Crisis Mediation Education Program
Sidewalk University is in the business of taking the positive message of hope back where it's needed, to the streets. The knowledge of how to implement change in the minds and the actions of gang members and in members of the community at large comes from the real life experiences of Mr. T Rodgers. T Rodgers built his Los Angeles gang one member at a time. Now he has dedicated himself to undoing the damage, helping one person at a time. His unique transformation from gang leader to community advocate is based upon years of experience in the heart of the gang lifestyle.
We are committed to teaching people how to avoid becoming 'professional victims' and how to keep young people from making the same mistakes that T made. Another critical component of the programs is teaching parents how to prevent their children from joining gangs and pursuing a life of crime.
Sidewalk University was first organized in 1975 as a community based consulting company which grew into a strategy and organizing agency. Now it provides services such as workshops and seminars for the community and teaches the employees and members of organizations such as the Federal, State, County, and City Government agencies, churches, and school districts.
What We Do:
Educate our families, particularly those who have children already attracted to the gangs/streets.
Support services: counseling for parents, employment, training, conflict resolution, gang peace treaties, dispute mediation, emotional literacy trainings and technical assistance.
ALL OF YOUR DONATIONS WILL GO TOWARDS MAKING THESE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO ALL THOSE WHO NEED THEM. TRAGICALLY, THOSE WHO MOST NEED THIS HELP CAN LEAST AFFORD IT. THERE IS AN ESPECIALLY HIGH DEMAND FOR THOSE CURRENTLY INCARCERATED.
Who Is T Rodgers?
T Rodgers was born and raised in the slums of Southside Chicago. When T was 12 years old, his mother moved them to Westside of Los Angeles, to the area known as Baldwin Village, also known as "The Jungles.” Like so many young, black men in the turbulent 1960's, there weren't many opportunities available to T, and he quickly became embroiled in many gang-related conflicts. In response, T formed a chapter of the "Almighty Black P Stone Nation.” Under T's leadership, the Black P Stones became affiliated with and founding members of the Bloods (who identify with the color red), mortal enemies of the predominant Crips (who identify with the color blue). The Black P Stones would thrive in "The Jungles" and become over five-hundred members strong, eventually controlling the largest territory of any other black gang in Los Angeles. At their peak the Black P Stones became one of the most feared and infamous gangs in Los Angeles. This dubious distinction would earn T a position on the Ten Most Wanted Gang Leaders list by law enforcement in South Central Los Angeles.
T's gang activities and overall reckless lifestyle would cause him to be shot four times, stabbed twice and as T puts it, "have more fights than Mike Tyson and not get paid for none of 'em". T was arrested dozens of times during the course of his "career" but managed to avoid lengthy prison sentences. T graduated from reform school and later, due to the birth of T's first child, T began to look hard at how such self-destructive and high-risk behavior only had two endings; a life of incarceration or ultimately, death. The result of this "moral evolution" would become T's life work and passion as he founded Sidewalk University in 1975 to work at stopping the violence and to ease the tension in the streets that he helped to create.
Through his work as a surrogate father, community leader, consultant, and organizer, T Rodgers has developed a comprehensive curriculum that is now used nationally. He has facilitated training, seminars and workshops for countless organizations including members of the California Department of Corrections staff, Peace Officers, school(s) personnel and other agencies in New York, Chicago, Miami, Denver, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Boston and Portland, just to name a few. T Rodgers is certified in gang intervention work. Has coined and begun using the title of “Gangologist” simply meaning “a person who studies the philosophy of gangs”. Through his unique brand of “Gangology”, T utilizes a holistic, alternative approach to reduce gang violence. T has over 35 years of relevant experience, not only as a former gang leader himself, but understanding the gang culture through his extensive studies, research, and community based activities.
T Rodgers has lived the life that parents most fear for their children to live. T has taken these experiences, and now teaches parents how to prevent their children from following in his footsteps. T is a motivational speaker who has spoken before diverse audiences from all walks of life. He is frequently a guest lecturer at college campuses and appears in film, television, magazines, newspapers, internet, books, radio and events to discuss inter-ethnic relations, youth empowerment, violence prevention, leadership and most importantly forgiveness.
About The Book
"The 50 Most Asked Questions About Gangs" identifies the questions and provides realistic, straight forward answers to some of the most vital questions that deal with the who, what, where, when, how, and the why of gang activity and it's causes.
This book brings an understanding of the causes of gang actions in order that parents, community leaders, teachers, and all interested parties might be better able to identify, communicate, and relate to the younger generations.
