Mission & Vision

The mission of Brothers Against Banging Youth (BABY) is to prevent young people in South Los Angeles from entering gangs and to reduce the impact of gang activity on our communities.

We envision a future where all young people in South Los Angeles are safe, supported, and have the resources they need to be successful. BABY accomplishes this through a comprehensive approach that includes mentorship, education, community engagement, and re-entry programs. By providing a safe environment to learn, fostering parent involvement, and mediating conflicts at schools and in the community, BABY strives to keep our young people out of prisons and on track to succeed.

History

BABY was founded in 2009 by Charles “Bear” Spratley. A former recruiter for the East Coast Crips, Bear was able to leave gang life behind and decided to use his experience to deter youth from going down the same path. Through programs that include on-campus mentorship, skill building, leadership training, and strategic in-reach, BABY has worked with more than 10,000 children and young adults, as well as currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, to help them transform their lives.

Over the course of more than a decade, BABY has grown from a grassroots operation offering informal mentorship and support to a full-service organization that provides a comprehensive approach to gang prevention and community empowerment. Working together, BABY’s programs empower youth, parents, and community members to take control of their future and achieve success.

Charles Spratley is the Founder and Executive Director of BABY

For more than a decade, Charles has worked with schools, community-based organizations, and law enforcement to help prevent and deter kids in South Los Angeles from joining gangs. Charles is one of the founding members of a collaborative to reduce violence through cooperation and sports organized by B.A.B.Y. and Restoring American Communities through Empowerment (R.A.C.E.). Additionally, Charles serves as a community advisor to the workforce development organization Community Centers, Inc., where he assists in resolving issues in various communities throughout Los Angeles. He has been featured in documentaries such as award-winning crack in the system, Street Gangs.com, and numerous radio and TV panels on reducing gang violence.

"Hi, my name is Charles Spratley, a.k.a Bear. I was a gang member and part of the East Coast Crips. After an attempt on my life by some of the same guys that I called homies or friends, I decided to change my life. Previously, I played a big part in recruiting new kids. After the attempt on my life, I decided I would use that power positively and work to keep our kids out of gangs.

In 2009 I founded Brothers Against Banging Youth (B.A.B.Y.). We provide gang prevention and crisis intervention services for at-risk youth in the City of Los Angeles. We work with public and charter schools, as well as the Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation, to promote self-esteem building, teach conflict resolution, and offer mentorship and tutoring. B.A.B.Y. works with men and women who came out of gangs all over Los Angeles County who are willing to tell our youth that we made bad choices in our younger days and to share how we have changed our lives. We are trying to fix the destruction that we created and we're taking back our future by giving our youth back their future. We are giving them a choice by telling them the truth about gangs, murders, robberies, fights, stealing, jail/prison, drugs, and all other negative behaviors that come with making bad choices and will make a big impact on their lives."

Meet the Team

  • Charles Spratley

    Executive Director

  • Kene Washington

    Director of Program Development

  • Angela Snyder

    Quality Assurance & Compliance

  • Mishanay Johnson

    HR & Payroll Coordinator

  • Star Vanpool

    Program Director/ Resource

  • James Sims

    Lead Prevention Specialist

  • Reverend James I. Jones, Jr.

    Strategic Advisor

  • Craig Spratley

    IT Director

Our Board of Directors

The members of our Board of Directors play an integral role in steering BABY toward a sustainable and successful future.

We are actively recruiting new Board Members to help shape and support the future of our work. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us at info@babyla.org.