Bed-Stuy held its 14th annual Back-To-School Initiative on Sunday which also honored the legacy of the man who started it all.

Frankie Snyder, known as rapper "Hollywood Play," founded the event as a way to give back to children in his community. Families gathered in a Bed-Stuy park for an evening filled with music, dancing, food and school supply giveaways.

Snyder was fatally shot in Queens in 2017. Nearly a decade later, his mother says the event has taken on an even deeper meaning to remind young people that there are alternatives to violence.

“I’m just happy that he did this all for the kids, and every year they all come out to remember him,” Snyder’s mother, known as Mama Play, said. “He just wanted all the kids to know that you don’t have to pick up a gun.”

Organizers said the mission is more than handing out school supplies. It’s about creating a positive space for children and keeping them connected to their community.

Mama Play says real change starts from within and believes young people have the power to help change their neighborhoods by first changing themselves.