Youth summit has anti-gang message

Raleigh, N.C. — Raleigh leaders got together Sunday evening to talk about young people and gang violence.

In recent weeks, a melee at Raleigh's Triangle Town Center mall and a shooting on the campus of North Carolina State University, have highlighted the Capital City's growing gang problem, which Raleigh Police Chief Harry Dolan described as "significant."

"Anytime we fail a young person, then we ourselves have failed and I don't like to be a failure,” school board Chairwoman Rosa Gill said.

Gill says the increased gang activity is just one of the issues being addressed at Sunday's Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School, 2600 Rock Quarry Road.

Organizers say they want teenagers to say "YES" to to graduating on time, sexual abstinence and staying drug-free and gang-free.

“The overall goal of this program is to help our children understand the importance of being successful and being very active in school, because if they are active in school – they will be successful,” Gill said.

The summit is being hosted by Russ Parr of the "Russ Parr Morning Show" and Radio One. YES wraps up Monday with a back to school rally at Dorton Arena.