The 2019 Peace Builders

I only have one goal as a peace leader which is to decrease violence. I know a lot of people who believe that it is impossible to do, but I disagree. If I were to go into the neighborhood and give a child standing on the street a book for them to read and they read it and got more, I consider this to be stopping violence because if they were still on that street then the probability of them getting shot by a bullet that wasn’t even meant to hit them decreases.
Emmanuel Allison is sponsored by Breakthrough Urban Ministries.
I’ve always been interested in being a leader of social activism. Getting more involved in social justice, peace building, and issues happening in the outside world, I realized that not only am I interested in peace, but I want to act upon this desire.
Micah Baker is sponsored by Holy Family Ministries.
As a peace leader, I want to educate those who are younger than me on things that I didn’t know or understand at their age. I want them to understand that we can make a change in our own communities, no matter our age, gender, or race.
Jaylan Coleman-Tutt is sponsored by Holy Family Ministries.
Growing up in the Lawndale community, violence was always around me. I hear about violence every day. My goals in this position are to bring peace to my community by inspiring the people in my community to put down the guns and to leave the violence alone.
Lashawn Dotson is sponsored by UCAN.
My goal as a peace leader is to do my part in unifying my community for future generations to enjoy and appreciate. I hope to work with troubled youth and then
graduate to become a public speaker and activist.
Alexis Foldes is sponsored by Josephinum Academy.
My goal as a peace leader is to make an impact on people’s lives. If I cannot change the city then I can start with the people and this goes with everything. I want to help mold younger children because they are the future and if they start off at a young age it can save tomorrow.
Roneisha Jackson is sponsored by Chicago Hope Academy.
I think in order to solve the constant gun violence in Chicago we need to teach young people ways they can de-escalate a confrontation with someone. Also, we can bring about peace by showing young people that they have other positive, constructive options that they can use as an outlet instead of being violence.
Patricia Joyner is sponsored by Free Spirit Media.
One of my goals as a peace leader is to help others become peace builders. In the future I see myself teaching other aspiring adults practical tools for peaceful living including skills and methods for conflict resolution and violence prevention.
Cristo Panfilo is sponsored by the Peace on Earth Film Festival.