Ryan Simon’s documentary The Black Jacket, now available on Netflix.

05 - 2017

The Black Jacket focuses on radical peace practitioner and former Black Panther Aquil Basheer who trains students, many of whom are ex-gang members, to anticipate and diffuse violent and dangerous situations. Basheer’s organization PCITI (Professional Community Intervention Training Institute) is based in South LA. Currently Basheer is working to bring the program to other cities in need. Statistics show that gang crime in LA is down substantially over the past five years, and the LAPD credits PCITI as strong partner in the process of violence reduction.

“Graduates from the program walk away with a broad set of universal skills to reduce violence and rebuild communities” Simon says. “But they also learn something unique and specific about themselves that turns them into agents for change in their own homes, workplaces, neighborhoods and cities.”

The film is available to stream on Netflix.

Follow us on The Black Jacket’s Facebook Page

Press:
LA Weekly

Aquil Basheer recently brought the Professional Intervention Training Institute to Newark through a partnership with Aqeela Sherrills Ras J. Baraka and Rutgers University to reduce street crime with continuing education and training. To bring positive change to Newark through the hard work of trained community interventionists.

Next

Vimeo Talks Favorite Staff Pick – The High Five