Written by Doug BedfordDecember 13, 2023 The BLOC gave out food to the Mid-South community December 13, 2023 serving the community and giving local residents hope in having food for their families. This event was sponsored by the Mid-South Food Bank.
Written by Doug BedfordDecember 7, 2023 The BLOC Squad was on hand to assist in the Office of the Criminal Court Clerk’s Office Expungement Clinic held at the Dwelling Place Church, September 23rd. Attendees were offered second chances on a fresh start in life. BLOC Squad makes sure to support what helps the community grow!
Written by Doug BedfordJune 16, 2023 The 25th annual “Stop the Violence Block Party” got underway in a South Memphis community.
The Tate Avenue gathering attracted a crowd that included big names like music producer Drumma Boy, rapper Gorilla Zoe, former Memphis Grizzlies star Tony Allen, and TV personality Judge Joe Brown.
“I know a place within walking distance where there have been 5 shootings in the last year and a half,” Judge Brown recalled as he pondered on senseless crimes happening in local communities. “It’s absolutely ridiculous.”
Although a block party, the event was a party with a different meaning.
One of the prime messages: It takes a village.
“It’s a lot of people that’s out here. Where the rest of y’all at,” producer Drumma Boy asked passionately as he urged all fellow Memphians to join him in the cause. “You got to meet us here. You can keep blaming and pointing the finger all you want to, but I’m making change. I can’t do it by myself.”
Former Grizzlies shooting guard Tony Allen also weighed in on possible solutions to saving the youth.
“Gun violence is so high in our community. Just let them know they can be whatever they want to be. Pick up a trade,” said Allen.
For more than two decades, Betty Isom, who resides on Tate Avenue, hosted the event to bring communities together in hopes of finding solutions that replace crime with unity and love.
“It gets all the people from wherever to come together and try to learn how to love on one another,” Isom said. “We want everybody to come together and be as one.”
Despite stormy weather, dozens supported the event that got underway in the the neighborhood; all for the same mission, to support and highlight the youth.
Young performers like Money Paid Mike took the stage to honor the memory of slain Memphis rapper Young Dolph with his song entitled Long Live Dolph.
“Kids are not supposed to be scared about going out and having fun,” the 9-year-old rapper told FOX13. “They have got traumatized from the things that happened.”
Link to story: Celebs speak out in ‘Stop The Violence’ block party | News | fox13memphis.com
Written by Doug BedfordJune 8, 2023 Dozens of community members gathered at Greenbiar Apartments in Frayser on Thursday morning as Memphis Police hosted an event focused on preventing gun violence.
“I think this is our shot of making our community a safer place,” said Roman Bell, a Greenbiar resident.
It’s an effort many are trying to achieve: taking a stand against gun violence across Memphis.
“There have been a lot of killings going on,” said Keara Gordon, another Greenbiar Apartments resident. “I actually witnessed one of them looking out my window.”
A map shows crime within a mile of the Greenbriar Apartments. So far this year, there have been 781 reports.
In March, Memphis Police said a teenage boy and a woman were shot and killed at Greenbriar.
Families were left heartbroken, but the pain has sparked change.
“Hopefully everything gets better before it gets worse. People are dying left and right. We just need a change around here,” said Gordon.
Music blasting, people dancing, organizations and community members giving out food.
This is just one of the efforts Memphis Police are doing to bring the community together.
They hope to spread the message to stop gun violence across the Bluff City.
“The uptick in violence goes up astronomically, so we just want to be out there to try to combat them with boots on the ground, with mentors and individuals that want to show the community and the kids that we care,” said Brian Tillman, a volunteer for 901 B.L.O.C. Squad, an intervention program in Memphis.
Memphis Police told FOX13 they’re just getting started.
They said they will continue to host community events this summer, just like the one Thursday morning.
