YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT is a series of frank interviews with passionate men and women who are leaders, activists and influencers. Some have been my teachers, champions and support system on this emotional journey and some I have admired from afar for their bravery, audacity and indomitable commitment to their work. Although the challenges we face in our work are as complex as the causes and the solutions to the gun violence epidemic, all have shown me in different ways that there is more that can be done to end this senseless loss of human life.
I am proud to share their insights into how each of us can be a part of the solution to Raise The Caliber of our communities. -Jessica Mindich
Name: Tom Scott
Occupation/Title: CEO The Nantucket Project , CEO Co-Founder Nantucket Nectars
Age: 51
Race/Nationality: White, American
Where do you live? Greenwich, CT
What quote do you live by? “Life is a series of comebacks”
What are you most proud of about your work/life? Farther/Working in recovery
What is the biggest challenge you face in your work? We live in a crazy undefined world. Noise dominates. Navigation asks you to stay close to your heart.
Why do you think we have such a problem with gun violence in America? Old, social scars combined with a fiercely competitive, consumer society.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about why we have such a problem with gun violence in America? That's it is somehow simple.
Do you think there a law that the government could enact that would make a difference in reducing gun violence and building safe communities? Possibly yes. Practically, I doubt it.
What are three things the average American citizen can do to “Raise The Caliber” of their community?
- Focus outwardly.
- Get to know people who aren't like you.
- Support the work of the Caliber Collection
Is there a book or article on this topic that has educated and inspired you? The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander.
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About the Editor: Jessica Mindich began the Caliber Collection® in January 2012 as a collaboration with the Mayor of Newark, NJ, Cory Booker, as a way to turn illegal and unwanted guns from our cities’ streets into jewelry. Their vision was to create a virtuous cycle by funding gun buyback and amnesty programs from the proceeds of the sales from the Caliber Collection. The jewelry is made with the serial numbers from illegal guns and the metal from shell casings. The Caliber Collection donates 20% of the net proceeds to fund voluntary gun buyback and amnesty programs in some of the toughest cities in America. To date, they have taken over 2,500 illegal guns off the streets and have raised over $165,000 for police departments in Newark, Hartford, the San Francisco Bay Area, Miami and Detroit from the sale of Caliber products to customers in over 87 countries.
From the success of the Caliber Collection, Jessica created The Caliber Foundation, which offers support to victims, families and communities devastated by illegal gun violence. The Caliber Foundation is the proud recipient of grants from MTV, Shepard Fairey/Obey Giant and the Serena Williams Foundation. Jessica is also the founder of the Raise The Caliber® initiative, a National advocacy campaign. Proceeds from partnerships under Raise The Caliber are donated to the Caliber Foundation.