On October 5-6, 2007, Penn Valley hosted Kansas City’s First Annual Local Urban Peace and Justice Summit. The summit was presented by Ossco Bolton, former gang member and creator of Phase II, whose purpose is to reduce gang violence.

"This gang summit was an event aimed at creating stronger and safer drug-free neighborhoods, schools, and unifying the family in a positive way," said Bolton. The intent was to encourage the community to take an active role in providing positive role models for young men and women.

Friday evening after the initial registration and reception, there was a presentation and overview of the summit in The Little Theater (ST101), followed by positive poetry and rap music.

Saturday morning started with a prayer and opening remarks at 9:30, and entertainment provided by the rap group Town Movement. This was also an opportunity for mingling and networking.

At 10am participants returned to ST101, where they listened to St. Mark’s Church minister Reverend Sam Mann, Kansas City Chief James Corwin, and Jackson County Prosecutor Jim Kanatzar. Each speaker addressed the impact that gangs have had on his life and perceptions.

At 10:30 everyone broke into groups to attend the workshop. Utilizing the numerous rooms on the lower levels of the Humanities and Campus Center buildings, participants moved from workshop to workshop until early afternoon.

One workshop, "Life Management and Personal Wellness (Can You Get With That?)," was conducted by wellness consultant and personal fitness trainer Jason Goodman. Retired after 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, Goodman is an MBA graduate from Webster University and has a B.S. in Computer Science from Park University. In addition to inspiring people from all walks of life to make lifelong positive changes in their perspectives on healing, Goodman is an accomplished actor, model and singer.

Lee McKeithen conducted a workshop entitled "Financial Empowerment: The History of Money," which offered information on financial principles using history as the catalyst, and explained in non-legal language.

An all-gang lunch was provided at noon and consisted of broiled garlic chicken breasts, corn on the cob, macaroni and cheese, assorted dinner rolls and breadsticks, peach cobbler and tea.

Afterward there was a speaker/discussion session in ST101, then a question/answer period, with Dr. Bernard Franklin, Mayor Pro-Tem Alvin Brooks, and soccer great Kolo Toure’ serving as panelists. The event concluded with an encore performance by Town Movement.

Copyright 2007 Metropolitan Community College