Monday, November 24 2008 - BEYOND THE GANG
Danny Mora more photos >>
These days news coverage is glued to economic woes. But difficult economic times filter down to the streets, and police say they are facing a worrisome increase in gang activity.
Danny "Big Dan" Mora once roamed the streets of East Oakland, Calif., as a gang member. Danny Mora now is a senior at the University of California at Berkeley with plans to attend Harvard next year. Danny believes it is important to not leave the community. In fact, he mentors young people, encouraging them to stay out of gangs.
Danny talks to Dick Gordon about why older gang leaders grant him permission to recruit younger members off the streets - and why he believes weathering the violence in his old neighborhood will create positive change.
- View Danny's public service announcement about peace
- Listen to Danny's songs "Let's Take a Ride," "A Fif of Memory" and "RIP Omar" (explicit!)
- Learn more about Danny's work, and Youth Alive!, a program that helped him