Seizing the Moment

LEADING
the way

Over 52 weeks and across 19 jurisdictions, Cities United’s Leading the Way Tour helped communities move public safety strategies from vision to stronger implementation. Cities United's team helped jurisdictions identify gaps, strengthen cross-sector partnerships, elevate community and young leader voices, and connect local leaders to tools and practices that support sustainability. Through this direct, place-based support jurisdictions strengthened the infrastructures needed to build more coordinated and comprehensive public safety ecosystems.

A map of cities united partner jurisdictions

the impact behind the numbers

young leader engagement

300

Young Leaders via The Young Leader Collective, gathered to discuss topics to help impact public safety.

elected & appointed

193

Local Officials engaged in meetings with community-based organizations and leaders, and young leaders to champion changes in the public ecosystem.

potential impact

3.32 MM

Black people and 370,591 young black men and boys across partner jurisdictions, this work can reshape communities nationwide.

across 19 jurisdictions

$974,995

Direct investments in the local ecosystem from community partners and grants, helps bring young leaders to the table as our partners.

plans for action

At the conclusion of each tour stop, Cities United translated on-the-ground findings into a comprehensive roadmap that identified strengths, surfaced critical gaps, and provided actionable recommendations and resources to move each jurisdiction from assessment to implementation. Support continued beyond the tour stop by helping jurisdictions strengthen coordination, address barriers, and advance more sustainable, comprehensive public safety plans.
Below each jurisdiction has a link for their
CU generated report, and their safety plan.

See the movement

Every city has its own rhythm, its own beauty, and its own solutions. Explore images from each stop on the tour—capturing the people, energy, and purpose that drive this work forward.

Voices in Motion

Watch short-form videos from the tour that spotlight youth leaders, community breakthroughs, and behind-the-scenes moments of transformation.

What’s Working: Key Takeaways

Practical lessons, models, and insights to guide community-led safety work across the country.

From Program to Ecosystem: Scaling What Works

Isolated programs are not enough—communities need ecosystems.

1. Map the existing safety assets and gaps in your city.

2. Build connections across health, housing, education, and reentry.

3. Align messaging and data to track impact across systems, not silos.

3 Steps to Building a Youth-Led CVI Strategy

Empowering young people isn't optional—it's essential. Here’s how to build a safety strategy with youth at the center.

1. Create space for youth voices in planning and decision-making—not just feedback.

2. Resource their leadership with stipends, training, and real authority.

3. Let youth lead messaging, campaigns, and community events to build peer trust and credibility.

How to Strengthen Government-Community Partnerships

Public safety grows when residents and governments co-design solutions.

1. Schedule regular strategy sessions that include grassroots leaders.

2. Provide transparent funding and accountability updates.

3. Use trusted community liaisons to bridge language, trust, and history gaps.

Why Leading the Way
‍Matters

The Leading the Way Tour was created to amplify the progress cities like yours are making through Community Violence Intervention (CVI) and holistic public safety strategies. Across the country, communities are designing and implementing comprehensive ecosystems that are community-led, data-informed, and rooted in healing and opportunity.
These ecosystems go beyond policing and punishment—they focus on prevention, accountability, and support for those most impacted by violence. Leading the Way is a national effort to recognize and accelerate these solutions on the ground.

community voices,
‍national change

Leading the Way Mid-Tour Reflections

The Leading the Way Tour, launched in the spring of 2025

Sustaining the Power of Resistance Turned Resilience: Newark, NJ

Newark, NJ is widely recognized as having one of the strongest

Pittsburgh & Allegheny County Aligning To Save Lives

Local government holds a unique and powerful role in shaping safety

What’s Happening on Tour

As cities face rising challenges—and rising expectations— there is a growing need to invest in community-led strategies that center equity, healing, and long-term impact. Now is the time to highlight success, share power, and deepen our collective commitment to change.

Highlight Local Models that Work

Showcase the strategies, organizations, and leaders that are making a measurable impact in your city—so that others across the country can learn, adapt, and build from your example.

Strengthen Government-Community Partnerships

Ensure that the people closest to the challenges are also the ones helping design the solutions—and that they’re resourced to lead. We bring everyone to the table: government leaders, system partners, grassroots organizers, and directly impacted residents.

Build Capacity for
Long-Term Sustainability

Support jurisdictions in refining their strategy, engaging youth, shifting narratives, and building cross-sector alignment. We provide coaching, tools, and follow-up resources to ensure that the work doesn’t end when the tour leaves.

Amplify the Voice of Young Leaders

Young people are not just the future of community safety—they are the present. We create intentional space for youth leaders—ages 18 to 24—to engage in strategy sessions, share their stories, shape solutions, and build their civic power.

Get
Involved

Join us in Leading the Way! Attend a local event, partner with Cities United, or help amplify the work happening in your community. Together, we can create the change we want to see.