Registration is officially OPEN!
Join us in Memphis, October 20–23, for Cities United’s 13th Annual Convening, the premier gathering for leaders committed to building safe, healthy, and hopeful communities for young Black men and boys.
This year, we are “Seizing the Moment: Enhancing the Public Safety Ecosystem.” This is where strategy meets soul. Where connection turns into action. Where the work, and the people behind it take center stage.
🔗 Register today at the link in our bio (or, comment “MEMPHIS” and we’ll send the link directly to you!)
#CitiesUnited #CU13Memphis
Since 2011, Cities United has been redefining public safety by working alongside communities to build ecosystems rooted in prevention, healing, and opportunity for young Black men and boys.
This moment has been 15 years in the making, and now we’re inviting you to be part of the movement:
💛 $15 on the 15th
Give $15 on the 15th of every month and help equip Cities United to continue to:
- Coach and support jurisdictions
- Invest in young Black leaders
- Engage trusted messengers doing frontline and life-changing work
- Provide healing-centered approaches that restore hope
Click the link in our bio to give now! (tinyurlcom/give15for15)
#CitiesUnited #CU15onThe15th
15 years ago, this work started as a call to action. Today, it’s a national movement to create safe, healthy, and hopeful communities for young Black men and boys.
When you give $15, you're helping to redefine public safety by standing with:
✨ Young Leaders embodying change
✨ Community Organizers saving lives on the front lines
✨ Jurisdictions committed to violence intervention strategies
Make your donation today at tinyurl.com/give15for15 (link in bio)
#CitiesUnited #CU15onthe15th
How do research, data, and community voice work together to reduce community violence? Learn how during Cities United's May Roll Call:
This conversation will continue the momentum from last month’s discussion on summer programming by exploring how jurisdictions can use research, evaluation, and lived experience to strengthen comprehensive public safety ecosystems and create safe, healthy, and hopeful communities for young Black men and boys.
Tuesday, May 26 | 4 PM EST / 3 PM CST
Register: tinyurl.com/maysrollcall (link in bio)
Panelists:
• Dr. Monique Williams, CEO, Cure Violence Global
• Dr. Trinidad Jackson, MPH, MS, FNAP, University of Louisville School of Public Health & Information Sciences
• Dr. Shani Buggs, MPH, PhD, UC Davis Centers for Violence Prevention
#CitiesUnited
As we approach the 15th of the month, we’re reminded of the real impact that has taken place over the past 15 years. Your $15 donation helps us to:
• Create conditions where young Black men and boys can thrive in communities that are safe, healthy, and hopeful
• Support trusted messengers doing life-saving work on the frontlines
• Strengthen comprehensive public safety ecosystems
We’re calling on YOU to help continue powering the movement. 🧡
✔️ Click the link in our bio to give
✔️ Tag 3 people committed to redefining public safety
✔️ Share this post to help us spread the word and deepen the impact
#CitiesUnited #CU15onthe15th
Mount Vernon is proving that safe, healthy, and hopeful communities are built through a collaborative ecosystem. During our #LeadingTheWayTour stop, we connected with the partners, young leaders, and city officials committed to redefining public safety and centering youth voice every step of the way.
Swipe for highlights from our time in Mount Vernon and learn about Leading The Way at citiesunited.org/leadingtheway (link in bio)
Featured partners: @ysow4youth , @fswestchester , @mountvernonyb , @mountvernonny
Mount Vernon is going all in on public safety by building out a comprehensive ecosystem of care to ensure the city’s young Black men and boys have the services and support they need to thrive.
On the #LeadingTheWayTour, we witnessed their commitment to building safe, healthy, and hopeful communities first hand. It’s evident through their community engagement efforts, which include diversion programs, mentorship and job opportunities, along with ensuring young leaders have a meaningful seat at the decision-making table.
Watch the recap featuring Mount Vernon’s Mayor, Shawyn Patterson-Howard (@mayorsph ), and learn more at citiesunited.org/leadingtheway (link in bio)
Summer time provides us an opportunity to invest in young leaders. Across our network, we know that when we create pathways for young leaders through enrichment, job training, and development, we’re building safe, healthy, and hopeful communities by keeping them engaged.
Consistent opportunities for connection strengthen trust with credible messengers and open doors to leadership, healing, and growth. This is what it looks like to activate a comprehensive public safety ecosystem that prevents harm, centers young people, and creates real opportunity.
Don’t miss this month’s Roll Call:
📅 Monday, April 27, 2026
⏰ 3 PM CST / 4 PM EST
🔗 Register: tinyurl.com/aprollcall
🎤 Guest Panelists:
- K’Durell Cowan, Executive Director, Heal 901 (Memphis, TN)
- Brysen Davis, School-Based Interrupter, MONSE (Toledo, OH)
- Ginny McCarthy, Director of Development, GRASP (Denver, CO)
Join us as we align, share what’s working, and seize the moment to ensure our young people are supported, seen, and thriving. #CitiesUnited
King County is moving beyond enforcement-led responses to build a comprehensive public safety ecosystem grounded in healing, opportunity, and equity. The Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention is the central hub for strategy, coordination, and investing in a public health approach to community violence.
During our #LeadingTheWayTour stop, we heard directly from the partners, young leaders, and county officials who are driving King County’s transformation. Their 100 Days of Action and Voices of Hope and Healing Summit are just two ways that the jurisdiction is ensuring community voices are heard and crises are averted.
Learn more about our time in King County and the other Leading the Way stops at citiesunited.org/leadingtheway (link in bio)
Featured partners: @communitypassageways@weareurbanfam@freedomprojectwa@harborviewmedical@progresspushers
Summer Is Now: Activating Safety Through Programming
As temperatures rise, so does the risk of violence. This month’s Roll Call centers what we know works, which is intentional summer programming as a core strategy to build safe, healthy, and hopeful communities.
Creating consistent opportunities for connection keeps young leaders engaged, builds trust with credible messengers, and opens pathways for leadership, healing, and growth. This is how we strengthen a comprehensive public safety ecosystem and prevent harm before it happens.
Join us for April’s Roll Call:
📅 Monday, April 27, 2026
⏰ 3 PM CST / 4 PM EST
🔗 Register: tinyurl.com/aprollcall (link in bio)
🎤 Guest Panelists:
- K’Durell Cowan, Executive Director, Heal 901 (Memphis, TN)
- Brysen Davis, School-Based Interrupter, MONSE (Toledo, OH)
- Ginny McCarthy, Director of Development, GRASP (Denver, CO)
Let’s align on strategy, celebrate what’s working, and seize the moment to ensure young leaders are supported, seen, and thriving.
We’re happy to introduce Anthony D. Jones as our new Senior Associate of Creative Impact at Cities United! Anthony was born and raised in Louisville and has over 20 years of experience in creative leadership, building strong teams, and designing community-focused projects.
He strongly believes that it’s all about the community and that people are the most important thing. He constantly expresses that building genuine relationships is more valuable than money.
Anthony is a proud husband and a dad to two daughters, one of whom is currently studying at Howard University. He also is member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., where he works on programs like Men of Quality, which mentors young men and offers scholarships.
Please join us in welcoming Anthony Jones to the Cities United Team!
TODAY IS THE DEADLINE to submit a Request for Proposal to lead a breakout session at the Cities United 13th Annual Convening, happening October 20-23, 2026, in Memphis, TN.
We’re inviting leaders, practitioners, and partners to seize the moment to share strategies, innovations, and community-centered solutions with hundreds of change makers committed to creating safer, healthier, and hopeful communities for young Black men and boys.
Breakout sessions are interactive and designed to spark learning, dialogue, and action. Proposals that reflect collaboration, innovation, and ecosystem impact are strongly encouraged.
Submit your proposal: /CUproposal (link in bio)
