Colin Mapp, President of the Bass Reeves Gun Club shares his strategy for youth outreach. His process is detailed for other chapters to use to create of fortify their youth outreach programs. Additionally, Colin’s Youth Initiative co-leads, Timiko Sinclair and Khadijah LaMot share their story about what it was like to lead their first committee as new members of NAAGA alongside Colin and Bass Reeves Chapter Vice President, Cassandra Light.

Colin Mapp:

The goal of the National African American Gun Association is to have every African American introduced to firearm use for home protection, competitive shooting, and outdoor recreational activities. Bass Reeves Gun Club, Atlanta Chapter of NAAGA aims to align with the goals and mission of our national organization. To that end we believe that the earlier we can formally introduce our youth to firearms safety and marksmanship, we can provide them with options for firearms related careers, competitive shooting and team building, and opportunities to be educated on the rich legacy of firearms in the African American community.

The question for us became, how do we achieve this goal? We decided to form a committee to explore an approach to youth firearm education. Below is a high level step-by-step guide (by no means all inclusive) to establishing a committee and launching a youth educational program.

1. Take a poll of members who would be interested in working on the committee as a leader or contributing member. Consider 2 Co-Leads.
2. Determine the specific need to be addressed (Mentoring, Safety, Competitive sports, Wellness, etc.) by the committee and create a Mission Statement.
3. Define what kind of programs address the needs by brainstorming solutions as a committee.
4. Poll youth to determine the type of activities they prefer.
5. Test your programs with youth from your chapter before launching with the larger community. Gather feedback from the youth to focus the programs on what the youth feel would be of value and engaging.
6. Capture images and testimonials for future promotion and outreach.
7. Debrief the program test runs and make adjustments. Schedule to run the programs with enough time to properly promote, for maximum participation.

Timiko Sinclair:

I am a new member of NAAGA, joining in September of 2020. I had my first gun placed in my hand back when I used to be “sent down south” for the summers with my grandparents who had a fully functioning farm in Gray, GA. “Look through that thang right there, aim, and shoot!” Yup, that’s pretty much my level of instruction prior to NAAGA.

This guidance seemed to be enough at my Grand’s house to keep fresh meat on everyone’s plates, keep drunken troublemakers movin’ at the juke joint on the corner in the red clay, and from what I was told, keep night riders movin’ past the property, and made an uncooperative school bus driver stop at Gray Road, when they decided the Black kids on it didn’t deserve a ride.

Well, we moved on down to Gary eventually to care for my grandparents. There were always firearms in my home. I was that kid who attempted to show one off to my friend when she came over and an accidental discharge almost ended her life. She is highly decorated in the Army right now. I jokingly tell her I was the influence for her career choice after I placed her so close to flying bullets.

I’ve owned a gun since the day I left for college. On that day, my Vietnam veteran Dad, who never found out why there was a hole in his kitchen floor, put one in my hand, with only one instruction, pull that lever when you need to. Yup, this was pretty much my educational process up till now. Boy did I need NAAGA!

Through my chapter orientation class (Bass Reeves Gun Club–Atlanta) I was immediately given the opportunity to train, meet active members, and take part in the general body meetings. It is at one of the general body meetings that I was given the opportunity to express my interest in youth firearm safety.

I am a high school science teacher in the Atlanta Public School district, I have four children of my own, and I was once a youth who severely needed firearm education. Prior to my introduction to NAAGA I had been disturbed by the number of people, specifically children, who are affected by gun violence and accidental firearm discharge. The last student funeral for my school was for a young man killed by accidental discharge at the hands of a friend at his home. These realities touch me deeply, especially since I was one who was lucky and did not kill my friend.

Youth access to education and support has always been my passion and focus. Our President, Colin Mapp extended the invitation for all members to have a discussion around initiatives we felt passionate about and felt would enhance the reach of the chapter for members and the community. As you know in our community, if you suggest it, you better be ready to own it and put in work because our leadership is always ready to move the bar!

The following weekday, I received an email from Colin Mapp, asking if I was ready to get to work building our youth division with one of my sisters-in-arms. I met Khadijah LaMot at my first “Ladies Outdoor Shooting Event”, which is given by our chapter monthly. We were both new and we quickly formed a “range buddy” group with several sisters there.

By the time we had our first youth meeting launch, a crew of eight interested chapter members had already signed on to be a part of the mission including our amazing President, and our Vice President, Casandra Light. As a team we quickly decided what goals we wanted to work toward for our youth. This mission was quickly upgraded after a conversation with one of our partnering organizations, Forge, whom brought it to our attention that the fastest growing population for suicide statistics was our Black youth, and handguns were the tool of choice. Our mission changed to create awareness and support for parents and their children in our youth programming.

Our team spent four months designing a training and support program for our youth and their parents around firearm safety. We successfully completed our first session June 5th-6th. The program was designed to teach the fundamentals of safety, marksmanship, an introduction to the Civilian Marksmanship Program, nomenclature, live fire, and suicide prevention. Our “graduating class” completed the course with honors, had an opportunity to continue their education and become part of the education course, and had an opportunity to become a part of the CMP youth shooting team and potentially receive scholarships.

When I began this journey nine months ago, I had absolutely no idea a NAAGA membership would provide me with support from such an outstanding community, and provide me with the opportunity to learn so much more. I never knew I would be able to bring my passion for the youth to this organization and be given the opportunity to work with members who have become family toward such an impactful goal.

I’m being given the opportunity to provide youth with the instruction and support I needed when I was their age.  I am a proud NAAGA Bass Reeves member and I will forever be grateful for being given the opportunity to serve in this capacity! I look forward to our team having a lasting impact on the entire community around us, and hopefully, to see a youth division in every chapter for national impact! As we say in the Bass Reeves Atlanta chapter, Stay Fearless!

Khadijah LaMot:

I am from upstate NY where the gun laws are polar opposite of Georgia. I grew up in a single family home where my Mom didn’t have a lot of time nor patience to explain things. What she said is what we listened to and did.  If we didn’t, there would be a serious consequence! In saying that, she always told us to stay away from drugs, guns and “bad people”.

She would often say, “Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time because I ain’t bailing you out!” That left us associating guns with crime or something bad. We were never taught about our right to bear arms. It was like the 2nd Amendment didn’t apply to us. Needless to say, my brother and I stayed away from guns until we became grown adults.  I shot my first gun at age 40 when out on a date. I was told to hold it like this and pull the trigger when you’re ready. I couldn’t believe the gun shop attendant didn’t ask if we had ever used a gun before or had any basic knowledge of handguns. I quickly realized that is something I’d have to seek out on my own. The gun shop attendant suggested I try out a 40 caliber first to see how I liked it! 😳 How crazy is that?

During the years of the Trump administration, my close girlfriends and I often talked about purchasing a gun to defend ourselves and our families. While researching about first time gun owners, I stumbled upon the NAAGA website. After reading the first few lines of what the organization is about, I was adamant about joining that day!

Shortly thereafter, they provided me with names of local gun clubs and I chose the Bass Reeves Gun Club. My first event was the Ladies Day Out. I was blown away at how many black women were so familiar with firearms. They were patient with me and taught me a lot. They have inspired me to become a better shooter and perhaps an instructor down the line.

A few months later our amazing President, Colin Mapp was so kind to bring me up to date on a general membership meeting I’d missed. He mentioned the different committees they wanted to initiate due to the great need in our communities as well as a lot of overall interest from members. I have two sons and felt like being a part of the Youth Committee would afford them the opportunity I didn’t get at their ages to learn about our constitutional right to bear arms in a positive light.

After learning Miko was going to be a co-lead, I was sold. She’s such a solid sister! I couldn’t have asked for a better group of committee members. I consider them my new found family. Like I’ve told our President, Colin in the past, “You can’t get rid of me now, we’re family”. I am here to stay!

We also included photos of the Youth Initiative Event. What started out as a group of disinterested teens in a focus group transitioned to intensely engaged, and excited young minds ready to learn about all of the responsibilities of using firearms. The Atlanta NAAGA chapter learned what it will take to get young people’s full attention and dedication to learn what is needed to become a responsible American citizen who exercises their 2^nd Amendment rights. They look forward to launching their official Youth Initiative soon.