“Lessons Can Come From Anywhere, Even Hollywood Headlines.”

~DeKalb County Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling

What became a global moment of controversy in 2022 has turned into a powerful teaching opportunity for DeKalb County Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling. For the past few years, she has used the widely discussed Will Smith/Chris Rock Oscars slap to equip young people with practical conflict-resolution skills, lessons designed to help them think before reacting and make choices that can positively shape their futures.

Just weeks before the Christmas break, Solicitor-General Coleman-Stribling gave DeKalb County high school teens a meaningful gift: the tools and guidance to navigate conflict wisely. During the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County’s “Mentor for Life” event, she used the viral video moment as a real-world example to spark conversation about accountability, thinking before acting, and resolving disagreements.

“Moments like this remind us that how we respond matters just as much as what happens to us,” said Coleman-Stribling. “One reaction can change the course of your life, and it’s important to pause, think, and choose the best option to proceed.”

She emphasized the need for all conflicts to be handled carefully, especially high-profile disagreements, highlighting the power of staying calm and resolving clashes without escalation. The teens were engaged throughout the discussion, asking questions, and showing genuine interest in how everyday decisions can shape their futures.

“I really enjoy spending time with young people,” the Solicitor-General said. “You never know how sharing your story, your path, or a few words of encouragement can influence someone to reach higher or make a positive change.”

Having sponsored many youth-focused activities in DeKalb County, such as the Youth Safe Driving Summitt and Teen Dating Violence Awareness event, Solicitor-General Coleman-Stribling remains committed to mentorship and outreach as a key part of community engagement. She says she’s proud of the work of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County.

100 Black Men of DeKalb County President and Chairman of the Board Troy Vincent said, “We focus on events like these because too many young people are making life-changing decisions without life-saving guidance. Mentor for Life puts mentors, truth, and real-world tools in front of them before a mistake could cost them their future.”

100 Black Men of DeKalb County provides local mentorship, but the organization has a global reach with over 100 chapters in the U.S., England, Africa, and the Caribbean.

As the mother of two teenage sons, Coleman-Stribling is also a mentor to her own children and can relate to Generation Z (Gen Z).

“I’m a parent first,” she shared. “I’m stern when I need to be, but always fair and honest about the kinds of obstacles young people face in various communities.”

She also spoke candidly about the emotional weight of her role when it involves youth.

“It’s troubling when I learn of a young person committing crimes and becoming part of the criminal justice system,” she said. “Once you go down that path, it can be very difficult to turn your life around.”

Troy Vincent added that the organization is fortunate to have a leader like Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling as a partner and said the time she takes to pour into the community’s young people is invaluable. “It brings credibility and consequences into the room. When youth hear directly from the justice system, the message shifts from theory to reality and that makes it stick,” he said. Together, 100 Black Men of DeKalb County and DeKalb County Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling provide guidance, structure, and opportunity to create a lasting impact, one conversation and one young person at a time.