The grass roots campaign aims to reduce violence among African-American youth.

ST. PETERSBURG – As the “Not My Son” campaign reaches its first birthday, city officials are ready to announce new programs.

Those new programs include a youth program development grant funding opportunity for non-profit organizations serving at-risk youth in St. Petersburg.

A more detailed announcement as well as a report on the My Brother’s and Sister’s Keeper Initiative is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday (Aug. 4) at the Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave S. A “Not My Son” community canvass led by Faith Church and the Rev. J.C. Pritchett II will immediately follow the event.

The “Not My Son” program is one of several under the umbrella My Brother’s and Sister’s Keeper Initiative, proposed by St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. It’s based on an initiative launched by former President Barack Obama called My Brother’s Keeper designed to help young people reach their full potential. The St. Petersburg program expanded to include girls.

Among My Brother’s and Sister’s Keeper programs are the Cohort of Champions, a program focused on improving educational and economic outcomes for African-American males ages
12-24, and a recent girls conference called “Just Be U!”

The “Just be U!” Girls Conference involved nearly 130 middle schools girls from summer parks and recreation center programs. The day’s events included social media and personal branding, physical and mental health awareness. The conference also featured a fashion show and performances.

For information about My Brother’s and Sister’s Keeper, go to stpete.org.

Rick Kriseman | Not My Son | My Brother’s and Sister’s Keeper | Government | Tampa Bay News | Tampa Bay Reporter

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