Breakthrough conference Posts

Recently, Memphis Allies and its co-hosts presented the Third Annual Breakthrough Conference, which brought together many community organizations and stakeholders invested in reducing gun violence locally and nationally.

Memphis Allies’ mission to reduce gun violence is carried out daily by going into the city’s neighborhoods. Sometimes when there is trouble, and other times to simply meet people where they are: to share some food and a conversation, or a laugh and provide a bouncy house and a water slide for the neighborhood kids on a hot summer day.

Fueling Hope: Memphis Allies donates van to the CPC. As part of the partnership, Memphis Allies recently presented the CPC with a new van and a monetary donation to support its community work.

This line of work chooses you, you don’t choose it. For Memphis Allies and partner organizations, the work to reduce gun violence isn’t just a job; it isn’t just clocking in 9 to 5, it’s a 24/7 commitment.

For partner organizations, the pattern of change has started

Ephie Johnson, president and CEO of Neighborhood Christian Centers, Inc., was a co-host of the first Breakthrough Conference in 2023. She liked what the national speakers on community violence intervention, or CVI, had to say. And she appreciated the effort to bring organizations together in one place.

In a large ballroom at the Memphis Hilton, almost 500 people had gathered for the 2024 Breakthrough Conference dedicated to community violence intervention (CVI.)

Facing them was Anthony Smith, executive director of Cities United. Standing behind a lectern on stage, Smith would have a lot to say about CVI work and the necessity of cooperation and collaboration.