Youth-Led Education
What is Youth Over Guns?
Youth Over Guns organized as a grassroots movement in spring 2018, in the wake of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., to shed light on the effects of gun violence on marginalized communities.
Soon after leading a highly visible march across the Brooklyn Bridge, youth leadership at YOG recognized the importance of intergenerational organizing and joined forces with New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, becoming the youth arm of NYAGV/NYAGV Education Fund. The joining of YOG and NYAGV and our collective dedication to uplifting marginalized youth in communities impacted by gun violence has created a more sustainable movement to end gun violence.
Founded by Black and Brown youth in New York City, YOG activists have since grown a national profile as leading spokespeople on the impact of gun violence on communities of color. YOG leaders have traveled the country, training other youth leaders, speaking at conferences and forums, and galvanizing youth of color throughout the country to become leaders in the fight for safe and just communities. YOG activists have grown a national profile as leading spokespeople on the impact of gun violence on communities of color.
For more information about Youth Over Guns, including how to apply for our Anger To Advocacy 2021-22 cohort, email youthoverguns@nyagv.org or visit their dedicated website.
Anger to Advocacy Activist Incubator
In 2020, with the support of Levi Strauss & Co.’s Safer Tomorrow Fund, Youth Over Guns launched the Anger to Advocacy Activist Incubator – a unique peer-to-peer leadership training program designed to build youth power in marginalized communities and strengthen the movement to reduce gun violence. ATA is grounded in the idea that youth of color are justifiably angry at the injustices they face – and that anger can be a great catalyst for action.
By educating youth about gun violence and its root causes, equipping them with training in movement strategy and community organizing, and providing platforms for peer-to-peer outreach events, ATA is developing the next generation of leaders in the movement for safe and just communities.
Youth over guns in action
Virtual Town Halls
Youth Over Guns’ Anger to Advocacy fellows are holding a series of virtual town halls called Parable of the Pistol, exploring the intersections of COVID-19 and gun violence. Watch the first town hall here!
Digital Activism
Our youth leaders are creating content to educate and galvanize young people to become activists in the fight to end gun violence. Follow Youth Over Guns on Instagram for vital information on the way gun violence affects communities of color.