Vision

Safe, healthy & hopeful communities for young Black men and boys and their families.

Vision
Mission

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%.

Mission



This is Cities United

The Cities United Team

The Cities United Team

Anthony

Anthony

Althea

Althea

Quaniqua

Quaniqua

Cassandra

Cassandra

Jackie

Jackie

Andre

Andre

Christian

Christian

Jeremy

Jeremy

Monica

Monica

Tra'Shelle

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:

  • Amnesty International
  • Casey Family Programs
  • CBMA
  • Community Foundation of Louisville
  • Forward Promise
  • Jacob & Valeria Langeloth Foundation
  • James Graham Brown Foundation
  • Levi Strauss
  • MBK Alliance
  • Public Welfare Foundation
  • Roy A. Hunt Foundation Logo
  • The Skillman Foundation
  • TOMS
  • Walmart Foundation
  • The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust





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

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

Cities United Civic Engagement Fellowship

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.