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Honoring and commending Endangered Kind, its founder and Executive Director John Solomon, and its leadership team - Nickeem Higgins, Jalil Martin, Gary Hill, and Eric Knight-Lane - for their commitment to fighting youth gun violence and their profound grassroots leadership uplifting vulnerable young men, families, and communities throughout the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, Endangered Kind is a community-aligned organization founded in 2016 by John Solomon, a lifelong Philadelphia resident whose lived experience with community violence profoundly shaped the organization’s mission and vision; and
WHEREAS, At age 15, John Solomon survived a gunshot injury and later served nearly five years in prison for a gun-related offense, during which he embraced personal growth and faith, committing himself to service and community transformation; and
WHEREAS, After his release, John Solomon dedicated his life to uplifting others and building safer communities by addressing the root causes of violence, ultimately founding Endangered Kind, where he now serves as Executive Director; and
WHEREAS, The organization’s leadership team Nickeem Higgins, Jalil Martin, Gary Hill, and Eric Knight-Lane has been instrumental in guiding Endangered Kind’s outreach, programs, and community initiatives, deepening its impact throughout Philadelphia neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Through community outreach, Endangered Kind works directly with residents in neighborhoods experiencing the highest rates of violence, by engaging in street-level outreach, canvassing, peer support, and connecting individuals and families to critical resources and support networks that promote stability, healing, and trust; and
WHEREAS, Through its violence intervention efforts, Endangered Kind deploys trained, credible messengers with lived experience to identify individuals at highest risk of harm. They assist in mediating conflicts, interrupting cycles of retaliation, and providing ongoing mentorship and support aimed at preventing shootings and saving lives; and
WHEREAS, Through community development initiatives, Endangered Kind invests in long-term neighborhood strength by supporting grassroots leadership, expanding economic and social opportunity, and addressing the root causes of violence and disinvestment; and
WHEREAS, Endangered Kind’s holistic and community-centered model aligns with evidence-informed best practices in violence prevention and reflects the City of Philadelphia’s commitment to investing in solutions that center dignity and opportunity, rather than punishment; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors and commends Endangered Kind, its founder and Executive Director John Solomon, and its leadership team for their commitment to fighting youth gun violence and their profound grassroots leadership uplifting vulnerable young men, families, and communities throughout the City of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to Endangered Kind as an expression of the sincere admiration and gratitude of the Council of the City of Philadelphia.
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