From April 28-29, Cities United will partner with community leaders in hosting the Leading the Way Tour, a national initiative to accelerate and invest in community-driven public safety strategies rooted in community, healing, and opportunity.
The two-day event will bring together young leaders, local officials, and community partners to showcase innovative approaches to violence reduction and public safety. Through workshops, discussions, and collaborative planning, participants will empower community voices and chart a shared vision to build a comprehensive public safety ecosystem in the Greater Atlanta region.
“The culmination of our 20-city Leading the Way Tour in the Greater Atlanta area is a reflection of what’s possible when jurisdictions commit to building a comprehensive public safety ecosystem built on trust, coordination, and community leadership. At the heart of this work is a clear and unwavering focus on young Black men and boys. When we intentionally center those most impacted by community violence by listening to them, investing in them, and walking alongside them, we reduce harm, we transform systems, and create pathways to lasting change,” said Anthony D. Smith, Executive Director of Cities United.
“Atlanta is at a defining moment. While we’ve made progress, too many of our communities are still facing the daily impact of violence, and it’s clear that traditional approaches alone are not enough. Community Violence Intervention (CVI) efforts are showing us what’s possible when we invest directly in people, relationships, and prevention. This work is making our neighborhoods safer and it’s time we treat it as a core part of public safety. As a city, we should be seriously exploring how to invest more resources and funding into CVI strategies that are rooted in the community and proven to save lives. If we are committed to long-term safety and equity in Atlanta, this is the direction we need to move in,” said Antonio Lewis, Atlanta City Council member (District 12).
“DeKalb County’s Human Services team is proud to be working to develop a Community Violence Intervention plan. Our goal is to work with all of our partners to create a safer, healthier and resourceful county for all of our citizens. We are honored to work with so many partners in public safety, health care providers, and nonprofits – truly we are all focused on the community. We also value our relationship with Cities United and are delighted to be part of the Leading the Way tour,” said Damon Scott, Human Services Department Director, DeKalb County Government.
“Atlanta is a city of resilience, but many of our young people still face challenges that impact their safety and well-being. At Wii Care, we’re committed to creating pathways for youth to feel safe, supported, stable and empowered to lead healthy lives.Our partnership with Cities United, especially through the Leading the Way Tour, strengthens and elevates this work by bringing shared learning and national momentum that helps us deepen our impact and build a safer future for our community,” said Ricky “Dip” Usher, Executive Director of Wii Care Atlanta.
The Greater Atlanta County stop on the Leading the Way Tour will feature a two-day immersive experience that includes:
- Local Officials Engagement and Support:
Cities United and local partners will convene a series of targeted conversations and briefings with elected and appointed officials to deepen their understanding of comprehensive public safety ecosystems that are community-led, data-informed, and grounded in healing, prevention, and opportunity. These sessions will explore how local leaders can align policy, resources, and institutional practices to support long-term, sustainable violence reduction. Officials will also hear about successful strategies from peer cities and identify actionable steps to champion community-led public safety efforts across the county. - Young Leader Collaborative Session:
Cities United young leader representatives will co-facilitate a workshop with approximately 15 youth leaders (ages 18–24) from the Greater Atlanta area. This session is designed to build young leaders and surface youth-led solutions to building safe, healthy, and hopeful communities across the Greater Atlanta area. Youth will also learn about Cities United’s Redefining Public Safety Framework, which approaches violence reduction through a public health lens.
- Roadmap Academy Bootcamp:
Cities United will lead a hands-on planning session, known as the Roadmap Bootcamp, designed to help local leaders, young leaders, and public safety partners define clear, actionable next steps to strengthen their efforts to reduce community violence. The Bootcamp will help the participants assess their current positioning on the Cities United, Redefining Public Safety Framework. Together, participants will identify strengths, challenges, and next steps toward building a more coordinated, comprehensive public safety ecosystem. The workshop will provide training on community violence intervention and prevention strategies, tools, and techniques.
(This event is open to the media – please RSVP.) - Community Dinner:
The Leading the Way Community Dinner is a networking and engagement experience that brings together young leaders, grassroots organizers, and public officials from across the Greater Atlanta region to redefine public safety. The table-talk discussions will focus on community-driven solutions to prevent and reduce community violence. During the dinner event, young leaders will also lead discussions on what safety means in their communities.
(This event is open to the media – please RSVP.)
The Leading the Way Tour is a celebration of local leadership, a deep dive into comprehensive public safety strategies, and a catalyst for building stronger, more equitable ecosystems of care, connectivity, and true public safety. Greater Atlanta is the last stop on the 20-city Leading The Way Tour. Previous Leading the Way Tour stops have included: Miami, FL; Jackson, MS; Newport News, VA; Greensboro, NC; Toledo, OH; Memphis, TN; Newark, NJ.
Cities United supports a national network of mayors and other local leaders who are committed to building comprehensive public safety ecosystems designed to reduce community violence and its impact on young Black men and boys, and their families, while also creating new pathways for them to thrive. Through partnerships, policy support, and storytelling, Cities United helps cities build sustainable, community-led strategies for safety and well-being. Learn more: CitiesUnited.org
