THE Philly 100 BLOG.

Gun Safety Advocates Feel Mayor Kenney’s Proposed Budget Could Have Gone Further to Address Gun Violence

Yesterday Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney presented his FY22 budget to City Council.

The proposed budget investing $18.7 million of additional funding for anti-violence efforts to total $35.5 million of investment including funds to expand the mobile behavior crisis response team and a pilot job-transition program. Gun safety advocates and community leaders are encouraged that Mayor Kenney is prioritizing gun violence prevention but feel the budget and the updated Roadmap to Safer Communities plan does not go far enough to stop the bloodshed as 458 Philadelphians have been shot in 2021 and this year is projected to be far more dangerous than 2020.

The Roadmap outlines that by 2023 the strategy aims to decrease gun violence homicides and shooting by 30% of the levels experienced in 2020. It is the feeling of the gun violence prevention movement that the administration should be aiming higher to save more human lives by relying less on policing tactics like Operation Pinpoint and more on evidence-based approaches like community-based programing. In FY21, the City invested $2.1 million in targeted community grants yet only approved 1 in 10 requests and capped grants at $20,000 which was inefficient to running large-scale intervention and prevention programs .

A group of over 40 community organizations will focus on healing our neighborhoods from the violence and trauma by advocating for an increase in funding for these vital targeted community investment grants. Gun safety advocates and community leaders are also advocating for more accountability within the Office of Violence Prevention so the city can assess the efficiencies of targeted community grants and expanded funding to proven life-saving solutions.

“We are calling on City Council to give community groups the resources they need to reach more high-risk populations and youth so we can give them the tools they need to survive, heal and grow,” said Kallel Edwards, Philadelphia Organizer for CeaseFirePA. “Philadelphia has created another generation of young people of color who are adversely affected by gun violence,” said Natasha Danielá de Lima McGlynn, MPA, interim Executive Director of the Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia. “This year, the city has already lost 14 children to gun violence. Nearly 80% of AVP's youth clients have witnessed community violence. Students have even seen their classmates being shot at during a Zoom class.

The Mayor's proposed budget fails to adequately support and protect our children and youth. Our Councilmembers need to show our youth that their lives matter with a magnitude of funding that meets the moment," finished McGlynn.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, November 20, 2020 CONTACT: Joel Wilson 267-238-2900 x3 joel.wilson@100blackmenphilly.org

100 Black Men Philadelphia Hosting Their Annual Youth Empowerment Programs to Mentor, Educate and Uplift Youth in Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA (November 16, 2020) – 100 Black Men Philadelphia, Inc.’s annual winter 2020 FREE programs: Collegiate 100 Virtual Conference (coed) 12/10 - 12/11/2020.

Our Open House for national coed programs Wells Fargo Sophomore Scholars Program (college freshmen and sophomores); Wells Fargo Junior Investment program (youth 6th to 12th grades); and Hands on Banking program (youth 6th to 12th grades).

Our male gender programs include Saturday Leadership Academy (boys grades 1st to 12th) and MANHOOD 101: Abundant Life Mentoring Program (young men 18 to 29) and run through June 2021 In partnership with Wells Fargo, State Farm Insurance, Ally Bank and many more the 100 will continue to establish and implement local programs to address career readiness among disenfranchised and disconnected students, increase the business acumen and competencies for participants in preparation for the workplace and marketplace and addresses the social, emotional, and cultural needs of our youth and young adults, ages 6-29.

“My name is Malachi Neal. I am a ninth grade student attending school in Philadelphia. In 2018, I became a 100 Black Men of America- Philadelphia Chapter mentee. The men at 100BMOA have taken time to show me positive ways to carry myself as a young Black male. They have shown an interest in making me better by giving me the chance to participate in activities such as an aviation tour and the African American History Challenge in Philadelphia and Las Vegas. Going to Vegas was amazing. I saw politicians, entrepreneurs and the rapper Common. I had a lot of fun. Being a mentee has allowed me to see Black men doing good things. When I needed a reference quickly for a school application, 100 BMOA came through for me.The news always shows us in a bad light. It's cool for me to see positive role models who have lots of different careers. When I get older, I know that I will have a support system to ask questions and get advice and resources. Having them in my life helps me know that I have that kind of support.”

“The Dollars and $ense competition was not only fun to participate in but enriching at the same time. Learning to manage our money at our age is essential for the future and I am glad this competition helped me learn more about finance.” - Melania Diah, “Dollars & Sense” Mentee, 15 years of age

More than (100) students, including over (50) youth from middle school to college, participate in our fall programs inclusive of workshops, group mentoring, and activities. Our youth have also heard and benefited from a diversity of life skills from over (12) guest speakers in a variety of professions..

This year’s sponsors included Wells Fargo, State Farm Insurance and Ally Bank. About 100 Black Men of Philadelphia, Inc. 100 Black Men Philadelphia has won the national 2020 Small Chapter of The Year Award and 2020 Trailblazer of the Year Award for our "Parent Academy" program. The current President, Mr. Joel Wilson will be completing his first year in office on December 31, 2020.

The Philly 100 was chartered in 1991 by Roland Jarvis and 25 other men who shared his vision and mission to make a difference. 100 Black Men Philadelphia, Inc. has five focus areas including mentoring, education, health and wellness, economic empowerment and leadership development. Their mission is to improve the quality of life within Philadelphia communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans. Since inception, the vision emerged and 25+ members impacting over 100 underserved, underrepresented minority youth annually in Philadelphia.

Visit www.100blackmenphilly.org for more information or 100bmp.eventbrite.com to register for programs and initiatives of 100 Black Men Philadelphia, Inc.

National outrage over the February shooting death of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery exploded this week after a leaked video captured his final moments on a suburban street in Brunswick, Georgia.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, and several social justice organizations have demanded a thorough investigation into Arbery’s death, saying it was racially motivated.

In Atlanta, the chair of the empowerment nonprofit, 100 Black Men of America, Inc., is in the process of drafting a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr calling for intervention. Thomas Dortch presides over the national organization and spoke with “Morning Edition” host Lisa Rayam about the white men he refers to as vigilantes