Actualizing peace leadership in community

Community peace practice in action - 2020 Visionary Aqeela Sherrills

In 2020, Newark, New Jersey reached an historic milestone - Newark Police officers did not fire a single shot. After participating in de-escalation training and working closely with community groups like Newark Community Street Team (NCST), real reform is taking place. We are witnessing the impacts of community peace practice in action. 

Our 2020 Visionary Aqeela Sherrills has been reimagining public safety strategy as a leader at NCST. This program uses a community-based violence reduction strategy to bring a greater sense of peace to the community. During the 2020 George Floyd protests, the cops remained in the background as Aqeela’s Street Team took to the streets to prevent escalation and violence.  “There is a point of entry for the public to play a key role in public safety,” shares Aqeela, and it is time to truly reimagine systems of public safety.

Aqeela and his team passionately believe in the collective work needed to cultivate and sustain peace in our communities. Grounded in peace within and supported by peace in relationships, this community-led transformative work is setting the example for us all on how to reimagine and enact change, and to actualize community peace.

Enlarging community - the Peace Practice Alliance 2021

We are thrilled to provide an update regarding the next Peace Practice Alliance (PPA) cohort! Euphrates received 52 applications from 26 countries, including 13 new countries. We are overwhelmed with gratitude to meet so many individuals who are deeply committed to healing, transformation, and growing their capacity as peace leaders in their communities. 

We are certain the 2021 PPA cohort will be outstanding and can’t wait for you to meet them - stay tuned!

Inspired community action

In a recent report on Chapter activities, Euphrates Liberia Chapter Leader Victor Garpulee shared, “love has no limit.” One way the Liberia Chapter demonstrates this is by continuing to support ongoing food security in their local community. We are inspired by and grateful for the Liberia Chapter’s relentless efforts to live love in action.

Euphrates recommends...

Peace is Loud is an organization that uses the powerful tool of storytelling through justice-centered speakers and grassroots filmmakers. "At Peace is Loud, when we talk about peace and peacebuilding, we see both as multifaceted, intersectional words. Peace is more than just the absence of war—it’s an active approach to creating a more equitable world that requires the recognition of and respect for different perspectives."

Honoring Black History Month, Our Secure Future writes, "A healthy democracy requires equal participation of all its citizens. Black American women have dedicated themselves to this goal throughout history without recognition. The crucial work of Black women’s peacebuilding is at the core of Our Secure Future’s values."