Urban Peace Launches as Separate Project
August 1, 2015
Stakeholders of Advancement Project’s California Office:
The Advancement Project Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the Urban Peace program, as of August 1, 2015, is now a separate entity that is currently being incubated by Community Partners but on its way to becoming its own stand-alone nonprofit organization called Urban Peace Institute. The Board of Directors believes that Urban Peace Institute can stand independently today and deliver the impactful, quality work it has been known for.
“Advancement Project was born when civil rights lawyers with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund decided to spin off and begin a new organization that tackled civil rights issues with an expanded set of tools,” explained John Kim, Executive Director of the California Office. He continued, “From the beginning Advancement Project has served as a laboratory for civil rights, developing new theories of social change and then building the models and strategies to test those theories. The development of the Urban Peace program is among our most successful models, achieving a significant level of impact in the fields of relationship-based policing, violence intervention, and policy and systems change.”
Following the events in Ferguson and many more across the country, there is a growing call for action to transform the way police interact with communities of color and to strengthen the movement to achieve safety and peace for all. Urban Peace Institute – with its expertise and impact in the fields of relationship-based policing, violence intervention, and policy advocacy – is a necessary part of the national conversation. Building on achievements since forming in 2006, Urban Peace Institute will continue to build authentic partnerships with champions of violence reduction and work together to catalyze an urban peace movement that develops and implements innovative systems, policy, and practice solutions to address the problem of violence.
“Connie Rice’s vision birthed the Urban Peace program, defined its public health approach to violence prevention, and innovated the Urban Peace Academy and Community Safety Partnership,” said Fernando Rejón, Director of Urban Peace Institute. He continued, “Connie will continue to support the launch of the Institute.” Together with community, public sector, and philanthropic partners across the country, the team of committed Urban Peace staff will continue their outstanding work to advance community safety.
Connie Rice will remain a Founding Co-Director of Advancement Project. Her vision is, and will always be, an essential part of the organization’s DNA. She will continue to bring to both Advancement Project and Urban Peace Institute a deep and valuable reservoir of civil rights expertise drawn from her life-long commitment to social justice advocacy.
We invite you to learn more about Urban Peace Institute at UrbanPeaceInstitute.org and to follow their work on social media – Facebook at /Urban-Peace-Institute and Twitter @UrbanPeaceInst.
Sincerely,
John Kim Fernando Rejón
Executive Director Director
Advancement Project’s California Office Urban Peace Institute