Founded in 2005 in response to the rise of gun related violence and lack of positive opportunities available to New York and New Jersey youths. Stop Shootin’ Music, Inc. (SSM) aims to reduce gun related violence and promote programmes and events that provide young people with educational, cultural, and economic alternatives to criminal activities. Through entrepreneurial training, one to one mentoring, job placement and supplementary activities SSM has assisted over 3,500 young people to find positive alternatives to crime.