>> The nation grapples with addressing gun violence as more mass shootings make headlines preventing community violence is the goal of an initiative and the Lexington Mayor's office and a well-known community activist is making positive inroads with you.

A conversation with activists and musical artist and director of one Lexington Devine, comma, that's now on connections.

♪ ♪ >> Thank you for joining us for connections today.

I'm Renee Shaw, a recent Wall Street Journal article released just this week reports that violence among children has soared across the country since 2020.

>> It's a reversal of a years long decline in youth crime.

The report goes on to say that the number of killings committed by kids under the age of 14 was the highest in 2 decades.

And that's according to the most recent federal data is Lexington experiencing that same troubling trend.

Recent statistics by the Lexington Mayor's office points to the effectiveness of an initiative called one Lexington that in 2020 to help bring a 50% reduction and youth and young adult gun-related homicides.

Joining me to talk about one Lexington and much more is divine Koroma who directs that program and has been a longtime community activist and friend of connections.

Good to see you.

Use less happy New Year to you of his jolly who you are busy and and looking good in your suit because you've got things to do today.

So we appreciate all your Denver So >> you just heard me say that across the country.

I mean, if the time that we recorded this interview, we have had 2 mass shootings in the same day.

Yeah, this the day after and so this is a top of mind for so many folks and particularly when it comes to our youth.

Yes.

So talk to us about the situation in Lexington.

What does it look like?

>> So really, I'm coming out of the pandemic.

It look a lot like other places, A lot of these underserved youth that we work with a lot of what they got was in the structure of school.

A lot they're only square meal was this cooldown, Lee positive interactions West School.

And then when the pandemic hit all of those resources that those underserved kids who are already potentially in that cycle of violence, we essentially snatched away from them for 2 years, right?

And so coming out of that pandemic, we believe that's one of the reasons we've seen this national What we've done in Lexington is we've connected with our community partners because it's not just one Lexington, but it's all our community partners.

And we were very intentional about working with our youth and young adults.

And I think that's why we're starting to see progress said.

>> So talk to us about what you're actually doing this on a lot of people ears perked up when they heard about a 50% reduction.

Yeah, and youth related crimes and so in homicides.

So what exactly are you doing?

>> What makes I guess gun violence reduction unique is you have to be hands on front lines and you have to be touching those individuals who are in a cycle of violence or potentially entering that cycle.

There's no way around it.

It's not pretty And we don't really get to talk about the specifics as much as we like because of who were working with and how understand one thing we do is crisis response.

So when a young person is involved directly impacted by gun violence, how are we as a city responding today, individual because the statistics tell us that if they've been in the cycle of violence, they most likely will stay a re enter if they are not directly engaged.

And so its youth mediation, its schools calling me and saying, hey, I've got 2 kids from 2 different neighborhoods that are be fun.

This could get bad.

So that's one myself.

Community partners come in and engage.

We go out to the community, serve neighborhoods that have been impacted by gun violence.

We do a lot of mentoring programs within the school system.

And so it's it's not just the intervention.

Batiste prevention piece, right, right, right.

Yeah.

We often talk about it on the other side and we just had a conversation about.

>> Juvenile justice on our program.

Yeah, I hear it.

KG and a lot of people were saying we've got to get involved well before they get into that prison pipeline, right?

You have to you have to do that.

So I want to ask you about your partner's because you've always been one to acknowledge that you don't do this work alone.

Sure.

Who's helping you?

>> I hate to get into names.

You're not going to be OK because there's so many and I'm sure there's a few that I miss.

But we even work the UK trauma Center.

We connect with them.

Election rescue mission that directly reaches out to gunshot victims as they come into the trauma unit to leave, have working relationship with the UK hospital.

Fayette County Public Schools has opened their doors to us and community partners to come in with preventative programming because that's one of 2 controlled spaces you can get to the youth.

One is prison.

One is a school.

We'd rather get to him in school than in prison.

I think of organizations like Swagg with 2 sisters.

Yes, working against gun violence and tiny Lindsay has that effort, right?

Peer support us.

You try.

She is.

I'm literally shed blood in this fight, losing a son to gun violence and now she's turned that pain into purpose.

I think of our been impacting the woodhill community center.

I Omak I made I think the Rafiki which is headed by Alicia, who does a lot of good work with the Congolese immigrant I Lexington Police Department, the sheriffs we work with TV feeds too works in a treatment.

Court program is just so many that my work, I think of yet.

And the boys movement in the list goes so many great organizations, individuals part of this fight.

>> Have you had to address the mindset because there are some who just think that the correction rehabilitation.

Is not always the most prudent.

Yeah.

Way to go.

That there should be some tough love.

Yeah.

And that kids should suffer the consequences.

Where are you?

And that spectrum and I don't want this to seem like I'm trying to escape the question.

I got to say, I'm not, you know, I'll always KET it real.

But I just believe that in order to >> see the games that we want to see.

The solutions are probably going to be in the spaces of gray.

And what I'm finding is a lot of people lean on this side or this side.

We've seen in politics right when the true solutions, maybe when we come together and so to directly answer your question, data tells us that you can incarcerate your way too.

A safer community.

Like long term.

You can't do that.

The data suggests that.

So I can understand not wanting to just lock everybody up for everything.

However, we also know that in gun violence.

Accountability is important because oftentimes it's the same individuals that are driving this violence.

And so I think that's an opportunity for alternative programming, right?

Give these judges an alternative sentencing What is in place for if we're going to limit their sentence, what programs are in place when they come out.

So I think of re-entry work as well.

I think that there's a space for those 2 ideologies to come together.

We can hold them accountable.

But we've got to have something.

we can't just let him out.

And so I think if we start thinking that way like hack, when we come together, I think that's where you find better solutions.

>> I want to go back to something that we mentioned the very beginning is that that one Lexington is proving along with your community partners and other organizations to really make an impact positively when it comes intervening in youth violence, gun violence.

So talk to us about these numbers and we know that you're going to be making a presentation about the success of one Lexington, what are the main bullet points that go to your success?

Yeah, I think >> When I took over the job in 2021, I think we're halfway through 2021.

I've missed the I use a laugh and tell my wife, I don't know what I'm the director of Kuz's just But we have limited capacity.

But we were still able to make a marginal impact because of our partnerships.

But when the council and the mayor really start to put in some support a full now we have a staff is 3 of us.

That's when we really started to turn things around.

And so I think for us it's just been intentional.

That's it.

We never really had a program that intentionally focused on you.

2 are most vulnerable to gun violence.

And so whether it's mental health, I know domestic starting to spike in the mayor's doing some things in that sector.

If you are intentional and bringing all these pieces together and I'll close with this on that point that we found that a lot of these organizations weren't And so that was a space for one Lexington to be that convener to be that I'm kind of breeds that brings in pool some of these entities together and then they realize, wait a minute, you got what we need.

We got what you need and then services were coming a lot because this is life and death.

This work right?

And so there's not time for bureaucracies.

Not time for confusion.

>> So I do one of those give you some props, though, because you are a known entity.

Yeah.

All throughout Laxton Central Kentucky.

I mean, even Kentucky come on and and people know your heart.

And so I think when the mayor made a very a wise decision and hiring you for that because you were already at the grassroots level.

So there was interest already with the community that might not have been the success.

That assessment of calm if they've been somebody else as the face of this program.

>> I appreciate that.

And I tried my best to leverage relationships I've built over the years and trust that again to pull people because it was tough at the beginning.

But that's what I really leverage the most.

>> And and and kids are seeing you in the schools and they're seeing it.

The communities.

I mean, you've been to my church, even every church, right?

I mean, you are connected in a way that sometimes we don't see administrators being connected right?

>> And I've had a lot of people tell me I can be as connected, but then when I talk to my she says, you know, who would actually, you know, obviously, you continue to evolve in your position.

But if being hands on being is what got you to this is what motivated community partners to galvanize.

She was like, you just do it your way.

It may look a little different than other administrators, but, you know, I think that's how that made me.

So I think I'll stick with this to stick with that idea.

>> What is it that a lot of us may not understand about the kids.

You're trying to protect.

Yeah.

Circumstances.

I think that's the biggest thing.

I think when we see a snapshot, a mug shot, we see a news headline.

>> And rightfully so when we think of a victim of a crime, right?

That is what we're focused on.

But I don't think people understand what a lot of these young people have had to wind or from a mental health standpoint.

Trauma untreated trauma, think that's the biggest thing.

And just the conditions that a lot of these kids have been raised.

and not just the drivers of violence but even victims, right.

And just becoming numb to it.

And so I think, you know, people need to understand these are didn't have a choice early on.

And now as they're growing up, they're getting more choices.

But the trying to navigate what's been instilled versus what they're capable of being.

And we're trying to help them to navigate the right way.

Right.

The best way to look at.

>> How much is poverty?

A factor?

>> And not obviously the very surface level ways, right?

Just fue health care, mental health, excessive, you know, says ability stress, trauma.

But I even think of something like this When you get a low level offense, let's say you get arrested right?

One way you combined out is to own a home.

You own a home you're able to put that up.

You're able to bond out.

And the statistics tell us that the chances of you going back to jail getting a more lenient sentence to get the opportunity to maybe get some support for addiction or alternative programming is a lot higher when you can go in front of that from the in your with your lawyer, with the family there, then if you are going in front of a judge while incarcerated, so even when we look at effects from the very high level to very low level.

So when we talk about systemic things, that is what we're talking about.

>> And that's going to my next question of what racism?

Yeah.

And about how you are taking that on and the scope of your work.

Yeah.

>> Well, for I've indoor Dre says own.

On my job.

And so it's a stark reminder as a black man.

It don't matter how much you making.

It doesn't matter what your position is.

It is something that you're going to have to face.

And so I'm being reminded of that each and every day and informs my Our kids are dealing with it.

A lot of the families that we serve are still dealing with it overtly, but also systemically.

And so also continuing that work and trying to be a between government between public safety and law enforcement and communities who has historically don't trust him.

And the thing about a breeze, somebody told me as you get walked on both sides, right?

So it is not easy, right?

But I think it's important and so trying to find responsible ways to be that breeze.

>> So when it comes to law enforcement, we have a chief of color is or you caught in constant contact with him about how you make this work for the community.

Yeah.

>> we have and I have probably a 2 or 3 times a month.

I'm constantly talking about these each issues leaning on one another and how to navigate any kind of given him some advice from a community perspective.

He given me more context from a law enforcement perspective and then seeing what we can come together because we're never going to see the games.

We want to see.

And to those more trust and a better relationship between communities of color and law enforcement.

And I'm not talking about enforcement.

I'm talking about just a better community relationship.

And so those are definitely conversations.

We have regularly.

He's great.

>> Yeah, here's and we've had him on the program before as many times chief weather's.

So let's let's talk a little bit about your community active and there's never enough time we thought about half an hour with that.

We have plenty of time and time.

We do have plenty of time because, you know, when I've had you on this problem before you were the director, you know, you have done so much good in the community from coat drives and being involved in and disaster mitigation helping particularly Eastern Kentucky.

And and so I want to show since this is the week, the time that we taped this interview, this would be the 6 month mark of the Eastern Kentucky floods.

so nothing is ever by coincidence, folks.

But this is a great video by divine Koroma that we're going to share with you rotate.

>> No rain started last night and as one person said, it was ending steady all the way into the rivers.

In creek banks, homes, businesses.

And on 2, 0, they came and got my Do you make one in my car board wasn't the community has really come be.

A brand and a lot of families to get some do not use the dotted and the t's and rain to snow come down in the water.

when the last of it.

So we got to come together as outcome of the election.

season to play.

You needs to big it is until the league from House leaders pledge is that the places in the bottom line is we can sing them and what we can give This is the natural disaster that, again, this is the only way just fine >> it's you.

He might billion a billion to be easy.

Native West Point has not been an easy one.

Little legs in a smack in the middle will be sleeves and it want to in houses on to the next 3 on the list.

But being able to dig a little media that he's a great family, seemed to rebound like to see spills into the woods ramp.

That >> The villain in the and businesses that might see as many kids.

And the love from it's you.

He might peace and love to all of my brothers assist our to write that.

>> Just an hour from now.

I mean, I just want to know your process because the if people are listening to what you're saying.

>> Yeah, it.

Yeah, it's funny we were in a a time where everything's kind of microwave.

You know, take Todd a little bit more simplistic, but I come up in the era of hip-hop where degree of difficulty was content.

And I laugh with some of the the young kids that's are they love it.

But they like yo, you begin Super D. >> That's a lot like I got to listen for 5 times a day.

>> I'm not dumbing down maintaining art Tuesday credibility but also want to get a message to where people can understand it.

So.

>> Yeah, I mean, seriously for we look at the year that Kentucky has had when it comes to natural disasters, as you just said on the West and on the east.

And then here's Lexington and Louisville in the middle.

And we've had our own issues, right?

Right.

And so, you know, it's a message that but we fight still.

So for all those who are outside of Kentucky, you watch this video by this young black man about loving Kentucky.

Enough to fight for.

That's right.

You hope they get that message.

>> I do because I we look at on a bigger level.

You look at our country, right?

Our country is not perfect.

Other countries may look at us and they may wonder why we have such a love for our country.

When they see how different pockets are treated sometimes.

But it's part of that love is the accountability for it.

But then the that you can continue to perfect it, which is what our ancestors of all races did.

So why should I be any different, right?

You can hold accountable.

You can fight for it to be better but love it.

At the same time.

And as I feel about Kentucky.

>> it asking was that did our good friend produced this video yes, okay.

Be brought to Turner.

Yes.

And I think he's a lazy sleeping on his desk.

Oh, yeah, I see him today.

I know, right?

He's out doing what he Turner are these The phrase one of the best.

So it set out to him.

So I do want to talk to because you have not just been active in Lexington, but you did this massive coat drive.

Yes, every year and seems like every year it gets bigger.

You're going to have to buy your own semi or something or somebody up to donate one for you.

Got it.

You always get it.

Worked out though.

>> We this year than the was massive, as you say, coming out of the Obviously the tornadoes not been that long ago this year we had the most request we ever had.

We normally give away about 2500 brand new coaching year Central Kentucky in eastern Kentucky.

This year we 5,000 requests how we ended up giving away the most coats we every game.

>> So you had 5,000 requests requested.

I think we hit about the ones that we were unable to give they would because schools ordered like 100.

So we may not a game.

Now.

300 but may maybe give them 100.

Yeah.

We still got to touch pretty much everybody that requested or close to it.

And so really is not even a believe in it forever.

Coat Drive anymore has turned into a community coat drive because there's so many people they join us every year and it like you said, it just keeps getting bigger.

Why do you do that?

It's it was a simple thing.

Was just driving to work.

I'm seeing some young kids, elementary school kids that didn't have coached.

I remember, you know, young out a window, you know, where's your coat?

And I remember one.

The kids responded.

My mom says I got to wait a few more chicks before I get my coat and it was like 10 degrees out.

And then I started to remember when I was a single father struggling sleeping on air mattresses and how.

The most simplest things were hard to get, right.

And so it just really took me back to that.

And I say, you know, this is something you can do to get back.

So that's how started really small.

9 years later.

Here we are.

Well, over 20,000, brand-new coats and that news.

Well, yeah, and I started that.

Yeah.

Yeah.

>> So is believing in forever.

Still a functioning.

It is.

So a lot of my efforts are geared towards one Lexington.

So really the only thing we do do believing if ever is the yearly coat drive and then obviously Luna Library.

Yeah.

And I'm talking about that.

Yeah.

Talk about where February.

That's right.

Every way.

And so my daughter passed away in She got in a car wreck and she was really big on diversity, equity and inclusion.

And so in memory of her, we started the Luna Library, which now has a physical location at the Russell Cave, LAX in the public and it is all books of black character leads and black history.

So kids of all races can come out and it was really started in 2020 so they can gain the context of what was going on in the country.

Right.

Eye and what better way to do that?

I'm going to read.

And so today still thriving.

And so we're still putting investments into more Luna libraries.

We that will pop up.

>> How you getting your books?

You need people to donate.

>> They do.

We do.

I'm always with 501.

C 3.

So people can believing it forever dot and they can just go to the donate button or they can drop off books.

We prefer brand new books, but we take use books as long as they're black history focus.

A black character leads.

They can drop them off the loud Lexington, Art League.

Absolute.

Yeah.

Yeah.

>> Winds taking some he always in a book.

That's right.

We always need books.

And so I think about, you know, that that story about the kid in 10 degree weather.

Yeah.

And said my mom says I just got to wait a few more checks.

Yeah.

>> How was that kid?

Like 10 years or 10 years at elementary year-old kid.

And that even doubles back to what I said about circumstances.

When asked about what people don't know about this fight.

>> That single mom had to decide whether to feed her kids are to get a coat and those are real circumstances that people are living through.

And so that is one of 4 forms are working to informed care approach right?

>> And for people who may question with otherness just needs to do better.

>> I wish it was that easy because I was that mother 1.2 thousand five, I'm working and doing the best I could.

And still it wasn't enough.

And so I understand sometimes you've got to be down to understand what it feels like to be down before we were judgmental of of other folks.

Yeah.

>> Well, divine.

We never have enough time.

I know God bless you, brother.

They always say that to you after we finish our conversation.

Thank you.

As I just feel so at a 5 by talking to you and I hope our viewers do as well.

Well, I love the real deal and to you.

I appreciate it as our Yahoo.

You're the real deal.

Appreciate that.

>> Devine, comma.

>> Renaissance hip-hop artist activists, director of one Lexington here in Kentucky.

If you want to know more about one Lexington, you can go on the Lexington Dot K Y dot Gov site.

Learn more about that.

>> Believing in forever.

He mentioned check that out as well.

Particularly if you want to donate to the Luna librarian know when the coat drives are happening.

Thank you so very much for watching.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Also you each week night for Kentucky.

Addition 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central right here on KET.

Stay in the know with what's happening in your community and your commonwealth.

We are your connector and I'll see you really, really saying take good care.

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