The K.I.N.G Foundation, Political Swagger and The C.H.A.N.G.E Initiative Present
"Responsibility Is A Lifestyle: Give Back Your Gun Day"
HOUSTON, TX--T.I. and the K.I.N.G. Foundation are partnering with the Political Swagger Foundation and the C.H.A.N.G.E. Initiative in a call to service to engage elected officials, community organizers, artists, and every American citizen to accept responsibility to build safer communities.
In an effort to take guns off the streets of Houston, TX, the Grammy award winner, T.I. and his, K.I.N.G. Foundation are hosting the Responsibility Is A Lifestyle: Give Back Your Gun Day on Saturday, March 14, 2009. Anyone with an unregistered weapon will be allowed to drop it off without penalty at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 3015 North MacGregor Way, beginning at 11am; then join T.I. for a community rally at Texas Southern University.
According to a recent study released by Northeastern University, between 2002 and 2007, the number of black male juveniles murdered nationally increased by 31 percent and the number of black perpetrators by 43 percent. The increases were even greater, the report said, when guns were used as weapons.
Focusing on the period between 2000-01 and 2006-07, the study found Houston at the top of a list of 28 U.S. cities, with a 139 percent increase in the number of young African-Americans suspected in killings. (*Houston Chronicle)
“Instead of walking with guns, I now have to walk with God”, says T.I. The Responsibility Is A Lifestyle: Give Back Your Gun Day is being organized by the Political Swagger Foundation and The CHANGE Initiative with T.I.’s K.I.N.G. Foundation.
“Every era of great change has had its music and the artists have always been at the forefront of that change; from John Lennon to Marvin Gaye. Today, T.I. is using his influence to affect change and we’re excited to join him. The responsibility is on us,” said Tonja Styles, Founder of The Political Swagger Foundation.
Co-Founder of the CHANGE Initiative and recording artist, Radiant Amar, learned first hand of the impact of gun violence; when he was involved in a shoot-out at age 14. He spent nearly two years in the Houston Juvenile Detention Center and the Texas Youth Commission because of his crime. “When you pick up a gun all roads lead to an end. When you put it down, that will prove to be your best beginning,” said Radiant.
Other community partners include Texas Southern University, Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Radio-One 97.9 The Box, Houston Police Department, Councilmember Jarvis Johnson, Jahaanah Productions, Mobile Regime, Houston NAACP, Millions More Movement Ministry of Justice, and more.
ABOUT THE K.I.N.G. FOUNDATION:
The mission of Grand Hustle's K.I.N.G. (Kids In Need of Giving) Foundation is to provide support to low-income families with emphasis on basic needs for children and family support programs that provide services to struggling youth and families through out the world.
The organization was established to serve youth that face an uncertain future through positive intervention, community and family support. The K.I.N.G. Foundation is developing specific programs with focus on youth mentoring and intervention, community outreach and scholastic enrichment. Visit them @ www.thekingfoundation.com
ABOUT THE POLITICAL SWAGGER FOUNDATION:
The Political Swagger Foundation seeks to harness the growing political savvy of the hip hop generation to serve as a catalyst for change. Political Swagger is dedicated to the empowerment and development of the new youth voter bloc through education, mentorship and civic engagement. The foundation also encourages "responsibility" as a "lifestyle" socially, politically and economically among today's youth. Visit them @ www.politicalswagger.com
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