Diamond Ocasio

Rie’onna Holman and Diamond Ocasio are ambassadors of B.R.A.V.E. Youth Leaders at the Ark of St. Sabina. B.R.A.V.E. is an acronym for “Bold Resistance Against Violence Everywhere.” BRAVE was established in 2012 by a group of youth who wanted to make a difference in the community. Members ages 13-21 meet weekly to plan various events and activities that promote peace and positive change in the city. They are trained in areas of public speaking, advocacy, peer support, leadership, sportsmanship, personal responsibility, and project development. Students have organized several local violence prevention efforts, and they have recently received national media attention.
B.R.A.V.E. youth participated in a documentary on violence by Katie Couric, and a member of B.R.A.V.E. was on “CNN Tonight” with Don Lemon, and also spoke in D.C. for the March For Our Lives rally, with a speech titled “Every Day Shootings are Everyday Problems.”