Safe, healthy & hopeful communities for young Black men and boys and their families.
Cities United supports a national network of mayors who are committed to reducing the epidemic of homicides and shootings among young Black men and boy ages 14 to 24 by 50%.
This is Cities United
The Cities United Team
Anthony
Althea
Quaniqua
Cassandra
Jackie
Andre
Christian
Jeremy
Monica
Tra'Shelle
Stakeholders
Network
The Cities United network consists of both internal and external groups who support and/or are impacted by the vision and mission of the organization. Cities United values the insights and leadership of ALL network members and works to incorporate their voices throughout the strategies, programs, projects, resources and events identified throughout the strategic plan. We value all key stakeholders while centering the voices and experiences of young Black men and boys.
Mayors & Elected Officials
Mayors and elected officials include city leaders in our 130 partner cities who have committed to creating safe, healthy and hopeful communities for Black men and boys and their families.
City Leads
An individual designated by the mayor to work on initiatives involving the city's young Black men and boys and/or violence prevention efforts. They serve as the primary point of contact between Cities United and the city team. A City Lead works within local government and has a close or direct line of communication to the mayor and/or city manager.
Young Leaders
An individual between the ages of 18 and 24 years of age who has been directly impacted by violence in their community and is actively seeking to change the narrative of young Black men and boys. Individuals are currently working or interested in working to enhance and elevate youth and young adult voice throughout the policies, practices and programs within their city.
Community Partners
Individuals/Organizations working to impact young people and families affected by violence. Community partners implement direct service programs, advocate for policy change and/or build political and public will. Community partners represent group such as: Non-Profit Agencies, Faith Leaders, Local Philanthropic Partners, Activists, Grass Roots Organizations, Education and more.
National Partners
Cities United partners with organizations around the country in joining our efforts to address gun violence and elevate the narrative around Black men and boys.
Supporters
Cities United is a non profit organization fiscally sponsored by Tides. We are grateful for the generous support of the following sponsors:
Our Work
Roadmap Academy
The Roadmap Academy is a week long immersion for teams from several partner cities to engage in a peer-to-peer learning environment centered around the Cities United Roadmap to Safe, Healthy and Hopeful Communities.
Youth Leadership Fellowship
This fellowship is an intensive eight-month experience designed for 18—24 year-old young leaders in our partner cities. Throughout the Fellowship Young leaders engage with local leaders, mentors and national experts to deepen their knowledge, skills and network.
Annual Convening
A yearly gathering of over 350 Cities United stakeholders including mayors, city leaders, youth, representatives from public safety, faith-based organizations, philanthropy and community-based organizations.
Place-Based Initiatives
RPOP
Russell: A Place of Promise is a justice-based initiative focused on generating investments in the people and places that make Louisville, Kentucky’s historically Black Russell neighborhood special.
CEF
The Cities United Civic Engagement Fellowship (CEF) is an initiative designed to address the lack of proportional representation of young Black men in high-wage leadership positions within local government.
Resources
- A Strategic Resource for Mayors on Police Involved Shootings & In-Custody Deaths (2017)
- Four Proven Ways: Violence Reduction Strategies (2016)
- 9 Solutions for Safe, Healthy and Hopeful Communities
- Interventions for Reducing Violence and its Consequences for Young Black Men and Boys (2017)
- A Strategic Resource for Mayors on Disrupting Community Violence and Preventing Homicides (2018)
- Roadmap to Safe, Healthy and Hopeful Communities (2017)
- Violence Trends, Patterns and Consequences for Black Men in America: A Call to Action (2016)
- COVID-19 Resources