Panel Talks Juvenile Justice Reform at Boys’ Club of New York’s “I Am A Man”

Over the weekend, The Quintessential Gentleman’s Founder Eric K. Thomas moderated the panel at the “I AM A MAN” Conference hosted by the Boys’ Club of New York at their Gerry Clubhouse in East Harlem.

The event included a screening of the powerful HBO/VICE documentary Raised in the System, which focuses on the criminalization of adolescent behavior and engages new methods and responses to Black and Brown youth who have been adversely impacted by the juvenile justice system. Following the documentary screening, a talkback was held, discussing ways to achieve juvenile justice reform, the lasting effects of juvenile incarceration, and the sharing of experiences by some men who’ve “lived that life.” Mysonne, an independent Bronx-based MC known by many of his fans as The N.Y. General, also gave a powerful spoken word performance at the conference.

The panel included Emmy nominated Actor and Producer and Founder of Making Kids Win non-profit Michael K. Williams, Director of Making Kids Win Dominic Dupoint, NYC Together Founder Dana Rachlin, Sergeant Sergio De La Mota of the New York Police Department, Attorney at Law and Professor Charlie A. Vargas and Author of “You Already Won” and Entrepreneur Aron Gadson. 

The Boys’ Club of New York (BCNY) provides enriching and inclusive after-school programming to boys and young men ages 7-21. BCNY’s $5 membership fee ensures that any boy can join.

Check out photos from the event below and make sure to get involved in the Boys’ Club of New York. 

#Community #CriminalJusticeReform #HBO #JuvenileIncarceration