Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Hosts MLK Day Celebration: Embracing Humanity

Dr. Selwyn Rogers (INVC Board vice-chair). Marcus Simpson (outreach worker), Dr. Susan Lee, Dr. Laurence Ralph, Senate Major Leader Kimberly Lightford, Teny Gross (CEO), Alderwoman Emma Mitts, Shunda Collins (VP Development & Communications) at INVC’s MLK Day Celebration.

On Saturday, January 11, 2025, the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago hosted their MLK Day Celebration, “Embracing Humanity,” an event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of nonviolence and equity. The event brought together thought leaders, advocates, and community members to spotlight transformative efforts in community violence intervention (CVI) through intersections of public health, public policy reform, and direct outreach.

The program featured a panel discussion with notable figures, including Pulitzer Prize-winning author Dr. Laurence Ralph, Chief Strategy and Policy Officer of Chicago CRED Susan Lee, Surgeon and Founding Director of the University of Chicago Medicine Trauma Center Dr. Selwyn Rogers, and Lead Outreach Specialist of the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Marcus Simpson. The panel explored a wide range of prevention, intervention and redemption strategies that have advanced public health, gun violence reduction and reform for systemic inequities. The conversation ultimately highlighted Dr. King’s vision of a just and peaceful society being achieved in Chicago through effective collaboration.

Susan Lee was honored with INVC’s first “Beloved Community Builder” award with a special tribute for her groundbreaking work in public safety innovation and systems change. Lee has spent more than 25 years in policy development, public safety reform, and strategic planning and has influenced CVI strategy across the country. Her role in creating the blueprint for Los Angeles’ approach to violence has been adopted in Chicago and many cities nationwide.

The event also included an interactive community art project, facilitated by muralist Eric Harold, founder of Chicago Creative Initiative where attendees contributed creative expressions of their ideas of unity, peace, nonviolence and the Beloved Community.