Think Before You Shoot is a non profit organization that focuses on providing different outlets, resources and perspectives on life in order to create change in our communities. The organization mission is approached in different techniques from entertainment from the film series created and written by President Anthony J. Sturdivant. Youth outreach programs, after school programs (After School Ma
tters) and workshops conducted throughout elementary, high schools, and universities in Illinois. The films are used to deliver positive messages as well as create a visual connection with the world. It was a way for Anthony to not only approach a much needed issue in his city but a way to create success from his stories and experience so that he can set an example in an attempt to stem the gun-violence in the communities.
Creative Writing and Media Arts Youth Outreach Program provides students with the ability to express themselves creatively through writings and the arts. Using his stories as a model, Sturdivant teaches the students to use their own experiences, inspirations and fears to create compelling and thought-provoking writings. Equipped with computers and writing/visual presentation tools, students will learn the keys to a variety of writing forms, visual creations, and presentations. These lessons will give the students both tangible abilities in technology and writing, and intangible abilities including college and career readiness, communication, interpersonal and social-emotional learning skills.
