(AllHipHop News) This Saturday (March 30th), Brooklyn will witness its first-ever public and private sector gun buyback initiative for the New York City public called “Guns 4 Greatness”
[ALSO READ: Hip-Hop Mogul Proposes “Guns For Greatness” Program Featuring Tickets To Beyoncé & Jay-Z Concerts]
The initiative was envisioned and is spearheaded by legendary Hip Hop manager Michael “Blue” Williams. The gun buyback consists of people relinquishing guns to the program anonymously and subsequently receive a bank card for the amount designated for their type of gun. Operational guns are worth $200 and non-operational guns are worth $20. The initiative also attempts to address deeper, psychological measures of gun control and takes rehabilitative turn as each participant gets a card with a 10-digit number which allows them to receive introductory life mentoring sessions.
Guns 4 Greatness is potentially partnering with Beyonce and the New York Yankees to provide tickets to shows and games for participants who consistently attend their life mentoring sessions. As of late February there were also talks of including Jay-Z, who will be performing with Justin Timberlake at Yankee Stadium in July to be a part but no confirmation has been issued.
Williams held a press conference yesterday (March 27th) at Christian Culture Center in Brooklyn, NY. The event had a few distinguished speakers including Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Reverend A.R. Bernard, Rich Buery, Gregory Thomas and G4G Partners L. Londell McMillan as well as candidate for Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson.
Williams, who began this initiative after the alleged suicide of his good friend and legendary Hip Hop manager/power broker Chris Lighty, believes Guns for Greatness is an opportunity to practically fix the gun culture in New York City:
This is a chance to positively reinforce a young person’s decision to turn away from violence and show everybody that there’s another way. Our youth mean everything, and they deserve a different path than what’s often laid out for them.”No stop and frisks but involved
Williams is the CEO of the full-service music management firm, Family Tree Entertainment which has a roster including Big Boi, Busta Rhymes, Eric Benet and many others He has helped raise over $75,000 for the initial launch and celebrity support from Mary J Blige, Nick Cannon, Jamie Foxx and many others.
The first Guns 4 Greatness event is set for Saturday March 30, 2013 from 10am to 4pm at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, NY. There will also be buyback programs in urban communities all across the United States and prospective participants can make donations on the initiative’s official website www.guns4greatness.org.