Mikes Up Guns Down was launched in July by Sean French, who spent 24 years in prison and has been working to end Lansing’s youth gun violence since being released just one year ago. I have dedicated my time to make it happen. French talks about his trip to Mike’s Up Guns Down and what he’s already noticed changing (Full transcript of broadcast article below) I’m Asha Lawrence, your neighborhood reporter. A Lansing man is encouraging young people in his neighborhood to take the microphone and put down their guns in a newly launched program aimed at preventing gun violence.”There’s a guy named Cj working on this pop track, and I was like, why would he want to do something like this?” said Sean French.
After spending 25 years in prison, Sean French wanted to channel his motivation into creating a better Lansing for music.
“It’s something that attracts young people and that’s what we want. We want to attract them to a safe space, a safe environment where they can be creative," Sean said.
Mike’s Up Guns Down was born in July of this year.
We offer young people in the Lansing community the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the music industry.
“He has a bit of a Black Eyed Peel vibe, which he calls Never Tired of Our Love,” Sean explained.
While promoting expression through music rather than violence.
“We have thoroughly failed the young people here. Of course I was in prison for 24 years so it wasn’t a good example, but so many men in this city are in prison. Therefore, they are missing without proper guidance and direction,” Sean explained.
As a way to fix that, Mics Up Guns Down uses its programs to educate teens about what passion and proper guidance can do for them.
“As they become more and more professional, they are “You start letting things go,” he continued.
Sean says this is just the beginning for them.
“Mike’s Up Guns Down is just the catalyst for a larger vision for which we created the SF French Leadership Academy just one week ago,” he said.
Make changes one song at a time.
The Mics Up Guns Down program has an open door policy and continues to accept mentees.
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