Craig Pinkney is a Criminologist, Urban Youth Specialist, and Chief Executive of SOLVE: The Centre for Youth Violence and Conflict.
In this powerful and deeply insightful episode, renowned criminologist and youth violence expert Craig Pinkney unpacks the connection between fatherhood, gang culture, and the rise of youth violence in today’s society. He explores why young men without strong male role models are often left vulnerable to gangs, how broken family structures impact community safety, and why real mentorship is essential for male development. Craig explains how gangs often provide the protection, accountability, and identity that families and institutions fail to offer, making them dangerously appealing to underserved youth.
We also dive into the role of trauma, poverty, and social conditions in shaping criminal behavior, and why the media and criminal justice system often mislabel traumatized youth as inherently violent. Craig discusses the dangers of ignoring the social, spiritual, and psychological factors behind crime, and the damaging effects of clout culture and social media on the minds of young people. With years of experience in street-level intervention, criminology, and community healing, Craig shares how he stays grounded while working with trauma daily and what needs to change in how we support, mentor, and understand our youth.
