The Founder.
Omar Jahwar tackles the politics and issues that affect inner city youth in the Dallas community. He takes a unique approach to gang intervention by employing ex-offenders, many of whom are former gang members, and utilizing their experiences in that lifestyle to get a strong message of action and consequences across to youth at risk.
Emerging as an important leader and outspoken voice in the community, he is the founder of Vision Regeneration, Inc., a life shaping entity designed to assist the social sculpting of inner city youth. Vision Regeneration presently provides counseling and mentoring services to four Dallas Public schools.
Mr. Jahwar was instrumental in creating Dallas’ first Violence Free Zone (VFZ), a concept developed by Center for Neighborhood Enterprise (CNE) originator Robert Woodson. Based on the philosophy that crime and violence can be prevented by transforming the thoughts and perceptions of individuals who participate in crime and violence, Vision’s track record is proof that with early and positive intervention and value reinforcement, youth can be deterred from crime and violence.
The first person to hold a recognized position within the State of Texas as Gang Interventionist, a congressional speaker on grassroots solutions to youth crime, and grant recipient from the City of Dallas for youth crime initiatives, Mr. Jahwar spearheaded the first gang truce in Dallas between the “Crips” and “Bloods” in 2000 and addressed a Russian delegation in St. Petersburg, Russia in December 2002 on the issue of youth violence. He recently addressed U.S. Justice Department officials and Washington D.C. principals on this important topic.
He is the recipient of numerous accolades and awards including, but not limited to:
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Keynote Speaker – Mentoring Program Regional Training 2007 for US Dept. of Education |
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2005 Award Recipient for Crime and Safety – “Let Justice Role On Like A River” |
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“Key” to the city of Dallas in recognition for work in juvenile crime prevention |
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White House Award for Achievement Against the Odds |
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Accommodations from Dallas Mayor, Ron Kirk, for work in the community |
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“Black History Minute” Honoree, KRLD News Radio1080 |
In addition to his community activism, Jahwar released three CD’s, NuKoncept,Songs for Christmas and A Musical Conversation- an original music project on his label, Butterfly Records. He is presently working on a book project entitled “The Rules of the Game”.
Mr. Jahwar can be reached @ 972.218.1921. |
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