Georgia Perimeter College student Emmanuel Lyons is confronting the pain of his past through songwriting and rap.

Today—at 16—Lyons is a high-achieving participant in the college’s DeKalb Early Learning Academy. Not long ago, however, he recalls listening to his father verbally abuse his mother.

Last year, Lyons, who goes by the stage name Slate, released his first music project in which he addresses the issue of domestic violence through the lens of a child. In the song titled “Elmo,” he asks: “Are we going to turn our heads and just walk away?”

Lyons will perform this song and others on Saturday, March 14, as a featured artist at the annual Teen Dating Violence Summit sponsored by Partnership Against Domestic Violence. His success as a rap artist and domestic violence awareness advocate also has garnered the attention of local TV station WSB-TV, where he was featured in a recent People 2 People episode.

“I just want people to feel something,” says Lyons, a former child actor. “I want [my songs] to invoke some emotion, some feeling.”

Georgia has the highest rate of teen violence in the nation—one out of every three youths has been a victim—according to the Partnership Against Domestic Violence website.

Lyons and his mother, Amber Lyons, both have turned their attention to promoting domestic violence awareness. His mom, founder of the non-profit group, From Pain to Purpose, Inc., is pleased that her son is using his gifts and talents to help others.  

“I’m a happy mama,” she says. “It has been my heart’s joy to help nurture and guide his career.”

Kathryn Hall, coordinator of the DeKalb College Early Learning Academy, believes Lyons is a good role model for others in the program.

“Emmanuel made a smooth transition from high school to college coursework and made the Dean’s List his first semester at GPC,” Henry says. “I appreciate that through his music he is bringing attention to such important topics like teen dating violence to his peers.”

In addition to his achievements in the classroom and the studio, Lyons is president of DECA’s Young Men to Knights service organization. After graduating from the Academy, he plans to pursue his bachelor’s degree and continue making music.

“I never want my music to take a back burner because I have a passion for it.”

Fans and interested supporters can sample Lyons’ work at www.youtube.com/LyricalSLATE.​