Stop the Violence... Musician joins forces with youth sports leagues to create awareness

Category: 'Y' Published on Wednesday, 23 January 2013 09:32 Written by Ashley N. Johnson - Courier Staff Writer Hits: 4243

STOP THE VIOLENCE—Youth Sports Coach Jeff Marion stands with youth from various sports league to explain the importance of youth sports activities and the impact it has on keeping kids off the streets at the Stop The Violence Benefit Concert at Stage AE on Jan. 17. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

by Ashley Johnson
For New Pittsburgh Courier
Black on Black violence has been an epidemic in the Black community for years, with many feeling like no end is in sight. Many feel fed up and left with no answers to a cure. While some are getting the message out through marches, vigils and town hall meetings, one man is spreading his message through music.
Raising money and bringing awareness to the epidemic was the main theme of the Stop the Violence Concert held by musician Yves Jean, in collaboration with the Ladies Hospital Aid Society and local youth sports leagues, on Jan. 17 at the American Eagle Outfitters Stage AE on the North Shore.
 “Young people are dying and we wanted to bring the public service announcement to the stage,” Jean said. “The concert was successful, the audience was diverse and we raised some money, but you cannot put a price tag on awareness.”
“Enough is enough. Every week we are seeing three to four deaths and they’re all young people,” Jeff Marion, a city youth sports coach and planning committee member said. “If we keep playing around there will not be a middle generation.”