From Chicago to Ghana: Communities Partnering 4 Peace’s Transformative Journey

A delegation of leaders from Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) recently traveled to Ghana with support from Crown Family Philanthropies. This visit highlighted the importance of bridging community work with cultural understanding. The group aimed to learn from Ghana’s rich history and culture while reflecting on their roles in community violence intervention back home.

Day 1: A Journey Through Ghana’s Political and Cultural History

On the first day, the delegation visited significant historical landmarks in Accra. The delegation was comprised of Ric Estrada, CEO and President of Metropolitan Family Services; Christa Hamilton, CEO and President of UCAN; Angela Hurlock, CEO and Executive Director of Claretian Associates; Dr. Mattie ‘MJ’ Stanford, COO and Internal Executive Director of Target Area Development; Shunda Collins, Vice President of Development & Communications at the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago (INVC); Joseph Mapp, Director of Reentry at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation; Rafi Peterson, Program Supervisor at Southwest Organizing Project; Pastor Michael Allen, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Together Chicago; Marlon Buggs, Program Supervisor at Together Chicago; Corey Frierson, Program Supervisor at Together Chicago; Laprentiss Flowers, Outreach Supervisor at Together Chicago; James Luckes, Street Outreach Supervisor at Together Chicago; and Glen Brooks, Director of Community Policing at the Chicago Police Department.

Their tour included the W.E.B. Dubois Center, where they learned about the legacy of W.E.B. Dubois and his connection to both the civil rights movement and pan-Africanism. This was followed by a stop at Independence Square and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, dedicated to the first president of Ghana, who played a pivotal role in the country’s liberation from colonial rule under Great Britan. The group also explored the Art Center, immersing themselves in local art and dance.

Day 2: Nature and Healing in Cape Coast

The delegation traveled to Cape Coast on the second day and braved the Canopy Walk in the Kakum Rainforest. Throughout the journey through the rainforest CP4P leaders learned about herbs and trees that have been used for their healing properties over centuries. 

Day 3: Honoring Ancestors and History

On the third day the CP4P delegation dressed in white to honor ancestors while visiting Assin Manso and Cape Coast Castle, two historical sites deeply connected to the transatlantic slave trade. Assin Manso, also known as “The Last Bath,” is the location enslaved Africans were bathed and prepared for their journey across the Atlantic Ocean to “The New World.” Cape Coast Castle is an infamous slave dungeon where captives were held before being shipped across the ocean. This visit was a powerful moment of reflection on the trauma endured by ancestors, and a way to honor those who were enslaved.

That evening the CP4P delegation met with representatives from the Village of Saaman, where they presented donations, fostering a final connection between Chicago and Ghana.

Day 4: Celebrating New Beginnings

The final day culminated in a celebratory dinner, which included a special naming ceremony—a traditional ritual in Ghana where each leader was given an added name symbolizing their personality and leadership. While this dinner marked the final event of the CP4P delegation’s journey to Ghana it also marked the beginning of a renewed commitment to their work in Chicago.

Lasting Lessons and Final Reflections from the Team

The delegation left Ghana with a deeper understanding of history, culture, and the resilience of the human spirit. The lessons learned on this journey will influence their approach to community violence intervention, as they apply the wisdom, empathy, and knowledge gained in Ghana to the communities they serve in Chicago.

Below are some added reflections from CP4P leaders in the delegation:

“Visiting and experiencing Ghana with the CP4P delegation was enlightening, painful and humbling. I could see, hear, smell and sense the painful history that must be continually confronted and explored, and at the same time, we saw a Ghanaian people firmly rooted in their traditions and cultures. Above all, experiencing the mother continent together helped strengthen the CP4P community.  MLK’s words never rang truer – ‘We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.’” – Ricardo Estrada CEO and President of Metropolitan Family Services 

“My trip to Accra, Ghana, was a deeply moving and educational experience. Immersing myself in the history of slavery brought a profound understanding of the immense struggles and restrictions faced by our ancestors. It was humbling to learn about their resilience in the face of such unimaginable challenges…The experience reminded me of the privilege I hold today—having access to resources, freedom, and opportunities to address social problems that continue to affect our communities. This reflection strengthens my resolve to tackle the issues in Chicago with a renewed sense of responsibility, drawing inspiration from the courage of those who came before us. I feel honored to be in a position to help shape a better future, carrying forward the legacy of resilience and hope.” – Christa Hamilton CEO of UCAN

“I’ve recently been introduced to a national movement ‘I Am Because We Are’…I’ve sat in it and reflected on all who played a part [in slavery] in our country. I think moments of healing [from that] are very important. Those moments to be reflective are so important. I am because so many before me were. It didn’t just stop at slavery. Imagine if everyone who came across didn’t survive. Survival is important. This is a reminder.” – Joseph Mapp Director of Reentry at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation

“Getting to walk the path that our forefathers and foremothers walk was really special. To hear about what was going on at the time, the distrust, the dissension…breaking people apart. This is the same thing we are experiencing back in Chicago…Not trusting each other… doing things to their own benefit, that’s going on today…For us to see this, to hear this and be able to spread the message back to Chicago…it’s awesome. I can’t wait to go back and push that idea a little bit more with my program. It opened my eyes.” – Corey Frierson Program Supervisor at Together Chicago

“When we walked down to the river I saw where our ancestors would rather hit their heads on rocks than be enslaved. To be at a place where my people took their last walk it broke me. My people didn’t come back. They didn’t deserve that. They walked that walk and never came back by someone else’s hands. That is so unfair.”- James Luckes Street Outreach Supervisor at Together Chicago

“Although the slave dungeons were gut wrenching and heartbreaking it also gave me a sense of empowerment letting me know not only do I need to fight and persevere during tough times but I also need to bring about more unity so our people won’t be divided…It makes me want to not only gather with my people, but organizations as well. Coming together so we can do good.”- MJ Stanford COO of Target Area Development

“When we visited Kwame Nkrumah’s museum his quote stuck with me. ‘Those who would judge us by the heights we’ve achieved would do well to remember the depths from which we started.’ It’s so important to understand where people are coming from, then looking to where they are going. If we look at our work, our people, even our staff from that point then we won’t get defeated.” – Angela Hurlock CEO of Claretian Associates