Art Project Helps Youth Heal From Trauma Of Death

MAY 14, 2019  (LOS ANGELES) — Community Build, Inc. Case worker Tracee Jones knew something had to be done when she heard nine and ten-year-olds in her after school program discussing conspiracy theories surrounding the murder of Nipsey Hussle.  The 33-year old Grammy-nominated rapper who collaborated with dozens of name artists like Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Diddy, Ty Dolla Sign and Meek Mill, was gunned down in front of his clothing store on March 31, allegedly by a man later identified as Eric Holder.

Although Hussle admittedly had a violent past and publicly spoke about his gang affiliation, he grew to become an entrepreneur and community activist who was well known for his work to empower the underserved Crenshaw community.  The rapper’s real estate investments, science and tech learning center for teens and a number of other ventures provided unprecedented access to opportunities for young adults in South Los Angeles.

On the day of his death, Hussle was reportedly planning to meet with LA Police Commissioner Steve Soboroff and LAPD Chief Michael Moore to discuss ways to stop gang violence meeting.

“The kids were saying things to each other about the government and Nipsey’s death,” said Jones, who has worked with children at Community Build, Inc., (CBI) a non-profit organization, for the past two decades.  CBI has three categories of programs – Project Save, the Safe Passage Project and the Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) program – with each focusing on different aspects of community development and community revitalization in South Los Angeles.

Jones knew that unanswered questions and hearing adult conversations could result in children drawing their own conclusions about the killing that would not ultimately lead to healing.  “I knew we needed to provide a way for them to process their feelings and let them know that there was a beautiful side to Nipsey Hussle and all the other things were irrelevant.”

Jones is responsible for programs and activities for CBI’s GRYD program.  Introduced in 2007, GRYD is an initiative supported by the mayor’s office and council districts 8, 9, and 10 as part of an intensive effort to foster youth development and reduce the influence of street gangs.  GRYD uses a neighborhood-based approach that focuses on high-gang crime areas and implements prevention, intervention, re-entry and suppression programs to address the prevalence of gangs and related crimes.  For the past eleven years, CBI has managed GYRD programs for South Los Angeles youth and young adults ages 10 to 24.

Raised in South Los Angeles and a former participant in the GRYD program, Jones knew firsthand the trauma and confusion caused by gang violence.  All of the young GYRD program participants were familiar with Hussle’s music, knew what he represented and his involvement in the community and that he had been killed in front of his clothing store just blocks away. Jones wanted to ensure that the kids had an age appropriate channel to talk about Hussle’s death and grieve.

“Being that Nipsey is from this community, I want them to know that wherever he started, didn’t end there,” said Jones. “He grew. He developed.  He did all these things, and they can, too.”

Jones also wanted to find a way for the kids to temporarily disengage from cell phones and tablets for a while and allow them to tap into their creativity.  She decided to use an existing art project as an opportunity for the adolescents to focus on Hussle in a positive way.

Jones teamed up with Creative Incite, a program administered through South Bay Cultural Center (SBCC) Thrive LA, to lead a painting project featuring Nipsey Hussle.  Creative Incite project leader Juan Gonzales used a California scene of palm trees and the beach as a serene backdrop for the rapper’s silhouette.  Step by step, Gonzales walked the youngsters from painting the azure blue ocean and trees to adding the final black and white stenciled image of Hussle.

“As a non-profit community development corporation in the heart of South Los Angeles, it’s our mandate and responsibility to create programs that not only bring economic development to the community, but also to address community trauma and to try to bring healing in times like these,” said CBI President and CEO Robert Sausedo.

CBI Vice President of Human Resources / GRYD Programs Kathi Houston-Berryman said that in addition to the painting, the children were givien a “What would Nipsey do?” journal to further allow them to express their feelings.

“There are so many different things that impact our youth today – witnessing or being the victim of violence, experiencing their parents’ divorce or economic insecurities, bullying and cyber-bullying,” said Houston-Berryman.  She added that feelings of isolation and not being understood or supported by family can sometimes lead adolescents to bond with peers who may have a negative influence on their future.

Houston-Berryman said for at-risk youth, the GRYD program provides support and offers positive possibilities and alternatives to the pervasive gang culture.

Jones’ daughter, Deandra, was one of the youngsters that participated in the art project. Admiring her handy work, the 10-year old remarked that the portrait reminded her that “even though Nipsey’s gone, he’s still a big part of the community. We’ll never forget him.”