Toledo Youth Take on Gun Violence
featuring Brysen Davis, Tonenigja Johnson & Demetrius Wyatt and coordinated by Dr. Heather Sloane Cleary & Matt FossSONS OF TOLEDO: a Catalyst for Youth-Led Change
Gun Violence: The Shadow Pandemic
In partnership with Dr. Heather Sloan Cleary's FEARLESS WRITERS program with Toledo Public Schools, this project created a public access curriculum using the short film SONS OF TOLEDO as a catalyst for enfranchising young people impacted by gun violence to share their stories and add their voices to this urgent and necessary conversation.
The curriculum is provided free of charge for students and teachers both in Toledo and beyond to help facilitate the sharing of stories about how gun violence impacts our lives as both a process and proactive step in addressing this shadow pandemic.
Please fill out the a short form to receive all materials to guide classroom discussion and activities for youth.
Also we'd welcome the chance to learn about your experience with the film and your own story and you can share using our brief survey here.
Because so many young people in our area are grieving the loss of someone to gun violence or have themselves been witness to gun violence SONS OF TOLEDO can inspired overwhelming emotions. For young people in the Toledo area, who want someone to speak to after school hours we recommend Youth Pages to find recommended resources from agencies concerned with gun violence.
Meet the Speakers:
Brysen Davis (Graduate of Rogers High School Fearless Writer from 2019-2022). Brysen is currently a violence interrupter in the city that focuses on street outreach to vulnerable youth in our community. Brysen will be focusing on trauma and stress and how experiences in childhood influence how we come with adversity as adolescents and adults that may contribute to the complex issues surrounding gun violence.
Demetrius Wyatt (Bachelor of Social Work intern for Fearless Writers 2022-2023) is a school-based youth counselor and case manager. Demetrius will be focusing on resilience and protective factors that support youth success and leadership. He talks about what adults, schools, and communities can do to support young people facing adversity.
Tone'nijah Johnson (Graduate of Rogers High School Fearless Writer from 2017-2020) Is a recent college graduate with a degree in Finance from Howard University. Tonenijah discusses ways young people can get involved and why youth perspective on gun violence is important to finding solutions.
Main Coordinators:
Matt Foss is an associate professor in the theatre program at University of Toledo. His adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front received a Kennedy Center playwriting award. Foss won the 2020 University of Toledo Edith Rathburn Outreach and Engagement Excellence Award. Foss co-wrote Sons of Toledo.
Heather Sloane Cleary is an associate professor in the social work program at the University of Toledo. She is the creator/facilitator of Fearless Writers. This program nurtures connection through creative writing between interprofessional/interdisciplinary university mentors and Toledo Public High School students. This program attempts to counter consequences of neighborhood segregation in the United States.
This project was funded in part by the Lucas County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board and the Human Trafficking and Social Justice Conference.
