Public Equity, Think Outside Da Block Join Communities Partnering 4 Peace

Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) is proud to officially welcome two new organizations to the collective — Public Equity and Think Outside Da Block. These groups join 13 other community-based and citywide organizations dedicated to helping heal Chicago’s communities experiencing the highest levels of gun violence.

Public Equity and Think Outside Da Block will both serve the Englewood area through a variety of trauma-informed best practices, including violence interruption, case management, street outreach, and victim services. As members of CP4P, representatives from the two organizations will coordinate with fellow CP4P organizations on citywide and regional violence intervention. The organizations will also receive specialized outreach and leadership training through the Metropolitan Peace Academy (MPA) to further professionalize their work. 

“As a collaborative, we’re excited to bring Public Equity and Think Outside Da Block into the fold,” said Vaughn Bryant, Vice President and Executive Director of Metropolitan Peace Initiatives (MPI). “These agencies meet those most affected by gun violence where they are at, which is the hyperlocal, trauma-informed approach we look for when selecting new members. MPI supports organizations with a license to open in their local communities, hire credible messengers and have the administrative capacity to deliver the work.”

Think Outside Da Block Executive Director Pha’Tal Perkins added, “Think Outside Da Block is excited to join the CP4P collaborative to bring new ideas, learn from and grow with the collective in hopes that together we can address marginalization and the root causes of violence, social norms and the overall health of underserved communities across Chicago.”

The organization, founded in 2016, works to improve the lives of disadvantaged youth through peer support, financial literacy, and community engagement. 

Working to reduce gun violence through a public health lens, Public Equity connects individuals in Chicago’s most impacted communities to wraparound supports like housing assistance, mental health treatment referrals, and vocational training. 

 “Public Equity would not be where it is today without the training, support, and investment of MPI,” said Public Equity Executive Director Tony Woods. “We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for the dedicated staff of MPI directors, accountants, trainers, and program officers who have walked alongside us from the start of our journey to the present.”

Learn more about the 28 communities that CP4P serves here.