Shanduke McPhatter

Shanduke McPhatter is a community activist based in Brooklyn, New York City. He is the founder and executive director of Gangstas Making Astronomical Community Change (GMACC), a non-profit organization that focuses on helping at-risk youths avoid gangs and gun violence. He is a former Bloods gang member.

Shanduke McPhatter
Born
Brooklyn, New York
OccupationActivist
Years active2008–present
Known forFounder of Gangstas Making Astronomical Community Changes (GMACC)
Websitegangstamackin.com

Life and career

McPhatter grew up in public housing[1] in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.[2] His mother raised him, but he never knew his father.[1] McPhatter was first arrested at age 16 for a strong-arm mugging. A few years after that, he spent his first stint in jail for allegedly robbing a store, although he has continually maintained his innocence in that case. He took a three-year plea deal in 1996 in that matter to avoid the possibility of a 15-year prison sentence. While imprisoned at Rikers Island, he joined the Bloods gang. He also adopted the name "Trife Gangsta". McPhatter would later spend time in [[Comstock Correctional Facility], [[Clinton Correctional Facility], and [Elmira Correctional Facility] on a variety of Robbery,drug-related and other convictions.[3]

In 1999, he earned a job as a security guard, working with a company until 2001 when it was discovered they were in violation of a state law prohibiting convicted felons from working as security guards. He went back to selling drugs at that time in Gowanus, Brooklyn.[3] In 2003, he was arrested for murder, but the charges were later dropped in 2004 when the actual gunman in the case came forward.[4] McPhatter remained in and out of prison until his most recent release in April 2008.[3] He formulated the plans for his non-profit organization, Gangstas Making Astronomical Community Changes (GMACC), while still behind bars.[5] He also earned his GED while in prison.[3]

After his release, McPhatter began canvassing Brooklyn neighborhoods with other residents[6] and Brooklyn council member, Jumaane Williams, to combat gun violence. Williams advocated for GMACC, partially because its programs were similar to the Cure Violence program in use throughout the city. This eventually led to GMACC receiving government funding.[3] In 2015, GMACC opened its first headquarters at a location in East Flatbush.[6] McPhatter helped open a second GMACC office in Fort Greene in January 2019.[7] In addition to organizing marches against gun violence,[8] the organization also offers mental health counseling, job training, conflict mediation, educational resources, and mentorship (among other services).[2][9] New York City officials credited the organization for a 30% reduction in gun crime in its precinct between 2012 and 2017.[10]

References
  1. Angley, Natalie (3 November 2017). "Former gang member helps at-risk youth". CNN. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  2. Schmidt, Linda (11 October 2017). "Ex-gang member works to stop violence in Brooklyn". WNYW. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  3. Barrow, Eric (15 December 2015). "On the meanest streets of East Flatbush, where gang feuds often turn bloody, respect is measured by the harm one inflicts on a rival. Now, a fledgling group led by a former gangbanger has put down stakes here, in an effort to keep the peace". New York Daily News. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  4. Buffa, Denise (1 December 2004). "'REAL MURDERER' GETS WRONG MAN OFF HOOK". New York Post. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  5. Atkinson, Khorri (1 June 2015). "Former Gang Members, Community Rally Against Gun Violence in NYC". NBC News. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  6. Lieberman, Samuel (25 March 2015). "Former Gang Members Are Trying to Snuff Out Violence in New York City". Vice. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  7. Leonhardt, Andrea (28 January 2019). "Anti-Gun Violence Group G-MACC Opens Second Office in Fort Greene". BKReader. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  8. Monterose, Isaac (29 June 2017). "Shanduke McPhatter's Gangstas Making Astronomical Community Changes". New York Amsterdam News. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  9. Leigh, Danielle (4 January 2019). "What caused the murder rate in one Brooklyn neighborhood to drop 65 percent?". WABC. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  10. Harris, Chris (11 August 2017). "How a Gang Member Became an Anti-Gun Violence Advocate: 'Anything Is Possible'". People. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
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