Strides For Peace Gun Violence Prevention Expo
THE EXPO
The goal of the Gun Violence Prevention Expo is to bring together resource providers, civic partners, public officials, community organizations and those for whom making Chicago a safer city is a top priority. The Expo is designed to build a collective impact approach across leaders, communities and the sectors they represent.
Attendees will have opportunities to connect with organizations and civic partners in Chicagoland and beyond in order to identify and align common interests and available resources.
The theme for this year’s Gun Violence Prevention Expo is "Legacy of Leadership: Inspiring the Next Generation to Rise." This event will bring together current high school students along with the organizations that support them with young adult leaders, aged 25-35, who have transformed their passion for change into impactful leadership roles within their communities. They will share their journeys and the tangible actions they’ve taken to reduce gun violence, aiming to inspire the next wave of leaders among high school students. By empowering these students to envision their own paths to leadership and action, we seek to create a ripple effect of positive change.
SPONSORS
For our sponsors and supporters, this Expo is not just an event; it's an investment in the future of our communities, fostering the leaders who will continue the vital work of building safer, stronger neighborhoods.
PROGRAM ELEMENTS
10 am-1:30 pm
Student Focus: Inspiring the Next Generation
10 am Explore Interactive Exhibits (youth divided up into 6 groups and will rotate through each)
11:50 Lunch Served
12:00 pm-1:00 pm Legacy of Leadership: Friends of Blair Holt & Hadiya Pendleton as well as other influencers, artists and activists
1:30 Students head back to school
2:00-5:00 pm
Community Partners Focus: Resources for Building Effective Organizations
2-4 pm Gun Violence Prevention Resource Fair
Connect and Collaborate
Happy Hour Reception
4-5 pm Keynote Speaker
The 2024 Expo Steering Committee Includes:
Ade Osadolor, Andrea Saenz, Antonio Davis, Arne Duncan, Avik Das, Bradly Johnson, Chondra Wright, Christopher Crater, Craig Leva, Daisy Vega Dar’tavous Dorsey, Dawn Valenti, Deborah Gorman-Smith, Don Wardlow, Donovan Price Sr., Erica Bauer, Evan Shy, Father Pfleger, Glen Brooks Jr., Jeff Shapack, Joanie Friedman, Kandace Lenti, Kim Smith, Kimberly Burt, Ladell Johnson, Laura Grossman, Lisa Saul, Lt. Jermaine Harris, Maggie Shapack, Maria Pike, Matt DeMateo, Meredith Stricker, Monica Guerrero, Monica Gutierrez, Pastor Anthony Wright, Pastor David Watkins, Patrick Owens, Rev. Veronica Johnson, Rosa Rubio, Roseanna Ander, Rubye Lane, Saba Ayman-Nolley, Sally Bown, Samantha Chatman, Sonia Wang, Sandip Amin, Sydne Peck, Tahirah Moore, Tareef Michael, Te’Aira Malone, Theresa Ashford, Tika Washington, Vondale Singleton, Wendy Williams