Ron "Cook" Barrett
Cook, as he is known, has been a catalyst in youth development for over 30 years. He is a certified Gang Specialist involved in a number of prevention, intervention and suppression efforts. He is a dynamic speaker who provides numerous seminars locally, nationally and internationally, educating communities and law enforcement agencies on identifying and preventing gangs and their effects on the community.
He has presented for numerous Gang Investigator Association’s including New York, New Jersey, Northwest, Ontario, Colorado STING, Northern California, Midwest, Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Virginia, Utah, International Latino and others. He has trained over 25,000 law enforcement officers and has also presented to over 50,000 youth. He has coordinated a Gang Prevention Teen Night with the YMCA that has been operating for over 23 years and the program has been the blueprint for other youth agencies to run similar programming. He is a certified Workforce Development Specialist focusing on assisting inmate re-entry and a certified Thinking for a Change Specialist (T4C) and Decision Point’s specialist-training clients with transitional services.
He was presented with the 2001 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award, given by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Governor’s Dr. King Leadership Award for 2004, the 2008 New Jersey Gang Investigator’s Association award for his Outstanding Prevention and Intervention efforts, the 2009 New York State Department of Health Community Service and Leadership Award, the 2010 Lasallian Service Award for his outstanding contribution through community service, the 2015 Frank Chapman Memorial Institute’s, Capital Districts Men of Valor Award, the 2013 and 2019 Y Black and Latino Adult Achiever’s Award, the 2023 Albany Law Enforcement Resolution Team (ALERT) Community Bridge Builders Award and the 2024 Meritorious Service Award given by the New York State Department of Corrections.
“Cook is one of the BEST presenter’s I have ever seen on the topic of gangs. Energetic, passionate, and very knowledgeable. A motivator who CARES about our youth and their future.”
“Special shout out to my big bro “Cook”, he believed in me and helped me walk through a very dark tunnel when I didn’t know if I’d ever make it to the other side!! Love you bro.”
“Your presentation was exciting, dynamic and informative. Truly, all of us learned a great deal about the issues, and how powerful advocates as yourself can make a difference in the field.
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“I want to thank you again for today’s training, it’s not often I see someone as passionate, knowledgeable, and as convicted as you. You BELIEVE in what you do and I felt it. Thank you!”
“One of the BEST presentations I have experienced in a long time. Cook Barrett is an UNREAL presenter with unmatched passion. VERY POWERFUL. Everyone should see him.”