Mayor Brandon Johnson and Vic Mensa with Metropolitan Peace Academy graduates (Photo Credit: City of Chicago).
Mayor Brandon Johnson congratulated the Metropolitan Peace Academy’s Fall 2024 graduates in an address, praising their resilience and commitment to improving the city.
“Good evening, everyone, and happy holidays,” he began, warmly greeting the assembled crowd. “Let me say that you are all the sharpest-dressed people in the entire city. I am humbled to accept this award, and I am grateful to be recognized for our collective work in fostering healthy communities.
Mayor Brandon Johnson Receives Inaugural MPA Peacemaker Award
Photo Credit: City of Chicago
Mayor Johnson received the inaugural MPA Peacemaker Award during the celebration of the academy’s latest cohort of graduates. The award recognized the mayor’s unwavering advocacy for communities most affected by gun violence and his leadership in directing violence prevention programs across Chicago.
“I’m grateful to be recognized for this commitment to fostering true, healthy communities,” said Mayor Johnson as he accepted the award. “Of course, I cannot do this work alone. I accept this alongside the entire city of Chicago, including you here. Ultimately, you are activating a mission to build a better, safer future.”
The mayor highlighted the importance of the collective effort needed to address violence and build safer communities. He highlighted that investing in street outreach is critical in strengthening the “People’s Plan for Community Safety”—the mayor’s community-led initiative to foster safety and healing in Chicago. “The graduates represent the heart of change,” he stated. “You are working tirelessly to reduce violence and support those most affected.”
Acknowledging the challenges many graduates have faced, Mayor Johnson admired their perseverance. “Some of you have come through tremendous challenges, but you are truly the essence of who we are as a city,” he said. “Not only are you setting out to build safer communities, but you are also setting a strong example of how one can transform their life and, in turn, their communities.”
As part of the People’s Plan for Community Safety, Mayor Johnson reiterated his administration’s commitment to investing in and collaborating with outreach workers and community violence intervention organizations.
In an extraordinary acknowledgment, Johnson gave a shout-out to the West Side of Chicago, his hometown area, particularly the 60644 zip code, showing the importance of ensuring safety and peace across all neighborhoods.
Vic Mensa’s Powerful Keynote Highlights the Impact of Violence Interruption
Chicago native Vic Mensa, a renowned musician, activist and actor from the TV series “The Chi,” delivered a powerful keynote address at MPA’s graduation ceremony.
Mensa is known for his work in the entertainment industry and advocacy for peace, mental wellness and community building. He shared his sincere message about the life-changing power of violence interruption and the work of those in the field with the audience.
“The work that y’all do is the antidote,” he said, referring to the ceremony’s violence interrupters and outreach workers. His profound connection to the cause of violence prevention was evident as he shared personal stories and reflections on his journey.
He credited his understanding of street-level violence prevention to individuals like Auntie and other members of the violence interrupter community, who helped him realize the professional impact of such outreach work. “Seeing how effective it is, made me aware of how much difference one person can make; many times in my life, it could have gone another way, but because of you, I can be on this stage today instead of a cemetery or a cell.”
The work of violence interrupters, which goes beyond intervention, is about breaking the cycle of violence that entraps individuals in a psychological prison. “The cycle of violence is so imprisoning, not just in the physical sense,” he noted. “When you intervene and help someone make a different choice, you give them freedom. You’re helping them break free from a system of violence and reeducating them about the power of peace.”
Mensa’s journey into violence prevention began in 2018 when he traveled to Palestine and witnessed the severe violence in the region. Inspired by a group running “Stop the Bleed” programs, Mensa returned to Chicago determined to create a similar initiative.
He launched the “Street Medics” program, teaching local youth lifesaving techniques to prevent injury and death from gun violence. Reflecting on a particularly transformative experience, he shared how a mother told him that the training her son received saved his life after he was shot.
“I realized that what you all do is life-changing,” Mensa stated. “You’re not just saving lives physically; you’re saving people mentally and emotionally. You’re dealing with freedom.”
Celebrating the Fall 2024 Graduates: Transforming Chicago Communities
Photo Credit: Marshelle Sanders
Acknowledging the systemic roots of violence, he also spoke to the broader social issues that contribute to conflict, such as a lack of access to education, healthcare and housing. “Chicago is often a scapegoat for all of America’s problems, but we know the root causes of violence—lack of autonomy, opportunity and resources,” he explained. “The work you do is important because it gives people access to a better life, peace and ultimately freedom.”
MPA recently hosted its graduation ceremony at South Shore Cultural Center. The event celebrated the dedication and hard work of Chicagoans who had completed an intensive training program in violence prevention.
Fall 2024 graduates represented street outreach workers, case managers and victim advocates, who have spent months strengthening their skills and knowledge to become integral parts of the city’s efforts to reduce violence and create safer communities.
In an encouraging tradition, the ceremony began with an interactive “check-in,” setting the tone for the community spirit that defined the audience. Everyone in the audience was encouraged to show a thumbs-up if they were feeling excited and energized or a thumbs-down if they were not feeling their best. This showed a supportive atmosphere, creating unity among graduates and participants.
As the evening progressed, the focus shifted from individual accomplishments to the collective goal of the MPA community: ensuring the safety and stability of all Chicagoans.
The speakers reminded everyone that while it was time for celebration, it was also a time to demonstrate professionalism. The ceremony concluded with certificates and an evening of dancing the night away down the hall.
Photo Credit: Marshelle Sanders
For more information on the Metropolitan Peace Academy, please visit metropolitanpeaceinitiatives.org.
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