At first glance, they seem unlikely gang-bangers. Some of the boys wear
lipstick and mascara, some stilettos. They carry Louis Vuitton bags, but
they also carry knives, brass knuckles and mace. As vulnerable gay and
transgender youth, they’ve been shot, stabbed, and raped.
Once victims, they’ve now turned the tables, beating people into comas
and stabbing enemies with ice picks. Started in 2009 by a group of
bullied 9th graders, today these 14-22 year old gang members all have
rap sheets riddled with assault, armed robbery and drug dealing charges.
Led by an ex-convict named Mo, Check It members are now creating their
own clothing label, putting on fashion shows and working stints as
runway models. But breaking the cycle of poverty and violence they’ve
grown up in is a daunting task.
Life for the Check It can be brutal, but it’s also full of hope and an indomitable resilience. At its heart,
CHECK IT explores the undying friendship that exists between these kids – an
unbreakable bond that is tested every day as they fight to stand up for
who they are in a community relentlessly trying to beat them down.
