Gang violence occurs in urban, suburban and rural areas across America. It is one of the leading underpinnings of criminal activity leading to incarceration both in youth and adult penal institutions in America.

N'S.T.E.P., (Nine Steps to Empowerment Process) Gangology 101 is a non-traditional approach to gang violence prevention and intervention. The Process fosters trust, willing cooperation and enthusiasm in contemporary youth and adults, particularly those who are gang affiliated. It was created and founded in 2001 by Le'Taxione, one with extensive and real life experience in the gang culture and the mentality which both causes and is the result of violent gang behavior. Based on his own elevation and reformation, he authored the companion text, Original Diamond Boy: Psychology of a Gang Banger, utilizing his own experience and in depth knowledge of gang life to illuminate the mentality, with the ultimate goal of making a positive difference in the lives of individuals involved in gangs . Together, the new paradigm included in the Gangology 101(c) curriculum and the companion text, Original Diamond Boy: Psychology of a Gang Banger provide a revolutionary solution for those caught up in the destructive aspects of gang activity. It offers an effective approach to identifying why our youth become involved in destructive gang behavior and then equips them with the knowledge to make beneficial personal choices and to help shape a healthier society in their own home communities.

Le'Taxione has built this work upon the belief that it is not incumbent on a gang member that he or she denounce their street organizations, but it is incumbent that he/she denounce the negative activity that erodes the moral fabric of our communities. His work is meant to aid the gang member in their exodus into man or womanhood and to assist them in becoming the very vanguards of our communities that was envisioned at the inception of the street organizations.

N'STEP(R) Gangology 101 defines a new paradigm for considering the issues related to destructive gang behavior; it walks the student through 9 critical elements of life and society which affects and is affected by the violent gang mentality. Each step is geared generally toward enlightening the student on the 9 elements and focuses specifically on how they play themselves out within the gang experience. By considering these elements the student increases his/her understanding of themselves, others and society in general and broadens their thinking and their decision making abilities even within the structural gang culture(c).

N'STEP(R) does not condone violence, but it also does not require gang denunciation. Rather it recognizes that the unity and strength of what we call gangs can be a positive and productive entity within our communities. Therefore its focus is in helping the gang banger to think differently about themselves, society and the gang in order to make decisions which not only honor and benefit the gang itself, but also the community as a whole.

N'STEP(R) Gangology 101 and its new paradigm are derived from the recognized need to embrace the gang banger as part of the solution and the legitimacy of the gang culture. It provides an honorable basis by which to reform it "from the inside out"(R).