YARD Empire keeps at-risk youth playing the right tune

As detectives processed a crime scene in central Kingston last week, a group of boys played a game of 'gun war'; but Shomani Harley, 14, and Anniko Campbell, 13, did not participate.

They use their spare time to not only learn about gender-based violence (GBV) but also drumming, courtesy of YARD Empire, a non-profit organisation headed by popular actress Terri Salmon. YARD Empire was launched in 2016 by Salmon and aims to empower at-risk youth from ages 13 to 23 through culture and arts.

The soft-spoken Harley told THE WEEKEND STAR that has been a member of YARD since July 2020, after his mother Coretta Edwards was walking along East Queen Street and heard drumming. She enquired what it was all about and after speaking with Salmon, she signed him up for drumming classes. The teenager said he was not enthused at first.

"I was kind of anti-social and I didn't want to talk to anyone but by the third day, I got used to it and liked drumming. This programme help me to ignore the violence that is taking place around me. It helped to boost my confidence and now I can speak publicly to a crowd. I also learned about gender-based violence and other things. They treat us really well here and we learn something new every day," he said. Campbell said he was introduced to the programme after he got into a fight in his Foster Lane community.

"The police asked me if I wanted to join Ms Terri Salmon programme and I said yes and that is where I am until this day. I haven't gotten into a next fight and I am calmer now. I can play the drum very good" he said. Harley and Campbell, who attend the Clan Carthy and Donald Quarrie high schools, respectively, will sit the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music exams on February 1. Taking the London-based examinations is a huge deal for the boys.

"We have been meeting up everyday over the Christmas break and the teachers dem and Auntie Terri come everyday and make sure we practise and get it right. Mi know we ago pass the exam and make we self and everybody proud," Harley said.

Tamra Davis, 15, said she was not interested in becoming a member of YARD either, but said the past two years have been more than fulfilling. She said that she had seen examples of GBV in her Law Street community daily, but thought it was a normal part of life.

"I have learnt that it (GBV) doesn't have to be man to woman but between both sexes as well and it can be also verbal. I now understand it so I am now better able to prevent it. I am glad when I became a part of the programme although I didn't want to be in it at first. I can now teach others about child abuse and other types of abuse," she said.

Salmon added that YARD seeks to promote unity, tolerance and mutual respect among the youths of central Kingston and surrounding communities. She said currently, there are about 20 youngsters participating and she looks forward to more joining this year.

"What we are doing is changing the generation in a good way. We usually have walks in the communities where the youths empower each other and so on. We are teaching young people to value themselves and it's about breaking generational curses and helping them to become responsible and productive citizens and developing their self-worth through arts and sports," she said.