Ples Felix's Biography (December 2002)
Ples Felix is the Vice President and Executive Board Member of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF). Mr. Felix joined Azim Khamisa in 1996 in the formation of the Foundation and its effort to break the escalating cycle of youth violence after Mr. Felix’s 14-year-old grandson, Tony Hicks, shot and killed Mr. Khamisa’s only son, Tariq in January 1995.
Both men, deeply connected to their own spiritual paths, were guided to choose the path of “Forgiveness” rather than continuing the cycle of violence through retribution and revenge. They turned the tragedy into a positive force for change by creating a powerful school-based prevention program that teaches youth about the devastation of violence and the life-long consequences of their choices. Through TKF’s Violence Impact Forum (VIF) program, youth are empowered with the understanding of the importance of making the “Right Choice” when facing peer pressure and violence within their schools and communities. Mr. Felix is dedicated to our nation’s youth, working with TKF to inspire non-violent choices and “plant seeds of hope” for their future.
Mr. Felix has been the recipient of numerous local and national awards for his tireless dedication and work in ending youth violence. 
These awards include the San Diego Mediation Center’s “Peacemaker Award” in 1996; the 1997 National Award from Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund; the U.S. Department of Justice, National Crime Victims’ “Special Community Service Award” (presented by Attorney General Janet Reno and Vice-President Al Gore) in April 1997; the Hero of Forgiveness and Reconciliation Award in 1999; the California Youth Authority’s Victim Service Award in 2000; the Teen Spirit Award in 2001; and the Coalition for Mutual Respect: Anti-Defamation League’s ‘Day of Harmony’, Houston, TX on September 11, 2001.
Mr. Felix was born and raised in South Los Angeles where he attended public school, graduating from high school in 1967. He served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1970.
Mr. Felix attended San Diego State University where he graduated in 1975 with a B.A Degree, majoring in Political Science. He then attended the New School for Social Research in the City of New York, graduating in 1977 with a M.A. in Urban Affairs and Policy Analysis.
From 1977 through 1981, Mr. Felix worked as a Community Development/Redevelopment professional in Brooklyn, Harlem – City of New York. From 1982 through 1987, he managed an Alcoholism Reception Center (LARC) in Phoenix, Arizona. From 1988 to the present time, Mr. Felix has worked as a Project Manager for the City of San Diego in the Community & Economic Development Department. Currently, he is the Manager of the Metro Enterprise Zone and Renewal Community Program.
Memories of My Life with Tony
as told by his Grandpa Ples Felix
Tony Edward Hicks was born in Silver Springs, Maryland on September 22,
1980 to Loeta Kizzee, my 15-year-old daughter. Tony came into the world
searching and seeking to know everything, by sight and by sound. As a baby,
he immediately took to me and was comforted whenever I held him in my arms
and soothed him with my voice.
In the years to come, my daughter’s circumstances made it necessary that
she and Tony live with my Mother, and with me periodically. When Tony was
9 years old, we (my daughter, Tony and I) decided that Tony should leave
Los Angeles and come to live with me in San Diego. The summer before, Tony’s
favorite cousin was killed in a hail of automatic weapon fire. Tony witnessed
his cousin’s remains being removed by the Coroner’s staff and it forever
scarred him.
Tony’s transition to living with me in San Diego was not an easy one. When
he started 4th grade, Tony could not read, write or function at a fourth
grade level. But with my help and the assistance of his teachers and counselors
at Birney Elementary School, Tony was determined to succeed in school. Tony
repeated the first half of 5th grade, and successfully completed it in time
to rejoin his class in 6th grade, graduating on time to 
middle school.
I fondly remember Tony as a kind-hearted, polite and well-spoken kid. But Tony also struggled with on-going anger issues. The main sources of his anger were not being with his Mother and not having a relationship with his Dad. I engaged a therapist to assist Tony with his anger management. After a year in therapy, Tony seemed to be coping better.
However, by his 14th birthday, I noticed that Tony was requesting to spend
more time out, after sundown, with his friends. He enjoyed playing basketball
at the local park in North Park (a community in San Diego where we lived).
I 
insisted that unless he was engaged in adult supervised activities, I
didn’t think that hanging out at night with his friends was a good idea.
Tony was angry with me because (like all concerned parents) I required him
to focus on his schoolwork, perform chores around the house (such as keeping
his room clean), and keep a neat personal appearance.
On Friday, January 20, 1995, I received a report from Tony’s school that he hadn’t done any of his assignments that week. That evening, I spoke with Tony about the importance of protecting his future by focusing on his education and not getting high. I could tell he was angry and not listening to me. In that conversation, I pointed out that he would soon be tested and someone (like one of his friends) would hand him a loaded handgun and tell him to shoot someone. He replied, “Daddy, I would never do that.” I said, “Tony, that is what you tell me, but will you be strong enough to say no to your homies?”
The next morning, I got Tony up early and gave him a list of chores to
do that day. I told him when he completed them, he could go to the park
to play ball. I could tell he was still angry. I left to run errands, and
did not return that Saturday until after 5:00pm. The house was dark. I went
to my room and saw a note on my dresser that read, “Daddy, I have run away.
Love, Tony.” My heart sank. 
Later that evening, prompted by an 18-year-old gang leader, and Tony’s two 14-year-old friends, Tony gave in to deadly peer pressure. Tragically, he shot and killed Tariq Khamisa, a San Diego State University student working his way through school delivering pizzas. That night, Tony’s life as he knew it abruptly came to an end. And I too have lost Tony, the only “son” I’ll ever know, to the prison system.
Quotes
"Your dreams of great accomplishments are your view
of the future. Your dreams can come true as long as you keep your goals
in mind and are determined to succeed. May your future be non violent, happy
and successful." – Ples Felix