ANTI-VIOLENCE VENTURES
BLACK MEN & BOYS TAKE A LEAD
Many assume that Black men and boys do not generally talk about violence, nor do they generally talk about or engage in violence prevention. What will it take to get Black men and boys to talk about and engage in violence prevention in their lives, homes and communities? Anti-Violence Ventures (AVV) is a prototype project that was conceived, developed, and designed as part of the Blue Shield of CA Foundation’s Reimagine Lab, an initiative focused on preventing cycles of violence now and into the future. We commit to intentional investment and support to inspire widespread expansion of violence prevention and intervention beyond traditional channels, approaches, and activities. AVV's goal is to introduce conversations, engagement, and activities related to violence prevention to actively include and be led by Black men and boys meeting their needs, ideas, and hopes for healing individually and as a community. The efforts of AVV would be to reduce and to prevent violence in our communities by allowing Black men and boys their own space to contribute to these conversations. OPPORTUNITIES for Black men, entrepreneurs, organizations, agencies, individuals of influence:
Incorporate & embed violence prevention activities into existing focus, activities, events, outreach (financial incentives available)
As the very lives of Black men and Black women are inextricably intertwined in the pursuit of safety for Black families, we co-labor across genders, sectors, and “lived-experiences” to reduce and eliminate violence in their homes and communities.
Can one form of violence be reduced or eliminated without addressing or dealing with the other types of violence in Black communities?
What are the connections/intersections between Domestic, Family, and Community violence?
Can Black women reduce or eliminate any forms of violence in Black homes and communities without aligning or working in partnership with Black men? AVV invites Black men into a safe space, designed for them, by them. We are democratizing the violence prevention movement in pursuit of safety for ourselves, our families, and our communities.
