Founder • Mentor • Educator • Storyteller
Transforming Experience Into Creativity, Mentorship & Opportunity
Founder & About Us
Art Not Arms was created to provide young men with constructive alternatives to violence through creativity, mentorship, and workforce development.
Founder Bertrand E. Boyd II is a Miami-based spoken word artist, educator, actor, and mentor with more than twenty years of experience in storytelling, performance, and youth mentorship. Through poetry, filmmaking, and creative expression, he has worked with youth across schools, mentorship programs, and community initiatives.
Art Not Arms combines creative expression, emotional development, mental health awareness, and apprenticeship opportunities to help participants build confidence, discipline, communication skills, and career pathways.
The program was developed to create a structured environment where young men can transform personal experiences into art, storytelling, spoken word performances, filmmaking projects, and positive life direction.
Mission & Vision
Why Art Not Arms Exists
Art Not Arms was created in response to the growing impact of violence, trauma, instability, and limited opportunities affecting young men throughout South Florida. The program provides mentorship, artistic expression, emotional development, and workforce readiness in a structured diversion environment.
Through spoken word poetry, storytelling, filmmaking, and mentorship, participants learn how to communicate their experiences, process emotions, develop leadership skills, and build confidence in their voices and abilities.
The long-term goal is to create sustainable pathways toward education, employment, creative careers, and positive community involvement while helping reduce youth violence through mentorship and opportunity.
01.
— Our Mission
To empower court-referred youth through mentorship, creative expression, filmmaking, spoken word, storytelling, and workforce development while providing constructive alternatives to violence.
02.
— Our Vision
To build a generation of young leaders, artists, storytellers, and creators who use creativity, communication, and mentorship to transform their lives and communities.
03.
— Our Philosophy
Art Not Arms is built on the belief that storytelling, artistic expression, mentorship, and emotional awareness can help young people better understand themselves, develop discipline, and discover new possibilities for their future.
Community Partnerships
Support Art Not Arms
Help provide mentorship, creative workshops, filmmaking equipment, apprenticeship opportunities, and workforce development for participating youth.
Community support helps Art Not Arms continue creating constructive alternatives to violence through creativity, mentorship, emotional development, and opportunity.