We believe that the solution to community safety lies primarily within the community itself. We are collaborating with leaders and organizations, identifying opportunities for their continued success within Memphis Allies and expanding effective services to meet the needs of our community.

Due to many factors including generational poverty and lack of opportunity in communities, the African-American community is overwhelmingly impacted by violence in Memphis and Shelby County. We are elevating lived experiences from those most affected by violence.

We believe that physical and mental health care, human services providers, schools and school leaders, the criminal justice system and the police, and our City and County officials can provide critical leadership and support the dynamic network of community-based services Memphis Allies will create. We are collaborating with our local leaders to achieve our shared goal and align our activities and resources.

Our expert advisors have contributed to successful community safety strategies around the country and bring unique assets to our work. David Muhammad of the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR) has advised on several cities’ strategies, including Oakland’s community safety strategy that achieved a 46% decline in homicides in its first five years. DeVone Boggan, the founder and CEO of Advance Peace, has developed and replicated comprehensive services to reduce gun violence in Stockton and other cities. Melvyn Hayward of Chicago CRED has trained on-the-ground staff in more than 30 cities, including in Memphis. 

We believe that Memphis and Shelby County should benefit from the knowledge and experience of national experts that have reduced violence and increased community safety elsewhere. We are identifying and bringing to Memphis the best national experts to support community-driven change.

We understand our work is urgent and every day we wait means more lives are lost. We are taking action and will be demonstrating results.