The Azzim Dukes Initiative is our youth anti-gun violence boxing and creative arts program at Maleek Jackson Fitness Boxing Gym, helping kids cultivate their personal, athletic, and creative talents.
Reducing the incidence of gun violence requires interventions through all systems-- health, the family, home, legal, public health, public safety, and community. We offer a proactive versus reactive response to Philadelphia's gun violence culture. Raising awareness of different options, cultures, and stress releases discourages participation in the gun activity and violence in our streets.
Our arts programming began in summer 2021. We partnered with Trunc (https://www.trunc.net/) to offer 4 weeks of arts before integrating into our after-school program and we're working on building an arts classroom here. Unfortunately cost has truly prevented us from hiring an afternoon arts team, but we do have quality individuals in different art practices providing counsel to the children and we base our projects on arts supply donations. Our 2022 arts projects include:
* Why Boxing - film program/campaign that highlights the kids' experience at our gym and why boxing is an asset to their lives - spearheaded by Dan Lidon with help from Philadelphia art school students
* Ongoing T shirt drawing contests - first to be produced this Spring/summer with Clothing | Bombardment Co (https://www.bombardmentco.com/) !
* Gregory Faletek would like to teach the kids painting
* Writing/literacy for interested participants
