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According to some, the youth from the Jane and Finch area of Toronto are destined for failure. These individuals, discount the children of J&F's chances for success, just because they live in an area plagued my gang violence, drug dealing and other nefarious activity. Their beliefs are strengthen with this popular narrative being perpetuated via various media outlet that only report on the malevolence occurring in the community. The fact of the matter is that the area is producing many success stories that aren't being celebrated. Steve Anderson's story in one of those stories!! Steve currently a lawyer with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) with over 16 years of service, and he also happens to be the Deputy Mayor of the Town of Shelburne, Ontario. In both roles, he's made history. In 2004, he became the first-ever Black lawyer hired in the TTC Legal Department. Then in 2017, he made history again as the first Black person to become a city Councillor. He has now added he accomplishment of becoming an author with the release of his new book, 'Driven to Succeed'. Follow our host on Instagram and Twitter @TPSShreky

This conversation with Alexandria, a survivor of the street gang subculture, starts off with her describing her middle-class upbringing and then how her life took a turn into the dark world of drug trafficking. Throughout her journey, Alexandria's trafficker abused her mentally, and physically in order to manipulate her into trafficking drugs for his street gang. Join us for this conversation and hear how Alexandria escaped the nefarious clutches of Toronto's gang life. The Engage416 Podcast is hosted by Detective Constable Shawn Geris Website: www.engage416.ca Website: www.torontogangprevention.ca Instagram: @Engage416 / @TPSShreky Twitter: @Engage416 / @TPSShreky E-Mail: gangprevention@torontpolice.on.ca Follow our host on Instagram and Twitter @TPSShreky