CINCINNATI (WXIX) – After his 11-year-old son was killed in a drive-by shooting, a Tri-State father has created a mentorship program he hopes will reduce violence by giving young kids a safe space to learn over the summer months.
11-year-old Domonic Davis was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in late 2023. After his death, his father started the “Forever 11” mentorship program in the hopes of reducing youth violence.
Friday was the first day of the Forever 11 mentorship program, started by Issac Davis, in honor of his son.
The Stage Barbershop in Avondale is full of pictures of Domonic. Young kids from the community had a chance to learn from a group of barbers who hope to teach them about more than cutting hair.
Isaac says his grief led him to create the Forever 11 mentorship program.
Kids can come to the Stage Barbershop on Fridays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to sit with the barbers while they work.
“I hope they walk away knowing someone cares about them,” Domonic’s father, Isaac Davis, told FOX19 NOW. “Knowing that they can always come here if they need a haircut. If they need a mentor.”
He hopes to give kids a safe space to stay busy and out of trouble while they are out of school.
“It means a lot to see these guys sitting in here,” Isaac says. “It reminds me of him, to see these guys sitting around here on a Friday.”
Nick Baynes, the owner of The Stage Barbershop, helped Isaac create the program.
He says he hopes to create a legacy of helping youth in the community.
“We all cut different people, we all have different backgrounds from dealing with diversity, childhood trauma, things like that, so we just wanted to be able to cater to the kids and teach them some things,” Baynes said.
Isaac and Baynes say they hope to grow the program to barbershops throughout Cincinnati.
“Our goal is to reach every kid that comes here, but if we just reach one or two, then we’re satisfied,” Isaac said.
If you want to get involved in the program or get more information for your child, you can text “mentor” to 513-800-0288 or contact Isaac Davis on Facebook:
