Team Revolution Hosts Local Youth Speak Out Event
By Dara Mormile

Divine Bradley

Energy soared inside the auditorium of Canarsie High School last Satur-day where hundreds of students gathered for a Youth Speak Out hosted by Team Revolution. The event demonstrated that when young people come together to make a positive change, the results can be powerful.

Team Revolution, the local youth-based, youth-led organization dedicated to producing leaders in the community, encouraged community teenagers to speak out on issues that directly af-fect them, like violence, school prob-lems and gang control.

Bradley became actively involved in his community because he wanted to stir the interests of teens and create a positive community for them.

Today, he uses his East 87 Street home as a recreation center for Team Revolution, which he spawned nearly four years ago. The youth-led, non-pro-fit organization gives teens from ages 13-25 an outlet to be creative and change their community.

Bradley began working with an or-ganization called the Hip Hop Project. He was then given an opportunity to work with Youth Venture. The organization’s card reads, "Dream it—do it." This idea sparked his thinking. The Youth Project offered to help him start his own mission.

Team Revolution is a deep philosophy, says Bradley. It gives teenagers ways to express themselves, such as painting murals and having access to a recording studio, as some effective ways to keep busy. The young entrepreneur speaks their language and strives to make Canarsie into an even better place for teens. Bradley has also collaborated on projects with celebrities like Bruce Willis and Russell Simmons.

The May 1 forum was filled with optimistic voices. Most importantly, teens were given opportunities to speak out on their personal concerns.

"I started a whole business at the age of 17," Team Revolution founder Divine Bradley told teens. "And my business was to create an organization for young people living in this community so they don’t have to be in the streets because they’re bored...How many of you are bored?"

The crowd roared with applause, gaining encouragement from the 21-year-old entrepreneur whose goal is simply to reach out to Canarsie’s youth and give them positive ways to change their lives.

Guest speakers included Team Re-volution’s Asheena Walton, Carlos Wal-ton, a youth advocate, Betty Davis, a Canarsie High School teacher, Supa Nova Slom a recording artist and ho-listic educator and Minister Kevin Mu-hammad.

Enthusiastic students stood at the front of the auditorium, facing hundreds of their peers and took two minutes to broach a topic of their choice. Some expressed their feelings about gang vio-lence.

One student said. "Instead of hanging out on the streets, we have to hang out with each other."

"Family units aren’t strong enough," said another student. "Gangs offer that family structure. When a family doesn’t have that, they’re going to look for it somewhere else."

Carlos Walton emphasized the im-portance of education.

"I want you to look to your left...I want you to look to your right. One of your brothers here are going to be lock-ed up," Walton said. "The schools of America exist to prepare you for this society and if you want to elevate, you have to tune in."

Many teens expressed animosity for security guards who they said harass them and complained about having to go through metal detectors at school. Students also said that these safety measures create a disturbing atmosphere. "We’re not in prison, here" one student said.

Supa Nova Slom motivated the young crowd with advice on health. He encouraged teens not to frequent the nearby fast food restautrants.

"Take care of your body and yourself – make this a healthy black community," he said.

Councilman Lew Fidler and State Senator John Sampson applauded the teens for being a part of the event, sponsored by the Canarsie High School PTA, Polo Co. and others. Teens demonstrated to them that they care about their future.

Fidler was passionate about the turn out and thanked everyone for being part of the event.

"Some of the other speakers were saying ‘There’s hope for tomorrow,’ and I disagree," he said. "I see hope for NOW."

He also encouraged teens to join him at City Hall for a summer jobs rally that was held yesterday.

The Youth Speak Out event offered teens more than just a Saturday afternoon of entertainment. It ascertained that Canarsie’s future is bright, vibrant and engorged with young people who really want to initiate a stronger community.

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