Charlotte businessman Ron Leeper, center, co-founder of the group "Men Who Care Global," speaks at a Wednesday press conference announcing the organization's first initiative: Members are seeking to recruit 500 to 1,000 African American males to walk the streets of uptown Charlotte the night of July 4th to help deter youth violence. (Photo: Qcitymetro.com
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A group calling itself “Men Who Care Global” is seeking to recruit 500 to 1,000 African American males to walk the streets of uptown Charlotte the night of July 4.

The idea, organizers say, is to help prevent the kind of trouble that led to the fatal shooting of a young black male and the wounding of another on Memorial Day, when police arrested 70 people – mostly young, African American males – following an uptown melee.

Police anticipate as many as 100,000 people in uptown Charlotte for July 4th fireworks and other events, and the newly formed men’s group wants to help ensure that the evening remains peaceful.

But their presence on the street will not be about a show of physical force.

“Our first step is just to model how a large group of African American males can be together and exhibit good behavior,” said Charlotte businessman Ron Leeper. “We don’t want to be a threat to these young people. We want them to know there are men who care.”

In addition to their physical presence, the group will erect tents where young people can get information and resources on education and job training.

Group will seek nonprofit status

The group was unveiled Wednesday at a press conference at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. The July 4 mobilization will be its first public effort, said Colin Pinkney, executive director of The Urban Restoration and project leader of the event.

Pinkney said organizers are trying to form an executive committee to incorporate as a nonprofit group.

Group organizers have been meeting with police and city officials to ensure an orderly effort. They will hold a training session Saturday, July 2, at West Charlotte High School. Men who attend and complete the training will be issued a bright orange T-shirt emblazoned with the group’s logo.

“We know we may encounter some situations where we need some de-escalation skills,” Leeper said. “We’re going to ask them (police officials) to help us figure out when we should engage and when we should de-escalate.”
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Before starting their press conference, members of "Men Who Care Global" gather in a prayer circle. (Photo: Qcitymetro.com)
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Some who spoke at the press conference said the group did not want to discourage young people from going uptown for July 4th festivities. However, they said, they do hope that parents will accompany their children as part of a family outing.

“Sometimes the simple act of families engaging in positive activities with their children can foster a better foundation of communication, trust and even guidance for that child,” City Council member Patrick Cannon told the group. “When we are disengaged as parents, our absence creates opportunities for children to engage in negative activity.”

Charlotte NAACP President Kojo Nantambu, who attended the press conference, said men are needed from every faith, every profession and every walk of life.

“This is a good thing,” he said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for all of us. One of the problems I’ve seen in Charlotte for years is the inability to come together collectively as a community, as men, as churches. This is a good start.”

Nantambu said he hopes the effort can break the “code of silence” that he said has prevented the city and community from addressing common concerns.

“One of the things I’ve found out about Charlotte is, no matter what’s going on, no matter how bad, people have a tendency to not want to talk about it,” he said. “I think this is one of the opportunities where somebody said, ‘We need to address this issue.’”

'A group of godly men'

Leeper, president and owner of R.J Leeper Construction, referred to the organization as “a group of godly men.” Before the press conference, dozens gathered in a large circle to hold hands and pray.

The group began to take shape about four weeks ago when Leeper, frustrated by events over the Memorial Day weekend, invited 25 other black men to his office for a Saturday meeting.

"I said to myself, ‘I know there’s got to be other people who care about this other than me,’” he recalled. “We can’t, after every major event in our city, find that some African American kid has been killed because of bad behavior.”

Leeper said the initial meeting “was nothing like I’ve been a part of before.”

“It was just a phenomenal time,” he said, “and it has just continued to grow and grow and grow.”

Leeper said he hopes that one day the group can act as an umbrella organization for other youth-centered groups around the city, groups such as 100 Black Men of Charlotte, Urban Restoration, West Charlotte Mentoring Coalition and Police Athletic League.

Longer term, he said, he hopes it can grow into a national – and perhaps international – model.

“This isn’t a phenomenon that’s happening just here in Charlotte,” Leeper said. “It’s happening in other cities around the country, and in fact around the world.”

IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE
What: Training session
Date: Saturday, July 2, 2011
Place: West Charlotte High School
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

For more information, email mwcglobal1@gmail.com or call 1-855-692-4562.

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