Tyrone Barnwell is a community organizer with Baltimore’s Safe & Sound Campaign, a 10-year movement to measurably improve conditions for children, youth and families under the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s national Urban Health Initiative. A three year veteran of the organization (half of which was spent as a volunteer), Tyrone leads the advocacy effort to stop the building of a new jail for youth charged as adults.
1. IN JUST ONE SENTENCE, WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE? To help start a worldwide movement where children will know that they can be whatever they want to be.
2. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE YOU “EXPIRE?” Because employment is critical to being a thriving member of our community and because currently there is not enough opportunity to prepare and provide youth with jobs, I would like to start and lead a youth program that prepares youth for adulthood and that teaches them work place readiness skills and financial management. This program would provide a safe space for youth and would meet them where they are by asking them about and listening to their needs.
3. IF YOU COULD MEET WITH ANYONE (ALIVE), WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU ASK THEM? Patti LaBelle, and I would ask her to please marry me right now.
4. WHAT WOULD THE TITLE OF YOUR BOOK BE? “Your Struggles Develop Your Strengths”
5. WHO WOULD PLAY YOU, IN A MOVIE ABOUT YOUR LIFE? With his great sense of humor and his ability to adapt to many situations on screen and I am sure off-screen, it would have to be Will Smith. He would capture my playful and serious ways, and not to mention by great looks.
6. WHAT IS A BELIEF THAT IS CORE TO YOUR BEING? As we say at Safe and Sound, “With opportunity, life turns out better.” If you give a seed the proper sunlight and water that it needs, it will grow into a beautiful flower. Likewise, if you give kids the proper opportunities, they will grow up to become our future doctors, lawyers, teachers, presidents, whatever it is they want to be – the sky is the limit.
7. WHO ARE YOUR HEROES? I choose Joann Barnwell, my mother, because she went beyond her duties of a mother to not only raise me and my brother as a single parent, but she also raised five others on her own, and treated them as equals to me and my brother. She made a way out of no way, with little education and little money; she made a way to support us all. As far back as I can remember, my mom would cook meals for homeless people at Thanksgiving and Christmas. We would have dinner with them outside, and we would give them any clothes and blankets that we could gather up. And that makes her my hero. I have to also say Lady Gaga because she has broken many barriers and helped people to be who they are because they were born that way.
8. IF YOU WEREN’T DOING THIS, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? I would be touring the world with Lady Gaga as one of her main dancers setting the stage on fire. Laughing out loud…
9. TELL US SOMETHING SURPRISING ABOUT YOURSELF. As charismatic and as open as I am to a lot of things, I am totally scared of heights — no roller coasters for me.
10. WHAT QUESTION DO YOU WISH I HAD ASKED? If I could change one thing about the world, what would it be? My answer: That people would not be categorized by the color of their skin.
ORGANIZATIONAL LINKS: Safe and Sound main site, Facebook Page, Twitter: @SafeAndSoundOrg
TYRONE’S INFO: Twitter: @Tyronebarnwell
I think this is great. The youth need to feel and know that they are supported and that there are people actually looking out for their best interests. It’s always great when someone steps out to break the cycle so that future generations can have a better experience.
Thank you i among many that i work with and know wants whats best for children and youth
Being a teen in Baltimore is not an easy life especially with the limit of opportunities. After reading this I find it encouraging and inspiring. Thanks for being one of the good people out there.
Tyrone, this piece is wonderful and totally captures your heart and mind, and smile of course! While I know Lady Gaga would be lucky to have you, I’m grateful that you’re here in Baltimore looking out for what it will take to make our city the great place in can be. And I agree with you that what it will take is believing and then investing our public dollars to reflect that all kids, no matter the zip code they’re born in to, are destined to thrive and succeed and if given the opportunities that we currently deprive so many of, they will do just that!
A heartfelt thanks for all you do, Alli
I also want to give a shout-out to Rich Polt, who founded and runs this web site, “Communicate Good” who channels his impressive communications expertise to organizations and people trying to do good! Here’s his mission statement – “Communicate Good helps nonprofits, foundations and for-profit social enterprises distill complex ideas and then communicate them strategically and effectively to advance their missions and accomplish their goals.” Check out the rest of his web site while you’re here!
Thanks so much for the mention Alli. I’m enjoying this new section of the site immensely. Too many people like Tyrone, are doing important work in their communities, yet their efforts go unnoticed. Talking GOOD gives us a rare moment to learn a bit more about the individuals who are working behind the scenes in the nonprofit sector, and making it all happen.
Rich i appreciate this platform and i appreciate your concerns for our efforts that goes unnoticed. you rock
WELL SPOKEN TYRONE I’M HAPPY TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE CARES ABOUT OUR CHIDREN’S FUTURE BESIDES SOME PARENT’S AND SOME TEACHER’S. NOW I PRAY THAT IN ALL SUBJECTS OF LIFE WE WOULD GET REAL SUPPORT BUT MOST OF ALL, ALL HUMANINTY WOULD SUPPORT EACH OTHER. IT TAKES MAN AND A WOMEN TO MAKE CHILDREN, BUT IT TAKE GOD AND A VILLAGE RAISE THEM.CONTINUE TO LET GOD USE YOU. LOVE YOU
First of all reading this was serious and funny. It is totally you. You have never really been a cut cards person more of a tell is like it T.I IS. This was wonderfully it shows growth yet humor it shows love while living it just definitely shows you. Oh and the Patti marry me now has been your feeling forever. Keep reaching the stars are close to your hands now!!!!”
I believe what your doing is wonderful and I love the fact that you really care about the childrens furture. Truth be told that’s who really matters now days, because a lot of this kids dont have good role models to look up too. Its good to know that someone such as your self wants to show kids its a better life out here besides crime. Keep up the good work you have my support.
You are part of the reason i push to be all i can be as a youth in Baltimore. If We had more people with a heart and a bright mind like yours Baltimore city would be a better Place.Thank you!
Loved reading this! Tyrone we need more people like you especially more men that care about the future of the youth. Keep up the good work and continue to watch how God blesses you:-)!!
you being a role model in my life and a couple of my peers life is the reason we doing so great and not out in the streets throwing our life away and your one of the best role models baltimore city ever seen
Wow. Thanks for that heartfelt endorsement. They don’t come much stronger than that.
I just wanted to thank you for being someone who belive in us as young adults . It is people like you that keep us moving and working hard . Reading this only made me wanna keep proving everyone who dont belive in us wrong . THANK YOU
This is good to see somebody I look up to as a positive role model. I’m happy that people will get to see people who arent in power but has a huge effect on children life.
It’s great to know that, we have somebody not only for us but somebody that is willing to help out in our quest to make Baltimore a much better place for everyone not just youth. Thanks for being a good leader and a “fantastic” Community Organizer.
thanks for being someone that keeps pushing forward the justice of the youth Baltimore. You are a great role model that keeps fighting for us and me personally.
this man right hear is a powerful awsome man he’s the best role model, mentor yu will ever have find in baltimore city and im not just sayin that becuz i kno him personaly he just a fantasic person and would trade him for noone in thr world !!!!! a man of power
Tyrone — I’ve been so excited about the enthusiastic response to your Q&A. It’s one thing to say that an individual is “making a difference.” It’s a platitude that gets thrown around a lot these days (and I’m just as guilty as the next person). But when you hear it directly from the people whose lives you’ve impacted … well then it becomes real. Congratulations for making such a difference in the Baltimore community!
Tyrone I love everything you are doing in the community to help our youth better themselves. Keep up the good work, you represent for the young men doing better things.