Realizing the importance of engaging and connecting with today's youth, Grammy Award nominated producer, Kevin "Khao" Cates, having produced for many major recording artists including Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z and Ruben Studdard and achieving monumental success in the music industry, decided now was his time to "give back." Determined to make a difference, Khao took a step back from his music career and invested a year of his time and finances to develop Bridge Da Gap – an innovative youth development program that engages today's youth like no other.   

Challenging the conventional way of teaching and reaching students, Khao created a program that integrates hip-hop music; multi-media presentations; creative hands-on activities; real-life stories relevant to everyday challenges experienced by today's youth; and self-reflection through journaling/personal evaluation into a 19-week program.  By providing multi-sensory stimulation, active inquiry-based learning, critical thinking opportunities and life application solutions that speak directly to youth as never before, this program is changing lives. 

Vimala Pillari, Ph.D
Dean and Professor –  Clark Atlanta University
Whitney M. Young, Jr., School of Social Work

·         Bridge DA Gap Book - Life stories/practical application solutions about topics/skills that directly impact the emotional, social, and physical well being of youth.

Inner Confidence (honesty, pride, dignity); Influences (friends/peers, music, people, family, media); Self-Control/Self-Management; Individual Responsibility, Death; Drugs/Alcohol; Self-Esteem and Self- Determination; Peer Pressure;  Anger;  Gang Violence; Nutrition/Exercise/Physical Health; Decision-making; Goal Setting to name a few.)

·         Bridge DA Gap Workbook - Topic related reflection questions aligned with the book, individual and group activities and personal journaling opportunities.

·         Bridge DA Gap Music CD - Character building Hip Hop music written to align specifically with the topics/skills in the book…designed to serve as a catalyst for the topic exploration and personal application.

·         Bridge DA Gap Program/Curriculum Resource - Multi-Media DVD containing topic introductions by "Kaho" Cates (directly aligned with book and music CD) and daily health tips by "friends of Kaho" industry personalities; detailed daily lesson plans with weekly/daily objectives (aligned with national standards) and supporting implementation recommendations; suggested individual/group activities/projects; reflection questions to support  journaling; application activity sheets; and visual and multi-media resources.

·         Bridge DA Gap Interactive Website

www.bridgedagap.com www.bridgedagap.org info@bridgedagap.com

"Bridge Da Gap is uniquely designed to meet the youth at their level and positioned to offer them critical life skills that improve the way they view and respond to the many complex personal issues and decisions that they face at school, home and in the communities in which they live.  Our youth can't stop talking about the effect it has already made in their lives in such a short time."

Diane Baker-King, Executive Director
Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA - Atlanta, GA