TAMPA, Fla. — With the uptick in gun violence among young people in the Bay, local organizations are getting creative in hopes of saving lives.

It’s what Billy Chatman is doing at Greco Middle School with his Natural Bourne Leaders Academy.

In this leadership academy, kids learn about the stock market, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

Chatman, who is also a Hillsborough County Public School Resource Officer, said the violence involving young people who are the same age as the kids he mentors is unacceptable.

“The message about gun violence hits home here at Greco because we’ve had a few students in the last two to three years that have unfortunately passed due to gun violence,” he said.

“In the Black community, it’s the leading cause of teen deaths in this day and time. Gun violence is the leading cause of that. So, if we can help one to two individuals, we can save a life.”

The conversation is even more relevant now after 11-year-old Amir Williams was accidentally shot last week as his brother was reportedly playing with a gun. Or the murder suicide that claimed the life of 14-year-old Sayuri Jade Ruiz and 17-year-old Hector Phieffer.

According to reports, the teens were alone in a home with access to a gun.

Chatman said he’s hoping his message sticks with young people as they get ready to start summer break in a few weeks.