T.I. discusses his own platform called "Stop Teen on Teen Violence" for At Risk Programs in collaboration with It’s Cool To Be Smart & The Music Education Group

For It's Cool To Be Smart, it goes beyond the Grammy winning Hip-Hop artist T.I. that we all know. For this organization, it's about acknowledging "Mr. Harris" a person whom for the past six years has consistently committed his time to national youth organizations across the country. It's Cool To Be Smart will look at more than just community hours for T.I. and concentrate on the positive impact he will have on the youth he encounters during his time with them.  According to Curtis B., Executive Director of It's Cool To Be Smart, "other than music, I believe TIP really loves and enjoys working with the youth of America and it's really a blessing to witness his interactions with them."

The new platform for at risk boys will be called "Stop Teen on Teen Violence" and will be headed by T.I. and overseen by It's Cool To Be Smart in collaboration with the Music Education Group. This platform will aim to lower overall rates of incarceration of young men and repeat offenders from entering back into the criminal justice system in Atlanta and other partnering cities across the country.

On Monday March 31st, Mr. Harris had powerful discussions that inspired and motivated young men involved in at risk programs at the Inner Harbour for Children and Families and the Carver Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta.

While at the Inner Harbour facility, Mr. Harris addressed the youth on topics centered on managing their anger and walking away from negative influences and environments. Mr. Ric Ross of the Music Education Group arranged the platform for the day along with Curtis B. of It's Cool To Be Smart. T.I. also attended the Carver Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta and clearly informed the youth about what is "entertainment" versus "reality". T.I. stated, "what you see in videos and what you listen to is just entertainment but what I am talking to you about today about gang prevention, positive reintegration into the community and school, establishing a positive pattern of behaviour, and allowing yourself to trust positive people is real!"

It's Cool To Be Smart will also be partnering with established Boys and Girls Clubs and other programs that have at risk projects for boys in the following cities: Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, New Orleans, Philadelphia and New York.  The at risk platform with T.I. will also involve supporters such as actor Anwan Glover from "The Wire" and "Law & Order", Hot 107.9 Radio Personality "Pezo In Da Crib" along with Screen Writer/Author and It's Cool To Be Smart board member Antwone Fisher, just to name a few. 

Credits: Kim Ellis & Emma Dawson

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