About Us

Bruce Griggs: A Legacy of Impact and Transformation

Retired Detention Officer Bruce Griggs, former CBS Talk Radio Host, and Concert Promoter, founded Operation Correct Start, Incorporated in 1995 while recovering from a career-ending injury in law enforcement. Inspired by the Million Man March and deeply moved by its call to action, Bruce made a life-changing commitment that day—to improve the lives of young people living in Atlanta’s shelters.

Bruce began his mission by collecting school supplies, an effort that quickly gained the support and recognition of Mayor Bill Campbell and the City of Atlanta. This initial outreach laid the foundation for Operation Correct Start (OCS), an organization dedicated to equipping youth with the tools they need to succeed in school and life. Bruce focused his efforts on helping the children society had written off—the ones facing the toughest challenges. He often reflects, saying,

“It could have been me…” (in reference to being adopted at 6 months old).

Through OCS, these children experienced positive interactions, both with Bruce and with each other, along with transformative experiences outside their communities. Trips to the White House, Panama City Beach, the Black Wax Museum, hiking, white water rafting, and swimming were just a few of the opportunities that helped many of OCS’s first participants completely change their lives.

Driven by his “Don’t Quit” attitude, Bruce expanded OCS from providing school supplies to homeless youth to becoming an agency that has served over 3,500 young people. OCS now offers vital assistance in areas such as abuse, school dropouts, suicide prevention, teen pregnancy, economic hardships, and violence prevention.

By 1997, Bruce’s efforts began receiving both local and national recognition. Bruce and OCS were honored by organizations such as Office Depot in 1997, McDonald’s National Community Service Award in 1993, Goody’s Headache Powder Award of Excellence in 1999, Atlanta Falcons Community Quarterback in 2001, United Way of Metro Atlanta in 2002, Frank Ski Kids Foundation in 2002, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In 2005, Bruce Griggs was recruited to host Community Talk on CBS Radio due to his deep commitment to the community. However, his vision for a better life for young men continues as OCS builds an even stronger foundation for our youth. Street Academy: A Lifeline for At-Risk Youth Recognizing the critical need to keep youth in schools and out of jails, Bruce Griggs, alongside radio personality Greg Street, developed The Street Academy in 2000.

Understanding that many at-risk youth—those incarcerated, on probation, or in school suspension—are interested in music, sports, or entertainment, they used these passions as a “hook” to engage them in learning basic skills and exploring alternative careers in these industries. With the full support of Junior Achievement and Allstate Insurance, the goal has been to secure the volunteer participation of national celebrities, thereby increasing the interest of at-risk youth in becoming a “Street Soldier.”

So, what is a Street Soldier? It’s someone committed to eliminating violence from their life and community, reducing risk factors, managing anger, fear, and pain, and adopting new rules for living. This program also incorporates the Omega Violence Prevention Disease Model, which treats violence as a disease with stages such as HIV (Hood Infectious Virus) and AIDS (Addiction to Incarceration and Death Syndrome). It identifies risk factors like negative views of women, guns, drugs, and alcohol, teaches students to recognize these risks, eliminate the emotional residue (anger, fear, pain), and adopt new rules for living.

Our Mission

The mission of Operation Correct Start, Inc.

is to increase awareness among at-risk, disadvantaged, and homeless youth, focusing on fostering positive attitudes, valuing education, and developing high moral values. By doing so, we aim to empower them to achieve life’s goals and succeed in their endeavors.