Join us as we continue to lead the way, building on the momentum of 2025 and creating safe, healthy, and hopeful communities for Black boys, young men, and their families.
RegisteR NOWGet your 13th Annual Convening - Early Bird Ticket today.
Louisville, KY • 2025
12th Annual Convening
Every year, we gather in a new partner jurisdiction to learn, to build, to honor the work. This year, we gathered in Louisville, KY—the home of Muhammad Ali—to celebrate progress backed by data, ecosystems built to last, and the people carrying this work forward with purpose and love.
This convening was a reflection of our shared commitment: to keep building, keep leading, and keep centering the voices of those most impacted by violence.
.png)
Voices in Motion
Watch powerful moments from the convening—from plenary sessions to
young leaders, to cultural activations to breakout discussions
2025 12th Annual Convening Recap: Louisville
A Path Forward- Louisville's Community-based Public Safety Ecosystem
You've Got To Be Of The People Panel
State Senator Keturah Herron
Brave Leader Award Presentation
From Boys to Men: Healing at the Intersection of Blackness and Manhood
Memorable Moment: Spoken Word by Hannah Drake
State of Cities United: Executive Director Anthony Smith reflects on 10 years of leading the movement, and shares the way forward.
Leading The Way: A Conversation About What's Working
Memorable Moment: Spoken Word by Ajamou Butler
Emerging Leaders: Shaping the Future of Public Safety
Rumble, CVI, Rumble: A #ProtectCVI panel
Closing Keynote with Karol Mason
Young Leader Sunset
Passing of the Baton
MOMENTS THAT MOVED US
Browse the photo gallery to see the leaders, partners, and
communities driving safer, healthier, more hopeful futures.
1.3k+
Attendees
35
States Represented
197
Cities Represented
150+
Young Leaders
What's Working:
Key Highlights
Lessons, models, and insights from the 12th Annual Convening—showcasing the progress we're making together.
150+ Young Leaders Engaged
Through the Young Leader Collective, we brought together the next generation of civic leaders from across the Leading the Way Tour jurisdictions.
Leading the Way Tour Progress
11 jurisdictions visited with $440K+ invested directly in local communities, 1,300+ participants engaged across the tour.
Comprehensive Safety Plans
Supporting cities like Greensboro, Lexington, and Toledo in building durable, community-centered public safety strategies.
Healing-Centered Engagement
Integrating trauma-informed practices into all aspects of public safety planning to strengthen trust and build community resilience.
Thank You to Our Funders
Looking Ahead
2026 Annual Convening
The Journey Continues
See the Movement
Every convening has its own rhythm, its own beauty, and its own stories.
Explore images capturing the people, energy, and purpose from Louisville.
.png)
"This year marks 10 years since I became Executive Director of Cities United. In that time, I've learned that the work is hard, but the people doing it are stronger, because they are grounded in love and hope."
Anthony Smith, Executive Director
This convening was held in Louisville, KY—Anthony's hometown and the home of Muhammad Ali. A place where greatness was born not just in the ring, but in the streets, in the struggle, and in the stand for justice, peace, and Black lives.
ONe City BAsketbalL
Cities United, in partnership with Cure Violence Global and Noah's Arc Foundation, was proud to host the first-ever One City National Championship to kick off our 12th Annual Convening.
2025 National Initiative
Leading the Way Tour
A national investment in the people, partnerships, and policies reshaping what public safety looks like in Black communities.
Why Leading the Way Matters
The Leading the Way Tour was created to amplify the progress cities are making through Community Violence Intervention and holistic public safety strategies. These ecosystems go beyond policing and punishment—they focus on prevention, accountability, and support for those most impacted by violence.
Learn More About the Tour11
Tour Stops Completed
1.3K+
Total Participants
$440K+
Invested in Community
150+
Young Leaders Engaged
2024-25 Impact
By the Numbers
The work we do at Cities United is rooted in one simple truth: when we show up, lives change.
Comprehensive
Safety Plans
Safety Plans
3 in 2025
8 Total Since 2024
- Greensboro, NC
- Lexington, KY (update)
- Toledo, OH (update)
- Baton Rouge, LA
- State of NC
Coaching & Capacity Building
20+ Jurisdictions
Ongoing Support
- Lexington, KY
- Toledo, OH
- Travis County, TX
- Milwaukee, WI
- Atlanta, GA
Crisis Response
Real-Time Support
3 Major Responses
- Milwaukee, WI
- Jackson, MS
- Toledo, OH
- Memphis, TN (Federal deployment support)
Virtual Engagement
8+ Events in 2024-25
National Reach
- CU Virtual Learning Events
- Collaborative Webinars
- Roll Calls
- Training Sessions
Thought Leadership
Multiple Conferences
45 LAL Interviews
- Brady Summit
- African American Mayors Association
- Beyond the Bullet
- NLC Retreat
Policy & Advocacy
Local & Federal
Active Campaigns
- #ProtectCVI National Day of Action
- Austin Council Support
- Milwaukee Common Council
- CJAF Advocacy Day
Being "In Place" on Purpose
Our presence is not symbolic, it is intentional and strategic. We are mobilizing people, projects, and partnerships exactly where they are needed most.
2.82M
Black & Hispanic People in LTW Jurisdictions
256K+
Young Black Men & Boys (Ages 10-24)
109
Local Officials Engaged
Investing in the Next Generation
Young Leaders Collective
More than 55 Leading the Way Young Leaders from across the country joined us in Louisville—their participation is evidence of the tour's commitment to building the next generation of civic leadership.
150+ Young Leaders Engaged
Across 11 jurisdictions through the Young Leader Collective, we've created intentional space for youth leaders ages 18-24 to engage in strategy sessions, share their stories, shape solutions, and build their civic power.
Real Decision-Making
Power
Power
Young leaders don't just provide feedback—they actively shape strategy, guide decision-making, and drive community solutions. Their voices are central, not supplemental.
Building Civic Power
Through peer learning, leadership development, and strategic engagement, young leaders are building the skills and networks to drive long-term systems change.
Real Decision-Making Power
Young leaders don't just provide feedback—they actively shape strategy, guide decision-making, and drive community solutions. Their voices are central, not supplemental.
Why This Convening Matters
The 12th Annual Convening was designed to amplify the progress cities are making through Community Violence Intervention and holistic public safety strategies.
Since the shakeup in the nation's political landscape, the field of Community Violence Intervention has faced growing pressure and funding uncertainty. The shift in national priorities has made prevention work more difficult to sustain.
Cities United's response is clear: lead the way forward.
This convening brought together mayors, community leaders, young people, and credible messengers to strengthen our infrastructure, align our ecosystems, and build comprehensive public safety plans that can withstand political and economic shifts.
What Happened at Convening
Real Decision-Making Power
Helping cities develop durable, public health-driven systems that address gun violence through prevention, coordination, and care.
Elevating Youth
Leadership
Leadership
Creating pathways for young leaders to meaningfully participate in shaping strategies and driving community solutions.
Building Local Capacity
Providing structured coaching, tools, and frameworks that help jurisdictions institutionalize prevention work.
Advancing Sustainability
Assisting jurisdictions in securing long-term funding and cross-sector partnerships that protect prevention efforts.
Jurisdiction Spotlight
Greensboro, North Carolina
Led by Latisha McNeil, Greensboro has grown its Office of Community Safety into a full Department, overseeing programs like the Behavioral Health Response Team and GSO Peace on Purpose—setting an example for what it means to redefine public safety in real time.
Join the Movement
Cities United relies on a network of advocates,
community leaders, and young voices. Be a part of the change.