In collaboration with Anthony Smith of Cities United and guided by the work of No More Red Dots, this project prioritizes the voices of those on the frontlines interrupting the cycles of violence and those most impacted by the systems of inequity perpetuating the national public health crisis of gun violence.

Since January 2024, we have engaged 12 authors from Louisville’s gun violence intervention ecosystem in a compelling and compassionate storytelling process culminating in an unprecedented book. 

These 12 peacekeepers illuminate what it takes to interrupt and prevent cycles of violence through in-depth descriptions of their experiences. Their stories will be published in a book that is 8" x 9" and 288 full-color pages.

There has never been a book that so richly documents this heroic work that is deeply grounded in love, relationships, and collective effort.

Save the date for October 23! Join us that evening for a free book launch celebration at Kentucky Center for African American Heritage. Stay tuned for more details. 

In addition to publishing the book, we are also co-creating a companion discussion guide designed to elevate local dialogue and expand the national discourse on public safety.

The book and its authors will be featured during Cities United’s 2025 Annual Convening in Louisville October 29-31, putting the book in the hands of a national network of community violence experts, offering the authors a national stage, and shining a spotlight on the stories and solutions of Louisville’s ecosystem of Peacekeepers.

Through these efforts, Louisville’s own can spark life-saving peacekeeping efforts across the United States.