Arthur “Silky Slim” Reed

Arthur “Silky Slim” Reed, grew up in the depressed neighborhood between Beauregard Town and the North gates of LSU, known for generations as The SouthSide. By the age of twelve, Arthur “Silky Slim” Reed’s life had already taken a downward turn as he begins the life of doing crime, dealing drugs and violent acts. By the age of fourteen, he was sentenced to the Louisiana Training Institute for Boys, now known as Jetson Correctional Facility for two counts of attempted second degree murder. Taught early in life to be a soldier and once he was released, “Silky Slim” co-founded the 4 Down and Southside Wrecking Crews, which are credited with launching the gang violence that still stains the depressed streets of Baton Rouge today. Like any soldier, he had found his war.

Representing the South with sheer violence, “Silky Slim” spent the next 12 years bouncing between gang life and prison. Like any parent concerned for their child’s safety, his Mother sent him to California to stay with his younger brother, who was serving in the military. Convinced that the street life was the only way out of the ghetto, “Silky Slim” joined the Rolling 30’s Cripps gang and spent the next twenty-two years in and out of prisons from California to Louisiana.

By this time, he had tried every drug using Heroin, ice, meth, x-pills and syrup; you name it and “Silky Slim” had done it. He tried committing suicide at least three times. Once by putting a loaded nine miller-meter to his head, only to have his five year old walk in and ask, “daddy what are you doing?”. The next time he jumped from the 3rd story window hotel on the Sunset Strip. With his shoe caught in the window seal, he was left hanging calling for help. It wasn’t until 2003 that his life began to turn around. While driving a Tahoe, “Silky Slim” and friends where driving from California to Louisiana when his SUV struck another vehicle and flipped several times. The crash killed everyone except the only person wearing a seat belt, “Silky Slim”. “Silky Slim” had to push one of his dead friends off his chest in order to escape the wreck. When he got out of the wreckage, as soon as his feet hit the ground, he heard God speak, “I just brought you out of that, now what are going to do for me.”

Few in Baton Rouge have made as much of a second chance in life as Arthur “Silky Slim” Reed. Inspired to make a difference, he co-founded Stop The Killing, Inc., a Baton Rouge based, 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization established to stop the violence and senseless killing in our communities. He is a youth counselor and consultant to youth court working closely with troubled teens and young offenders, teaching them how to solve their problems without resorting to violence. He is the publisher of STOPTHEKILLING newsletter and co-author of, STOP THE KILLING: Effective Communication Techniques To Avoid Violence and Senseless Killing (Stop The Killing 2007). Each year, Arthur “Silky Slim” Reed coordinates the Stop The Killing Rally, a local event that calls for community residents to stop the violence. “Silky Slim’s” message keeps spreading throughout depressed neighborhoods through THE LIFE or DEATH vehicle. A converted ambulance, THE LIFE or DEATH mobile teaches the youth to value life. It’s equipped with the latest monitors and games that teach anti-violence techniques and methods. In addition, he leads several anti-violence programs in area public schools.

He has his own radio talk show, the Stop The Killing Hour of Power on Max 94.1 FM, where he and guest discuss solutions for violence and crime in the city every Sunday at 4 p.m. He also co-host his own television talk show called: Stop The Killing, Real Talk with “Silky Slim” & Latangela Sherman, on Baton Rouge cable channel 10. He recently launched a filming company, WE SHOOT FIRST, a start-up geared to expose violence and senseless killings in communities throughout America. It’s first documentary was released in 2010 (TO LIVE AND DIE IN AMERICA). The former gang leader, Arthur “Silky Slim” Reed’s life story continues to inspire youth to change their ways.