Martin Luther King III
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Violence Is Uncool & Unacceptable
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Violence Is A Public Health Issue
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Violence Is Uncool & Unacceptable

1:00 p.m. -- 2:00 p.m. 

This panel will begin with a relevant performance presentation by Youth Ensemble of Atlanta (YEA).  It will feature youth while exploring the pitfalls of engaging in violent behavior.  Topics of discussion will range from bullying to teen dating violence.  It will be moderated by 14-year-old Mary Pat Hector who is the founder of National Action Network's Youth in Action (YIA).  It will feature a presentation and one-on-one dialogue with film and recording artist Tyrese Gibson who will bring words of encouragement to the youth.

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 Tyrese Gibson is an L.A. native whose self-titled debut album quickly propelled him to the top of the charts.  Smooth-voiced R&B crooner “Tyrese” immediately stood out from the pack, thanks to the remarkable honesty of his songwriting, his alluring passion, and his self-assured style behind the microphone. It was at the age of 14 that a series of wins on the local talent circuit gave the up-and-coming singer his first enticing taste of success, with a Coca Cola commercial providing the breakthrough that would soon propel him to release his debut album in 1998. After making his acting debut with a small role in acclaimed filmmaker Julie Dash's made-for-television drama Love Song, the singer-turned-actor jumped headlong into features, as the protagonist of John Singleton's Boyz 'N the Hood follow-up, Baby Boy. Cast as an urban mama's boy whose staunch refusal to leave the nest eventually stifles his transition into adulthood, Tyrese offered just the right mixture of naïveté and street-tough bravado to draw audiences in, while showing notable promise for the future. With two films, a hit album, and a series of television appearances in such series as Martin and Moesha under his belt, Tyrese returned to the music scene for his sophomore effort, {^2000 Watts}, before jumping into the driver's seat for the 2003 film 2 Fast 2 Furious. The following year Tyrese kept the action moving at a clip with a supporting role in Flight of the Phoenix before opting for more dramatic roles in director Justin Lin's Annapolis and former collaborator John Singleton's family-themed revenge drama Four Brothers. A supporting role in Better Luck Tomorrow director Justin Lin's Navy boxing misfire Annapolis was quickly followed by another headline performance as an ex-convict struggling to get his son back after his vehicle is carjacked with the boy still inside in the 2006 action thriller Waist Deep.


At nine-years-old, Mary-Pat Hector learned of the frightening statistics affecting the youth in this country and made a commitment to becoming an activist to shed light on youth -issues. She became the youngest playwright and director to ever put on an all youth sold out production for her play entitled “East Street Ain’t Easy” that returns to production this summer and is also the title of her first book. The play/novel explores the topic of child cruelty, sexual abuse and bullying.  When Mary Pat was ten-years-old she founded Youth in Action and began to mobilize young people across the country to take a stand on issues like bullying, gun-violence and drugs. In addition to her duties as founder & spokesperson for Youth in Action, she is National Youth Director of National Action Network Youth Move, the organization founded by civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton.  Mary-Pat speaks throughout the country educating youth on violence and other issues crippling her generation. In a recent speech in Washington, DC Mary Pat spoke of jobs for young people and providing programs across the country for them as alternatives to gang involvement and violence.  Through National Action Network Mary Pat provides teen-safety workshops for schools and trains teens and college students in many areas of youth advocacy techniques. Not content to rest on her accomplishments, Mary-Pat travels an average of 4,000 miles a month speaking at high schools, colleges, conferences, woman’s events, and crisis shelters across the U.S.  She recently spearheaded the national “Shake off the Violence” Tour urging youth to put down guns.  Mary Pat has many accolades including awards from President Barack Obama for Community service, the 100 Black Men of DeKalb for Outstanding Youth Activism, and she received the 2011 Woman of Power Award during NAN’s 20th Anniversary national convention which was presented by President Obama’s Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett.  Mary-Pat was a National winner for Kohl’s Kids Who Care and has received numerous awards and national recognition for her philanthropy throughout the country. She has been featured on C-SPAN, CNN, Rolling Out Magazine and regularly does local radio and television stations across the country.


Twenty seven year old, Angel Ponce, grew up in one of the toughest neighborhoods of Houston, Texas. At age 10, he joined a neighborhood street gang and became highly involved with drugs and gang related crime. After a horrible automotive wreck his life changed forever. At Age 20 he made the decision to leave the gang behind. Today, he has removed 90% of his gang related tattoos, has completed 60 plus college credits and is majoring in entrepreneurship and with a minor in bodybuilding physical training.  Angel has spoken to thousands of youth and adults about his life and ways to make a change in Texas, California and Tennessee.




Youth Ensemble of Atlanta (YEA)
is an Atlanta-based organization that fosters the personal growth of hundreds of young people from childhood to adulthood. Along the way, these talented and dedicated performers develop crucial communication and life skills that result in heightened cultural awareness, a commitment to excellence and community service, an appreciation for diversity, and self confidence and self-esteem. The professional arena in which the members of YEA work truly provides an atmosphere for tremendous personal growth and development. YEA members not only gain valuable performance training and experience, but also attain a strong sense of confidence, self-discipline, and heightened self-esteem. These accomplishments can be treasured and utilized to obtain rewards that might otherwise seem unobtainable.  YEA’s 21 Years of transformational work has included international cultural exchange performances on four different continents.  Working with companies around the globe, since 2000, YEA has taken more than 60 youth to perform in South Africa, Holland and Belgium. YEA has also brought artists and organizations from these countries to Atlanta to work with members of the ensemble. YEA is continuing to collaborate with other artistic partners across the ocean. In the Winter of 2009, YEA took 45 youth and performed in China at the invitation of the Chinese government. YEA has been recognized for its work by the President’s Committee on the Arts (2008 Coming Up Taller Awards Winner), Georgia Black Business Awards (2010 Nonprofit of the Year), City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office, and winner of the VITA Award for Best Overall Production at the 2000 Windybrow Arts Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa.  YEA has performed for the Trumpet Awards and the Atlanta Hawks’ Tribute to Maynard Jackson while sharing the stage with Bobby McFerrin, Shirley Caesar and Smokie Norful.  Our performers have received Emmys and Grammys and perform on Broadway, television, in major films and on numerous professional stages in the U.S. and Europe.



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