On Tuesday, September 22, Up2Us Sports presented a panel of distinguished experts for a discussion on violence prevention strategy and goals, moderated by Founder and CEO, Paul Caccamo. The primary objective of the panel was to focus people’s attention on the power trained sports-based youth development coaches have to help kids say no to violence and make better decisions.

The panel included influential Los Angeles community members who are experts in the space and are passionate about reducing youth violence in Los Angeles and around the country. Panelists included:

• Megan Bartlett, Chief Program Officer, Up2Us Sports;

• Blake Chow, Commanding Officer - West Bureau, Los Angeles Police Department

• Bruce McCall Jr., Sports Program Lead, Sheriff’s Youth Foundation

• Pam Shriver, Olympic gold medalist in tennis and ESPN commentator

• Anne Tremblay, Director, Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction & Youth Development

• George Weaver, Vice President of Child Development and Special Programs, Brotherhood Crusade.

The panelists spoke candidly about the current situation in Los Angeles, the role trained coaches can play in youth crime and violence prevention and the efforts that are being made by the LAPD, LA Sheriff’s Department, LA Mayor’s office and others to help combat the epidemic.

The panel was attended by nearly 100 guests, including a new cohort of Coach Across America coaches who were attending the Up2Us Sports National Coach Training Institute in Los Angeles.