Local radio station welcomes PPS students, Mayor Gainey for live on-air discussion on youth violence

For one hour on Friday morning, a local radio station pressed the pause button on its music to “Stop the Music, Stop the Violence,” welcoming Mayor Ed Gainey and Pittsburgh Public School students to discuss solutions moving forward for the city’s youth.

It was a live broadcast that aired on WAMO 107.3 as host and veteran radio personality KiKi Brown welcomed questions and ideas from PPS students about the mayor’s Summer Safety Plan.

“I was wondering about the staggered release of the rec centers…” said Darius from the Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy.

The plan provides grants to established community centers and organizations in each city zone.

Negley, a senior at Obama Academy, asked Gainey if he had a plan to make sure community centers and city pools are staffed with good role models.

Brown led the discussion, asking Mayor Gainey questions about the initiative and hearing from Pittsburgh Public School leaders.

“We want to hear how our institutions, organizations, and community leaders are embracing the voices and brilliance of our young people,” said Jason Rivers, PPS director of narrative transformation, conflict resolution, and violence prevention.

“If we can get our children to go to organizations that deal with making sure they’re kept whole, that’s what we want to do. That’s called healthy living,” Gainey said. “It doesn’t matter where you come from…it matters where you come to.”

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