CHARLOTTE, N.C. – With more incidents of gang violence, students taking weapons to school and getting into fights, the search for answers to solve teen violence has become a focal point in a number of communities in and around Charlotte. Why do some teens turn to violence? What can young people tell us on ways to prevent it? These are some of the questions that will be tackled at Girl Talk Foundation, Inc.’s second Teen Summit: Youth Violence and Gangs, Thursday, February 7, 2008, 5:30-7:30pm at the West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2400 Kendall Drive.  Panelists will include Detective Gary McFadden of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, former gang members and Girl Talk participants. WPEG-FM, Power 98 radio personalities Janine Davis, No Limit Larry and Tone X will host the event for teen boys and girls.

Girl Talk will host a series of teen summits in various neighborhoods throughout the year (May 22nd, August 21st and October 16th) that will focus on resolving some of the issues facing teens including gangs, dating violence and substance abuse. During the teen summit last October, of those surveyed 51% admitted they had friends who were in gangs, 21% admitted they had been approached by a gang either in school or their neighborhood. As possible deterrents to violence, teens suggested more community activities like skate parties, midnight basketball or more even teen summits.

Executive Director and founder of Girl Talk Foundation, Inc. Janine Davis says, “These teen summits are important because as parents, community advocates and leaders we ask why our teens act so poorly. We very seldom reach out to teens to get answers from them. The summits create this opportunity for real dialogue and some direction from our youth.”

The Teen Summit: Youth Violence and Gangs open forum will also include several agencies will be on hand to provide useful resources and other information for teens including Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Youth At Risk, Stratford-Richardson YMCA, Chemical Dependency Center, The Males Place and Gang of One. The event is free and is open to girls and boys between the ages of 11 and 17.  This event is sponsored jointly by Girl Talk Foundation, Inc., Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation and WPEG-FM, Power 98.

About Girl Talk Foundation, Inc.

Girl Talk Foundation, Inc. is a character-building program and youth network for girls ages 11-16 whose mission is to empower today’s girls to become leaders of tomorrow’. The goal is to encourage positive and critical thinking, promote self-respect, teach life skills and develop leaders.

Photo Op: 

Thursday, February 7
Teen girls and boys talking openly about gangs
6-7:30pm @ West Charlotte Recreation Center
2400 Kendall Drive

 Interview Op:

• Janine Davis, radio WPEG radio personality and Executive Director of Girl Talk Foundation, Inc.
• Detective Gary McFadden, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
• Isaac Applewhite, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department
• Various Girl Talk participants (girls ages 11-16)