resolution to proclaim the month of January Guns Aside month in the District of Columbia. The resolution commemorated the outstanding efforts ROOT has done in the Washington, DC area in its campaign to reduce gun violence and homicides.

The "Guns Aside" campaign is a collaborative effort between the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and ROOT (Reaching Out to Others Together) Inc. to take a proactive approach to reducing levels of gun violence and senseless homicides currently taking place in cities throughout the United States of America. Consciousness of the severity of gun violence within communities and schools will be heightened as a result of the compelling emotional hard-hitting graphical elements. The purpose is to reduce levels of homicide and suicide that leads to the senseless deaths taking place within communities as a direct result of the gun violence. "Guns Aside" is an awareness campaign utilizing subliminal imagery to combat the negative impact of the systemic and endemic apathy exhibited towards gun violence. The ultimate goal is to reduce incidents of gun violence and homicides in cities and communities throughout the United States.

Panelists at ROOT Inc.'s press conference were from left the US Dept of Justice, Asst. US Attorney Albert Harrington; Dr. Gregg Payne, Director, DC Dept of Health; Dr. Walter Faggett, Medical Director, DC DOH; Chuck Brown,"Godfather of GO-GO;" Washington, DC City Council Chairperson Linda Cropp; Mr. Kenneth E. Barnes, Sr. MS; DC City Councilember Adrien Fenty, Ward 4; Assistant Chief, MPD, Gerald Wilson; James Speight, President, MLK Jr. Celebration Committee; Kevin McBride, NOBLE.

Mr. Barnes, Ava Harrison, ROOT staff and volunteers are regularly in schools raising the awareness ofyouth about the consequences of their actions and challenging them to plan and think about their future. The Guns Aside assembly, approximately an hour in length, consists of a video; powerpoint presentation; an interactive engaging discussion with youth about gun violence in their communities; a survey regarding gun violence; and concludes with students taking the Guns Aside pledge. During Guns Aside month ROOT hosted Guns Aside Assemblies with the entire student bodies of the following schools in Washington, DC - Kelly Miller Middle School, Stuart-Hobson Middle School, R. H. Terrell Junior High School, Patricia R. Harris Educational Center, and Oak Hill Academy. In total ROOT's Guns Aside Assembly Campaign reached over 2,000 young people during the month. Also the assemblies are being rebroadcast continoulsy over the city owned cable channels, reaching countless number of even more homes.

At a fundraiser held by Ben's Chili Bowl for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Mr. Barnes addressed Senator Clinton. Below is a letter to Mr. Barnes from Senator Clinton expressing her gratitude for Mr. Barnes' efforts with ROOT to service children.

Senator Hillary Clinton, Mr. Barnes, Ms. Caryn Mathes, General Manager, WAMU radio.

ROOT hosted two youth forums at the University of the District of Columbia on January 30 and 31. The DC Department of Health, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the Howard University School of Medicine, and graduate students from the Howard Hospital Trauma Department/Emergency Room, and WPFW 89.3 FM collaborated with ROOT on these forums.

On January 30 a youth forum was held with candid discussions engaging the panelists about the effects of gun violence on family and community. The program opened with a special blessing from Sister Ayo Handy Kendi followed by remarks from Dr. Walter Faggett. The talented Charles Hart marching band and step team performed a lively medley. The forum was moderated by the Omarosa Stallworth, famed for appearance on The Apprentice, and Osai "The Dark Secret" radio personality from WKYS 93.9 FM. Over 400 youth were in attendace at this event from Anacostia High School, Charles Hart Middle School, Patricia R. Harris Educational Center, Boys and Girls Club of Germantown, and Oak Hill Academy.

Students watch the Charles Hart Middle School marching band perform.

Panelists from the left, MaCalus V. Hogan President, Student Council
Howard University College of Medicine; Atonn Muhammed, CEO Real HipHop Network; Clayton LeBuff, Actor, HBO Homicide Series; Bruce Brown, CEO Bruce Brown Filmworks; Banneker HIgh School Student President; Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., President, Hip Hop Caucus; John Johnson, Delfonics.

Mr. Barnes; Members of NOBLE; Officer B.T. Davis, DC IDol Hands; Jessie Lee, Executive Director, NOBLE; Miss Teen DC; Omarosa; Andre Jordan, NOBLE; Miss DC; Clay Goldstein, NOBLE; Ava Harrison; Dr. Walter Faggett, DC DOH; Jimmie Jenkins, NOBLE.

DC Youth Vote for Fenty as Top Mayoral Candidate
DCPS High School Students Ask Tough Questions at Mayoral Candidate Forum

(Washington, DC) – On Tuesday, January 3, nearly 800 D.C. High School students attended a forum at the University of the District of Columbia to hear from five D.C. Mayoral candidates. D.C. Youth had the opportunity to ask the candidates tough questions in relation to their concerns regarding education, gun violence, deplorable conditions of public schools, jobs, baseball and then were able to cast a ballot for the candidate they felt best represented youth interests. The forum was moderated by Dahmu Smith and Omorsa Stalworth and broadcast live on WPFW 89.3 FM.

The youth overwhelmingly supported Candidate Adrian Fenty, currently Ward 4 Councilman. Mr. Fenty received 72% of the youth votes. Mr. Fenty was distantly followed by Linda Cropp, Chair of the DC City Council. Ms. Cropp received 15% of the youth vote. The remaining three candidates each received 7% or less of the youth vote.

When asked why they supported the candidate of their choice, the young people had a lot to say. Many of their questions to the candidates centered around public education, the condition of their schools, the availability of parks and recreation services, the prevalence of violence, and youth employment opportunities. According to the comments on one ballot, the young person supported Mr. Fenty because, “My candidate spoke about real stuff that will help me—like gang violence and safety." Other students commented that Mr. Fenty “speaks the truth;" “is tired just like us about people making promises that they don’t keep," “is stylish and gets right to the point;" “is in tune with what needs to be done."

The Forum was sponsored by ROOT (Reaching Out to Others Together), Inc, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the DC Department of Health, and broadcast live by WPFW Radio. The Mock Election was administered and managed by the Justice 4 DC Youth! Coalition. Students came from all across the city and represented Ballou, Anacostia, Dunbar, Coolidge, Cardozo, Wilson, Woodson, Banneker and Eastern High Schools.

It is important to note that while Mr. Fenty won the overwhelming majority of votes, one in four of the young people who were at the forum opted not to vote and turned in a blank ballot. This is significant, because it may indicate that there are many issues related to young people that went unaddressed by the candidates.