Gang Summit Delivers Powerful and Inspirational Message to Community

Dexter Reaves, an Intervention Specialist with Greenville County Schools  told the crowd at that, "I can't teach someone how to tie a tie if I've never done it myself."

That was the logic for Reaves and Traci Fant to organize the second Gang Summit, which featured speakers who were either in gangs or victimized by them.

In addition to Reaves and Fant, the 50-plus residents in attendance heard from an 18-year-old who faces long-term incarceration as a result of gang activity, a 31-year-old man who fled Atlanta to escape gang life once and for all, and a 25 year-old man who was paralyzed from a gunshot after trying to defuse an argument between two gang members.

Their powerful messages had an effect.

During the question and answer session one man offered his services to help with one of the speaker's attempt to get a GED. Other audience members pledged their support to the speakers and urged the youngsters in attendance to "think twice" which is the name of an organization run by Fant.

The Gang Summit was sponsored by the Reedy River Baptist Association in conjunction with Rev. James Nesbitt of Beulah Baptist Church.

For more information on Think Twice click HERE.

*CORRECTION - Dexter Reaves was referenced as a reverend with Reedy River Baptist Church. That is incorrect. He is an Intervention Specialist with Greenville Co. Schools. Antone Yowe is the pastor of Reedy River Baptist Church.

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