History of The Alliance Of Concerned Men

In 1991, Tyrone Parker established the Alliance of Concerned Men (ACM) with his former high school friends. Since then, they have been putting their experiences, training and street smarts to use, counseling children, teenagers, and adults in Washington, D.C. and in area juvenile and adult correctional institutions. The founders include Tyrone Parker, James Alsobrooks, Rahim Jenkins, Eric Johnson, Joe Nelson, Peter L. Jackson, Gerard Alston and Arthur “Rico” Rush.

The relationship among the core members at the Alliance developed more than forty years ago, when they were teenagers attending Eastern Senior High School in Washington, D.C. At the forefront are Tyrone Parker, the Alliance’s Executive Director. They share a bond forged through adverse life experiences coupled with personal exposure to dangerous situations and personal transformations that turned their lives around. Their experiences with increasing social problems in the District of Columbia, fortified their commitment to make a positive difference in the lives of the District’s at-risk youth and their families.

In 1989, Tyrone Parker’s son, Rodney, affectionately known as “Fat Rodney”, was shot outside of a skating rink in Maryland. His son’s murder in addition to the increasing change in the community inspired Tyrone to do something to counteract these occurrences. The constant siege of drugs, violence, teenage pregnancy, illiteracy and murder in D.C. communities outraged the founders as a whole. The Alliance’s founding members refused to passively watch as the youth murder rate grew, teens dropped out of society and “hardcore” survival on the streets became the norm. They responded by dedicating themselves to launching a moral movement with the mission of saving the lives of today’s young men and women, who, in epidemic numbers, are dying from social, political, economic and communal diseases. This movement seeks to build positive relationships between fathers and their children and families in at-risk communities.

In 1997, the Alliance garnered national media attention after they successfully mediated a ‘gang truce’ in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. ACM initiated the mediation after the abduction and murder of 12-year old Darryl Dayan Hall. This incident marked the seventh homicide in two years at the Benning Terrace public housing development, commonly known as “Simple City” in Southeast D.C. The truce has lasted for over 12 years. ACM’s work throughout the communities of Washington, D.C. has continued through the dedication of its employees and many partnerships.

ACM Founders include Tyrone Parker, James Alsobrooks, Peter L. Jackson, Eric Johnson, Gerard Alston and Arthur “Rico” Rush.

ACM was founded after the murder of Tyrone Parker’s son, Rodney in 1989.

ACM Founders include Tyrone Parker, James Alsobrooks, Peter L. Jackson, Eric Johnson, Gerard Alston and Arthur “Rico” Rush.

In 1991, Tyrone Parker established the Alliance of Concerned Men (ACM) with his former high school friends. Since then, they have been putting their experiences, training and street smarts to use, counseling children, teenagers, and adults in Washington, D.C. and in area juvenile and adult correctional institutions. The founders include Tyrone Parker, James Alsobrooks, Rahim Jenkins, Eric Johnson, Joe Nelson, Peter L. Jackson, Gerard Alston and Arthur “Rico” Rush.

The relationship among the core members at the Alliance developed more than forty years ago, when they were teenagers attending Eastern Senior High School in Washington, D.C. At the forefront are Tyrone Parker, the Alliance’s Executive Director. They share a bond forged through adverse life experiences coupled with personal exposure to dangerous situations and personal transformations that turned their lives around. Their experiences with increasing social problems in the District of Columbia, fortified their commitment to make a positive difference in the lives of the District’s at-risk youth and their families.

In 1989, Tyrone Parker’s son, Rodney, affectionately known as “Fat Rodney”, was shot outside of a skating rink in Maryland. His son’s murder in addition to the increasing change in the community inspired Tyrone to do something to counteract these occurrences. The constant siege of drugs, violence, teenage pregnancy, illiteracy and murder in D.C. communities outraged the founders as a whole. The Alliance’s founding members refused to passively watch as the youth murder rate grew, teens dropped out of society and “hardcore” survival on the streets became the norm. They responded by dedicating themselves to launching a moral movement with the mission of saving the lives of today’s young men and women, who, in epidemic numbers, are dying from social, political, economic and communal diseases. This movement seeks to build positive relationships between fathers and their children and families in at-risk communities.

ACM was founded after the murder of Tyrone Parker’s son, Rodney in 1989.

In 1997, the Alliance garnered national media attention after they successfully mediated a ‘gang truce’ in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. ACM initiated the mediation after the abduction and murder of 12-year old Darryl Dayan Hall. This incident marked the seventh homicide in two years at the Benning Terrace public housing development, commonly known as “Simple City,” in Southeast D.C.The truce has lasted over 12 years. ACM’s work throughout the communities of Washington, D.C. has continued through the dedication of its employees and many partnerships.

tyrone c. parker

Executive Director

Tyrone C. Parker is a founding member and present Executive Director of the Alliance of Concerned Men (“The Alliance”), a nationally renowned Washington, DC based nonprofit organization whose mission is to combat juvenile crime by providing life and social aptness skills to the youth of Washington, DC.

ACM BOARD MEMBERS

Anita Shelton • Dr. Hrach Gregorian • Dr. Joseph Richardson • Lloyd Mallory

Anita Shelton
Dr. Hrach Gregorian
Dr. Joseph Richardson
Lloyd Mallory

ACM REMEMBERS

arthur "rico" rush, jr.

Arthur Rush, Jr., affectionately known as Rico, was a founding member, President and Program Director for the Alliance of Concerned Men (ACM) and co-founder of the “Meet the Challenge.”

Rico graduated from Eastern High School in 1966. and he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from American University in 1983.

As a life-long resident of Washington, D.C., Rico developed a passion for uplifting members of our communities by providing the tools needed to fulfill their education, occupational and life goals.
His many certifications and grass roots outreach provided the framework for Rico to make a profound impact in the areas of Addiction, Hypnotherapy, Human Development, Youth and Family, HIV/AIDS and STD’s, Loss, Grief and Healing and Gang Intervention.

As Program Director for the ACM, he oversaw programs partnering with the DC Housing Authority. In addition, he coordinated the Abridging Prison Program along with outreach and prevention of violence and drugs in our communities.
Rico’s love for the youth made him an asset to ACM as Director of the Save a Child Program. Under his direction, ACM partnered with the DC Child and Family Services Agency to oversee their youth abscondence program. He also supervised a wide range of programs ranging from mentoring, tutoring, violence prevention, meditation and training for at-risk youth.

As a trainer, Rico trained participants in the areas of organizational, management and staff development. His recent workshops took place in Johannesburg, Soweto, South Africa, Trinidad, Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua and Nicaragua.

Rico sadly passed away on March 23, 2020. His legacy of community outreach, service and intervention will remain a valued asset by anyone touched by his efforts. The Alliance of Concerned Men is forever changed by his presence and he will always be considered part of the family.

30 yrs.

1991 – 2021

of helping heal the community

Make Your Donation Today!

Your donation is tax deductible. we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.