Star of Brooklyn: Chris Foye

CHRIS FOYE CEO & FOUNDER OF THE CHRIS S. OWENS FOUNDATION

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: It all started on April 26, 2009, when Chris Foye’s 13-year-old son Chris Owens was killed by a stray bullet in Harlem. In honor of his son and striving to put an end to the culture of gun violence, Foye created the 501 c(3) non-profit organization, The Chris S. Owens Foundation.

“I knew it was a social issue that needs to be addressed,” Foye said. “We’re a youth community development organization, with a focus on gun violence because of tragic situations.” According to the foundation’s website, its mission is to stop the epidemic of youth gun violence in America with the application of correct education that will raise the consciousness and quality of life for everyone.

The foundation specializes in working with youths ages 12 to 24. It has annual events throughout the year and provides scholarships to children impacted by gun violence and financial struggles. It also offers the community job training skills and tries to teach youngsters to be entrepreneurs and critical thinkers.

Foye administers a four-weekend cycle program that educates at-risk teens, young adults and community members to identify pro-social and anti-social behavior. In addition, the program teaches participants to apply conflict resolution techniques to real life situations.

MOTIVATION: “My personal motivation is just this connection with my son being killed by gun violence and also raised in communities impacted by gun violence throughout my life,” Foye said. “It’s something important to me. I really feel if this isn’t addressed soon, it will affect thousands of people.” Not only did he lose his son, but he has lost countless friends to gun violence, Foye stressed.

His experiences have motivated him to educate others and make a change, to “Show people how to be critical thinkers and entrepreneurs,” said Foye, adding, “[It’s] also my passion to make a positive change.”

PROFESSIONAL LIFE: Foye is a director, filmmaker and CEO at CSO Communications LLC. “We create marketing campaigns. I do acting as well. I’ve been in various commercials,” said Foye. “Overall, my passion is being creative. I like to do things relative to the youth.”

Thanks to a scholarship taking him to Paris, France, his latest project is “American Film Set in Paris,” a comparison of gun culture in America compared to France.

HONORS: Foye is a recipient of the Newman Civic Fellows and Serviam Award, presented by the College of New Rochelle for his civic engagement programs.

GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Having a son at a young age and watching him grow when he was alive, “I feel like that was my greatest accomplishment in life,” Foye said. Owens was his only son.

PERSONAL LIFE: Currently, Foye is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Communications at the College of New Rochelle. He resides in Brooklyn.