The Derrick Brooks Charities Youth Programs took fifteen (15) youth, three (3) chaperons, five (5) volunteers and two (2) staff members to the 33rd National Conference On Preventing Crime In The Black Community sponsored by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and co-sponsored by Derrick Brooks Charities and the Florida Consortium of Urban League Affiliates. The conference was hosted by Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams, and many state and local agencies were listed as supporters. The three-day conference focused on avoiding social media pitfalls, preventing school shootings, and improving police and community relations. To that end, the conference empowered youth to take responsibility for their schools and communities. Over 1350 attendees, including, 520 youth, attended the conference representing fourteen (14) states. DBCYP Executive Director has been a member of the planning committee for over twenty years and is responsible for selecting national speakers, law enforcement personnel and community-based organizations to conduct workshops at the conference so attendees can take back information to empower their communities. Three DBCYP Volunteers, Diedrea Anthony, Rev. Arthur Green and Retired HCSO Lt. Karl Davis conducted workshops. Two of youth that attended were Tamia Brooks who stated that what she learned from the conference was “don’t let anyone take away your respect. The A,B,C’s mean your Attitude, Behavior & Conduct. College is not about smart people, it’s about committed people. People who are dedicated and focused on their future, will reach the top. Nicholas Carlton who stated that what he learned from the conference was to always remember to monitor your choice of words carefully. Ask before you assume you know something. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Empower and encourage yourself in your words. Realize that once you’ve said something it can be taken back and go where you’re celebrated not tolerated.
