This week Natasha discusses the 2013 Youth Resolution Project,

A New Year’s Resolution Everyone Should Make

By Natasha T. Brown

“In order for there to be a future, we have to preserve our youth, their morals, and make sure that they achieve the best out of life. We have to put them on the path to achieve.” -Hip-Hop Artist SHATiFF

These past few weeks of 2012, especially, have been tough for me to handle, seeing the amount of negativity surrounding our nation’s youth…watching the story play out about children being shot to death at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, and the week prior, joining the team of OnStage DC in meetings with Washington, DC city leaders and community members about the spike in crime surrounding the city’s transit system.

The one common denominator? Youth.

Everyone I know was feeling like something needs to be done. The tweets and Facebook comments in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre were proof. At the same time, my conversations with Hip-Hop Artist Shatiff, Daniel Bradley from Dreams Work, Inc. and countless others, sparked an idea in us that we hope spreads throughout the nation: A 2013 New Year’s Resolution to help save our youth, because the lives of young people can be pre-designed.

So today, the 2013 Youth Resolution Project launched. This initiative was co-created by Authenticore Hip-Hop Artist Shatiff (@ShatiffDMV); Think Brown INK (@ThinkBrownINK) and community organizers at Smile Nationwide (@SmileNationwide), in collaboration with partners from Dreams Work, Inc., The Fellaz Youth Foundation, Will Rap 4 Food, Inc., and others. The goal of this project is to raise the consciousness of both youth and adults and present a call to action to help guide as many young people to a path of leadership.

At youthresolution.com, there’s an online New Year’s Resolution for both adults and youth to sign that asks adults to pledge to make a difference for youth and youth to pledge to make a positive impact on their communities. Shatiff also released a single to help kick-off the project called Recipe 4 Survival featuring Landover native Taz Money, produced by JUDAH. And later in the year, we will present workshops, online resources and programs that connect youth to community and faith-based organizations.

This week, I spoke with partners of the Youth Resolution Project to find out exactly what they hope to achieve with this effort. Read more below and please get involved at youthresolution.com.

Shatiff, Authenticore/SECC Music Group: This project is important in order to preserve us as a people – period. The youth are the next generation and in order for there to be a future, we have to preserve our youth, their morals, and make sure they achieve the best out of life. We have to put them on the path to achieve.

Will D. Jackson/The Fellaz Youth Foundation: Not only is the 2013 Youth Resolution Project important, it's needed in communities all over the country! A lot of times young people make bad decisions or choices because they lack a positive influence in their lives, this program will help change that!

Daniel Bradley/Dreams Work, Inc..: I think the youth resolution project is important because it is vital to have a commitment from adults and youth if we truly expect to see change in our community.

What do you hope to achieve from this project?

Shatiff: I hope that it achieves the goals of less senseless violence, more awareness about conduct, and that it helps some youth with their creativity with the things that they put out into the universe. I really hope that more youth look at things for their long-term effects, versus a quick buck. I want them to realize that they have to look at things besides monetary value.

Jackson: I hope this project will encourage more young people to take pride in their communities, fight for change, and that it builds more community leaders.

Bradley: I hope this project will be an opportunity for the partners and those who sign the pledge to be proactive in the fight for a better, vibrant, non-violent and thriving community. I feel through this project we can set the example for the next generation to follow. I feel it is important to show them that adults and other organizations can support each other and work to better the community, if we ever expect young people to get along it starts with us.

Who does this project hope to attract?

Shatiff says that he hopes that the project will gain the attention of future leaders and those who want to make a difference. The Project’s Youth Pledge gives young people a call to action to make an impact and promotes leadership, pro-active thinking and positive decision-making.

“I’m not so far removed from the same struggles that young people are going through. And, I also have children, so I’m a parent to the struggles and it’s affecting me from two angles now,” Shatiff said. “I understand what they are going through from peer pressure to the negative sides of society. Nobody ever gives kids a heads up on the extra issues they will face while growing up.”

Shatiff is using his music as a way to make an impact. Be sure to check out “Recipe 4 Survival” at youthresolution.com.

Bradley, the co-founder of Dreams Work, which is known for producing positive programs for youth around the areas of bullying, teen dating violence, substance abuse and human rights, said he is excited about Dreams Works programs coming in 2013.

“We have programs planned for young people that give them a platform to utilize their talents as a way to impact various social issues. I think the two projects I am most excited about are "Our View," a youth led Internet radio show and "Tailored Dreams," an Internet-based magazine,” said Bradley.

The Fellaz Youth Foundation is currently planning a series of "Days of Empowerment,” according to Jackson. “We will dedicate four to six weekends in 2013 to empowering young men and women. The Empowerment days will be filled with motivational speakers, panels and information about applying for colleges, grants, and student loans, financial literacy, and much more!”

I am very excited about the launch of the Youth Resolution Project and the partnership with these great organizations. I plan to lead my company, Think Brown INK, in a way that uplifts youth through projects with our clients 9-year-old Chi Chi Monet, Reesa Renee and our charitable interests Smile Nationwide and the ASCEND Music and Media Academy, within the areas of violence prevention, childhood obesity prevention, music and communication instruction.

In order to really see a long-term change in the younger generation, adult leaders must work together, combine resources, knowledge, and strengths to address everything from education, societal pressures, mental health, and other issues affecting youth.

I invite you to become a part of the 2013 Youth Resolution Project. Sign the pledge, and if you would like to become a partner, feel free to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Visit youthresolution.com and follow @YouthResolution and the #YouthResolution hash tag to stay up-to-date with project happenings.

Stay sophisticated and be influential.

Natasha

Natasha Brown is a writer and founding communications strategist of Think Brown INK, a creative think tank and strategic communications agency in the Washington area. Follow her on Twitter @TBINatasha @NBrownINK or her company @ThinkBrownINK.