Sons of Toledo
Sons of Toledo is the true story of the city’s Black-owned barber shops and their work on the frontlines of their communities, especially the cost of caring for the young men who see their shops as a place of refuge from the growing threat of gun violence in their neighborhoods.
SONS OF TOLEDO tells the story of gun violence in Toledo from the perspective of a barber. The film reminds us that leaders come in many forms in a community. This film highlights the complex reasons for the rise in gun violence particularly for young men of color. This story created by community members in Toledo has been a catalyst for conversation between high school students in the area to express their feelings and perspectives about youth gun deaths in Toledo. SONS OF TOLEDO will serve as a helpful example of how to create a fictional story informed by real lived experience. The planned conversations and activities put together to support the short film will put young people at the center of the conversation instead of silent as depicted in the film where the focus was on adult/parent perspectives. We are aware that many adults and youth in our area are grieving the loss of friend or family members due to gun violence.
We have been told by audience members that the final scene of SONS OF TOLEDO can be triggering. People have found it helpful to watch the film with a trusted adult or friend, so you have time to process. We are also aware of a great service in the Toledo community that provides grief support specifically to youth called Good Grief, supports can be accessed by calling 419 360-4939.
The Shadow Pandemic Toledo Youth Take on Gun Violence | Sons of Toledo
Classroom Discussion Materials
Please contact the creators for helpful materials to guide classroom discussion and activities for youth.Five writing prompts and activities and more learning about redlining and social determinants of health which includes a photo voice project and writing prompt. Please fill out the following short form to receive all materials:
Speakers in "The Shadow Pandemic Toledo Youth Take on Gun Violence"
Brysen Davis (Graduate of Rogers High School Fearless Writer from 2019-2022)
Brysen is currently a violence interrupter in the city that focuses on street outreach to vulnerable youth in our community. Brysen will be focusing on trauma and stress and how experiences in childhood influence how we come with adversity as adolescents and adults that may contribute to the complex issues surrounding gun violence.
Demetrius Wyatt (Bachelor of Social Work intern for Fearless Writers 2022-2023 and graduate of Rogers High School)
A school-based youth counselor and case manager. Demetrius will be focusing on resilience and protective factors that support youth success and leadership. He talks about what adults, schools, and communities can do to support young people facing adversity.
Tonenijah Johnson (Graduate of Rogers High School Fearless Writer from 2017-2020)
A recent college graduate. Tonenijah discusses ways young people can get involved and why youth perspective on gun violence is important to finding solutions.
Project Coordinators
Matt Foss
An associate professor in the theatre program at University of Toledo. His adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front received a Kennedy Center playwriting award. Foss won the 2020 University of Toledo Edith Rathburn Outreach and Engagement Excellence Award. Foss co-wrote Sons of Toledo.
Heather Sloane Cleary
An associate professor in the social work program at UTol. She is the creator/facilitator of Fearless Writers. This program nurtures connection through creative writing between interprofessional/interdisciplinary university mentors and Toledo Public High School students. This program attempts to counter consequences of neighborhood segregation in the United States. Can be reached at heather.sloane@utoledo.edu
