Louisville choir uses faith, music and mentorship to reach the city's youth

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- More than 500 juveniles have been shot, killed or charged as an adult for a violent crime in Louisville in the last five years.

This week, WDRB is looking beyond the bullets — hosting a roundtable on youth violence with those impacted by it, involved in it and working to stop it. Ahead of the special airing Thursday, we're introducing some of our panelists — people sharing what they're doing to keep more kids alive and out of harm's way.

One of them is Frenchie Flanagan, a force of faith, joy and purpose.

"My main goal was to make St. Stephen the most fun place on the planet," she said. "Every single week, I have to create some type of interaction that's intentional."

Flanagan the Young Generation Choir — or YG — at St. Stephen Baptist Church. What started with no members just a year ago has now grown to include about 100 students from sixth through 12th grades. YG grew quickly thanks to Flanagan and a team of volunteers who see the choir as far more than a music ministry.

"Some of the kids have requested prayer or conversation with some of the other team members because they've lost friends," she said. "So it's a spillover of emotions for them. And it's very heartbreaking for me, because I just can't imagine being 12 or 13 and having to grieve a friend who's been killed. I can't imagine being a parent or grandparent worried about if my kid goes to school, are they going to make it home."

The panelists on WDRB's Beyond the Bullets roundtable discussion on youth violence in Louisville.

Music is just the beginning. The real mission, Flanagan said, is to hold onto these kids — to give them safety, belonging and love.

"Do you feel like you have to hold on to them?" WDRB's Gilbert Corsey asked Flanagan. "Otherwise, they could wind up possibly in the same situation of that friend they're grieving?"

"Absolutely," she replied.

Flanagan is part of WDRB's upcoming Beyond the Bullets special for a reason. The conversation includes people like her — everyday leaders who are reaching the heart of the community and confronting Louisville's juvenile crime epidemic head-on.

"Each one reach one," she said during the roundtable discussion. "It should be that every church starts within their own community."

Her approach is simple but effective — meet kids where they are and make church a place they want to be.

"We create an environment that's safe but fun (and) related to church," she said. "The fun activities are the carrot. And then the kids want to come back. And then singing is just something we just so happen to be doing."

From there, it's field trips, sneaker balls, lock-ins, birthday parties, guest speakers and even visits from police officers.

"I just feel like if we make a small change with this group of 75, then those 75 grow up to be good adults," Flanagan said.

The choir meets once a week for practice and sings once a month. That time also includes tutoring sessions for students who need extra help — a reflection of the group's focus on consistency and connection.

"They beat me to the church," Flanagan said with a smile.

Everyone is welcome, regardless of their membership status at church, and Flanagan knows the work is making a difference.

"You know how I know it's working?" she said. "When I look at my phone and somebody texts me 'Hey, I made the student council president,' or 'Will you be a reference for a job?'

"When I see it working, I can just scream and run down 15th Street."

Her mission is clear — to keep young people singing, smiling and safe one note, one child and one church community at a time.

Others spotlighted in the solutions panel include:

Christopher 2x of Future Healers, a Louisville-based mentorship and education initiative created to support children who've been exposed to violence and inspire them to pursue careers in medicine and community healing
- It launched in 2021 in partnership with the University of Louisville School of Medicine. More than 800 kids have participated in the first five years. 2x was recognized with the FBI's Director's Community Leadership Award, the bureau's highest civilian honor for the crime prevention effort.
Mark Singleton, city life director at Greater Louisville Youth for Christ
- This faith-based nonprofit partners with local churches and volunteers to reach middle and high school students, often in under-resourced neighborhoods. The program provides mentorship, after-school activities, Bible study, life skills training, and community service opportunities.
Steve Clayton, owner of Rolling Video Games Owner
- A survivor of gun violence himself, Clayton launched rolling video games in 2018 as a way to bring safe activities to young people in low-income communities.
Angela Wilson, director of the Louisville Urban League's Youth Intervention Program
- The program aims to reduce youth violence and recidivism amongst justice-involved individuals aged 16-24 by providing case management, group sessions, and skill-building activities. It is designed as a diversionary pathway to avoid formal court processing, foster personal growth, and equip participants with tools for positive change.

"Beyond the Bullets" will air at 7 p.m. Thursday on WDRB.

Beyond the Bullets | Louisville family confronts the cycle of youth violence