Art in a message: Youth summit addresses gun violence

MECKLENBURG COUNTY

The March 29 Peace Builders Youth Summit will include artistic messaging at five Mecklenburg County locations against violence.

A youth violence prevention summit is using art in its messaging.

The March 29 Peace Builders Youth Summit at West Charlotte Recreation Center at 2401 Kendall Road, brings together young people to discuss solutions to gun violence. As part of a campaign to raise awareness, Mecklenburg County partnered with Arts and Science Council, as well as commissioned artwork to promote gun violence prevention under the theme “Violence Free Begins With Me.” The summit is 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

“Gun violence impacts all of us and we all feel the collective loss,” deputy county manager Leslie Johnson said in a statement. “The images are powerful, and it is clear that we all have a role to play in preventing gun violence in our community.” The art will promote discussions, said Dr. Kimberly Scott, Mecklenburg County’s assistant health director.

“The Office of Violence Prevention’s Peace-Builders Youth Summit will provide an opportunity for our teens to raise awareness and help us craft solutions for preventing violence.” The community event is held in collaboration with Survivors Nation, a non-profit that supports gun violence survivors and educates the public on the impact of gun violence, and Alliance for Safety and Justice.

In 2022, North Carolina ranked 12th in the nation for gun homicide. According to a report published by the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University using 2022 data, Black people were 10 times more likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police report shootings involving a young suspect increased by 33%, while shootings involving a young victim increased by 18% in 2023.

In response to a question about the impact this event will have on future gun violence policies and safety. Dr. Kimberly Scott spoke with The Charlotte post saying, “Public Health's Office of Violence Prevention is committed to bringing awareness to this important issue. Community violence, especially gun violence, impacts so much more than the path of a bullet.  We must address community violence as a public health threat.”

The art event will include speakers who discuss their personal experiences with gun violence and policy solutions that support survivors. The art will be on display at five Park and Recreation locations:

• Arbor Glen Recreation Center, 1520 Clanton Road – “Inherent Dignity” 

• West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2402 Kendall Drive – “Am I Next?” 

• Sugaw Creek Recreation Center, 943 W. Sugar Creek Road – “Growth Not Guns” 

• Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center, 2921 Tuckaseegee Road – “Seeding Hope” 

• Revolution Sports Academy and Park, 1225 Remount Road – “Out of the Streets, Into the Fields”

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