‘Mission Still Possible’: Nonprofit empowering young men of color to succeed, prevent gun violence

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The nonprofit Operation Save Our Sons is now officially 10 years strong. It’s a group focused on helping boys of color from ages 10 to 18 find success, rather than turn to violence.

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“It’s about empowering young men to believe that they can make a difference and giving them both the inspiration and information to do that,” said Operation Save Our Sons founder John Guns.

During a summit held Friday, Guns spoke to 165 students from more than a dozen different schools to let them know that changing the narrative starts with them.

“The next leader is in this room,” he said as he pointed into the crowd.

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All students got a shirt with the message: “Mission Still Possible.”

It let them know they can be leaders and accomplish their dream, without letting bad influences stand in the way. It’s a responsibility 18-year-old Carson Hagans, a senior at Lone Star High School, takes seriously.

“I didn’t think the cycle started with me,” he admitted. “I thought it was a generational takedown, but it starts with me. If I’m riding with [my friend] and he’s doing stuff that’s not right and I’m still riding with him, then I know it’s my fault.”

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Hagans feels he can be the role model his younger brother, and his community, needs him to be.

“[My brother] won’t see me holding a gun,” he said.

It’s a simple promise Operation Save Our Sons believes can help rescue young lives that would potentially be lost at the barrel-end of a gun.

“Y’all are all going to live,” Guns assured the students. “You may not know how big of a statement that is, but in the name of the Lord Jesus, I believe you are going to live,” he added, as a round of applause took over the room.

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