About Us
Boots has become a powerful force in the fight against violence due to its strong leadership and visionary thinking. The strategic direction of the organization is determined by our board, executive, and CVI teams, who support our determination to save lives and celebrate life every single day.
Message From The Founder & CEO
The most important thing I learned over 20 years in the US Air Force is the first step to winning is learning to slow down. The Air Force was a great place to work because our leaders created a space for us to think. We had to take a moment to reflect on the problems we were trying to resolve. It was in that culture that I learned how to be successful. The motto of the Air Force is “fly, fight, and win.”
Today, I am pleased to lead the team of Raleigh Boots On The Ground, a non-profit public charity that specializes in the prevention of and response to community violence. At Boots, I want our board, staff, and community to understand that we can always raise more money, but we can’t buy more time to solve the biggest challenges in our community.
At 51, I am in the final third of my professional career. My heart sings because I created a new organization with a mission that aligns with what I do. Addressing gun violence and creating trust between political and cultural divides so that we can save lives together.
If we take some time to think about another future, we can create another future. I have lived in Japan, where gun violence has been eradicated, England, where it is rare, and soon I will be visiting my daughter in Australia where they haven’t had a mass shooting in almost 30 years.
At Boots, our motto is family, community and opportunity. Our vision is, “If we can’t be safe, we can’t be free.” Our mission is to break the cycle of violence in Wake County.
Here, where we live, let us set an example for the country to use our time to build a safer future. Somebody’s gotta do it.
Why not us?
Gerald Givens Jr.
Founder/CEO, Raleigh Boots On The Ground
United States Air Force, Retired
Get Involved
Violence prevention is not something that can be done by some of us. It has to be taken on head first by all of us. Get involved in a growing movement of dedicated volunteers that are constructing safer, healthier homes, schools, and communities for our children.