LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - The OK (Our Kids) Program wants to change relationships between law enforcement and the African American community. They plan to create solutions at a Black and Blue event happening Saturday.
One person who will be in attendance is 16-year-old Sayveon Lambert whose father was killed by a police officer in Little Rock five years ago.
“Ever since this happened, I haven’t been to his gravesite. It’s going to take a lot of strength,” said Lambert who is still emotional when he speaks about his dad.
After his dad was killed, Sayveon was invited to the OK Program by Sergeant Willie Davis. Davis explained the program is about bringing black officers and young black men together every Saturday for fellowship and activities.
“I really didn’t want to come because of how my dad got murdered by a police officer, and he [Davis] was like well just come one time,” said Lambert who has been attending the OK Program ever since.
“We talk about critical thinking skills, anger management, self-control, money management, homicides and incarcerations; some of these things that are key that they see in their neighborhoods,” said Davis who is the Little Rock OK officer.
Aside from weekly session, OK officers do home visits and provide a listening ear.
“It don’t matter, any time of the night you can call and they’ll sit there and listen to you,” said Lambert.
The program teaches right from wrong and motivates the participants to dream big.
“I want to go to college, but first I want to go to the military and then go to college,” said Lambert.
The national program came to Little Rock in 2008. It is geared towards African American males ages 12 – 18. Davis says the OK program and Black and Blue event could make a huge impact on the city and country.
“This is one of the solutions that can reduce animosity, anger, pain between blacks and police,” said Davis.
“Shooting each other, killing each other, just doing it for no reason – it just needs to stop,” said Lambet.
While the OK Program is geared towards African Americans between the ages of 12 and 18, Saturday’s Black and Blue event is open to the public..
The goal is to create solutions for change between communities and police.
It's being held from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Arkansas Baptist College.
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