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Hundreds of black men, adorned in lime green shirts, answered their pastors call to show their presence uptown for July 4th. The effort spearheaded by University City Church Pastor Michael Stevens was in response to last month’s uptown murder during Memorial Day weekend. The killing highlighted the continued problem with unsupervised youth converging uptown. Stevens’ effort was called Church Men For Change and drew men from at least a half dozen churches.

Stevens peered around the area surrounding the EpiCentre watching volunteers mingle with Charlotte Mecklenburg Police and young people.

“It’s phenomenal,” Steven said. “It makes us proud.”

Church Men for Change wasn’t the only group of black male volunteers reaching out to young people on Monday. Men Who Care Global, led by Colin Pinkney, also patrolled uptown wearing blazing orange T-shirt. Pinkney’s group included men from churches, fraternities, civic organizations and others who weren’t affiliated with any organizations, but were simply concerned about our youth.

Many of the volunteers patrolling uptown said they were saddened about the deadly incident over Memorial Day weekend and wanted to help. Most said they wanted to show the youth that black men care about them and teens are welcome uptown – if they behave appropriately. Others like My92.7’s and city councilman Pat Cannon talked to youth about services and programs available to young people.

“This is an example of the community literally coming together,” said Cannon, sporting a Men Who Care Global shirt.

For men such as Derrick Burnette the uptown mobilization offered black churches a chance to counter complaints that churches ignore problems outside of the church walls.

Added Terry Baskin, “We care. These are our kids.”