Chicago Teen, Tired Of 'Chiraq' Image, Has Positive Alternative: 'The Go'

(CBS) – A 17-year-old Chicago girl says she's witnessed violence, but she doesn't want the city to be defined by it.

CBS 2's Audrina Bigos reports on her effort to make people think about her city in a more positive light.

On Chicago's Far South Side, at The Shop 147, there are high-priced designer clothes. And then there's this: a local shirt, made by a local girl.

"It's just a pro-Chicago movement," Raven Smith explains.

She's soft-spoken, but her message is being heard loud and clear, and the shirt says it all: "STRAIGHT FROM THE GO."

"Straight from Chicago, in other words," Smith says.

The Morgan Park student launched the line this year, hoping to change the violent reputation of her neighborhood and her city and the less-favorable nicknames, such as "Chiraq."

"Chicago's got so many negative aliases, as far as 'Chiraq' or 'Chitown.' No matter what form it's pushed, we need positivity whether it's a t-shirt brand, a hat brand, it could be a shoe," said Lawrence Gilmore, manager at The Shop 147.

More than 700 shirts have been sold so far.

"Good things can come from Chicago," said Smith.

Gilmore agrees. "You got Michael Jordan. You got Italian beefs. You got one of the tallest buildings in the world. It's a lot of positive in the city," he said.

Most of the money from the shirt sales is going to families who have been victims of violence as well as anti-violence programs. For more information, click here.