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    Manny, a Black man in his mid-20s, stands in the center of a brown stage in front of a projected slide that reads
    Students Demand Action

    “Don’t Get Tricked Out Ya Spot” Conflict Resolution Tour

    7.16.2024

      In May 2024, the What I Wish I Knew Foundation (WIWIK) produced the “Don’t Get Tricked Out Ya Spot” Conflict Resolution Tour powered by Students Demand Action. 

      WIWIK was founded in 2019 by Emmanuel “Manny 215” Clark, a 22-year-old Philadelphia-based artist. The organization works to give back to the Philadelphia community, giving Philly youth the tools and resources Manny wishes he had known when he was their age.

      Four organizers of the conflict resolution tour post for a photo. They all appear to be Black; three appear to be women; Manny is pictured on the far right of the group.
      A photo of Manny taken at a side profile. Manny is sitting on a black leather chair with gold studs and brown legs. Manny wears a black baseball cap flipped backward, a black t-shirt, black pants, white socks, and black sneakers. Behind his chair, you can see (from left to right) a green plant in a gold pot, a flag, and a red velvet curtain.
      19 planning members of the conflict resolution tour gather on stage. Manny is pictured in the center wearing a black cap, black t-shirt, black pants, white socks, and sneakers.

      “We become who we needed when we were younger. Who you see in these photos are just individuals who’ve gotten through life situations and want to pave a way for the next ones coming up after us.”

      —Manny and the WIWIK Team

      Although gun violence in Philadelphia has declined in recent years, it continues to have a profound impact on individuals and communities across the city. 

      As of July 12, 2024, at least 124 people had been killed and more than 450 people had been wounded by gun violence in Philadelphia since the beginning of the year, the majority of whom were Black or Hispanic. According to the Philadelphia Office of the Controller, at least 170 of the people killed or wounded by gun violence in the city this year as of July 12, 2024, were between the ages of 13 and 21.

      WIWIK and Students Demand Action brought the “Don’t Get Tricked Out Ya Spot” Conflict Resolution Tour to five high schools in the Philadelphia area:

      1. Dobbins High School
      2. Martin Luther King High School
      3. Overbrook High School
      4. Mastery Charter School: Shoemaker Campus
      5. John Bartram High School

      The Conflict Resolution Tour had one mission: To teach students critical conflict resolution skills to reduce violence in their lives and their city.

      Black students attending the conflict resolution tour gather toward the stage; many of them have their phones or other recording devices out and are pointing the cameras toward the stage, filming a performance.
      At least 12 students are pictured with a performing artist at one of the schools on the conflict resolution tour. The image is black and white, and all the students are holding both their arms up, waving both hands with their palms facing the camera. The artist has his right arm raised and is holding a microphone with his left.
      A Philadelphia artist performs at the Don't Get Tricked Out Ya spot tour. They are seen at a side profile and are wearing red and white Nike shoes, khaki pants, a cobalt blue shirt with neon orange lettering, and a white-and-blue baseball cap. They have brown dreadlocks that reach just below their shoulders. Students surrounding the artist are watching them perform.

      Manny underscored that many students see examples of conflict in their lives—like when parents fight in the kitchen—but miss the resolution and repair that often takes place behind closed doors. 

      As Manny said, “Life is learned behavior.” Youth see that “you fight, then things go back to normal,” but miss the conversations and changed behavior that lead to repair. Through music, dance, and presentations, the Conflict Resolution Tour modeled an open process of de-escalating conflict without violence.

      A photo of a laptop, set on a rolling projector cart; the laptop is in focus, while the students in the background behind it are blurred. The slide has a blue background with a Black student pictured on the far left; the student has braids and a white sweatshirt. In white text centered on the slide, the words "What is conflict resolution?" appear in all caps.

      Students learned how to:

      • Consider options,
      • Make the right decision under pressure,
      • Use emotional intelligence, and
      • Become a changemaker in their community
      Conflict resolution tour attendees respond to something a speaker has just said; many raise their hands in the air.

      “It’s up to us to actually save one another. And we learned the requirements, the skills, the tools to stand up when it’s time to stand up. When it’s time to stand up, we become change agents in our communities.”

      —“Don’t Get Tricked Out Ya Spot” Conflict Resolution Tour attendee reflecting on their takeaway

      Over 1,000 students attended the Conflict Resolution Tour in May. More than 20,000 social media accounts engaged with WIWIK’s posts about the tour, and over 269,000 accounts were reached by the tour’s content. Those aren’t just numbers: They are people who have been impacted by Manny’s message about resolving conflict without violence.

      Three Black students are centered in the image, linking elbows and singing along to music. They are swaying and smiling with open mouths at the camera. Three other students are pictured in front of them, and many students in the background of the image are also dancing.
      Manny raises his right arm as he talks to students attending the conflict resolution tour at Overbrook High School. The photo is taken from the back of the stage, showing Manny's back and the faces of many of the audience members. Manny wears black shorts, a black t-shirt, and a white-and-black paneled baseball cap that reads "215" in black lettering. In the right side of the frame, a person is pictured taking a photo of Manny speaking to the students.
      A photo taken at a slight profile angle of Black students attending the conflict resolution tour. The photo appears to have been taken with a camera flash. Many students are smiling and filming the stage.

      We’ll give the last word to Manny:

      “On behalf of the What I Wish I Knew Foundation, thank you to all the students, faculty, and online supporters for helping have a successful tour.

      “A big thanks to my family at Everytown and Students Demand Action for believing in and giving this kid from 21st and Medary, Philadelphia, an opportunity to do more great things. 

      “Educate yaself, be intentional, speak direct, and never go to the table with a selfish agenda. Text WISH to 644-33 to get involved with the work.”

      Take Action

      Manny, a Black man in his mid-20s, holds a microphone to his mouth in his right hand. He has partial sleeve tattoos on his right upper arm and a neck tattoo. He is wearing a black baseball cap, a black t-shirt, black pants, and has a white watch on his left wrist.

      Text WISH to 644-33 to get involved with Students Demand Action.

      Learn more about the What I Wish I Knew Foundation.

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      Did you know?

      Guns are the #1 killer of 18-25 year olds.

      CDC, WONDER, Provisional Mortality Statistics, Multiple Cause of Death, 2023. Ages: 18–25.

      Last updated: 11.8.2024