Raleigh Boots On The Ground

08/09/2026

Community. Compassion. Collaboration.

This is how we . We come together and build each other up. We help our neighbors. We support those in need.

Violence is always a reaction to desperation. The first step in preventing tragedy is showing up. This is on all of us.

08/08/2026

What can parents do to prevent violence with teen takeovers & in their communities?

"Show them (your kids) that you use to be a kid too. Relate to them in a positive way."
- Tony U. Brown

(full conversation - YouTube)
https://youtu.be/ArWTw7dTFL0?t=474

07/30/2026

"Everybody got their own definition of a teen takeover. To me, personally, I think they just trying to get together to have fun. With a teen takeover, I feel like [we need] to not stop it, because you can have fire, but we gotta control that fire. We want those kids to have fire. We want these kids to have energy. We just need to control it."
- Tony U. Brown

We can't just tell our teens what they can't do. We need to give them positive outlets. Safe social gatherings. As adults, we need to show up. We're their role models. If all we do is fight each other, that's what they will emulate.

Prevention Before Tragedy

07/23/2026

NEW! : Prevention Before Tragedy

The first in our series of in-depth discussions around proactive interventions & understanding of breaking the cycles of violence.

Releasing Soon
Gerald D. Givens Jr.

07/09/2026

"This is a time for all of us to parents coming to sit down and to talk to our kids about making better choices," said Gerald Givens, founder of Raleigh Boots on the Ground, a nonprofit focused on preventing and responding to community violence.

Curfews are an option as Raleigh officials consider measures to prevent similar incidents.

05/12/2026

05/12/2026

Today, Raleigh Boots On The Ground received $295k from Congresswoman Deborah Ross’s office to advance and evolve our work to break the cycles of violence. We partner with Wakemed Health & Hospitals to help victims of violence find their first steps towards recovery.