Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs is encouraging community members to attend a free and public event on Friday (January 6) featuring nationally-recognized peace activist and social entrepreneur Erica Ford of New York City. The after work session featuring Ms. Ford will be at Render, a new tech start up located at 2209 N. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Ms. Ford, who grew up in Queens, NY, is the founder and CEO of LIFE Camp, Inc., which primarily provides at-risk inner-city youth, ages 13-24, with valuable tools they need to stay in school and out of the criminal justice system. Many credit her approach with drastically reducing deadly gun violence and homicides in violence-prone areas of NYC. The LIFE Camp program also offers individuals educational, employment and social opportunities they might not otherwise have.

“With the arrival of the new year and Milwaukee already tallying several homicides, I believe Ms. Ford’s appearance offers a positive opportunity for us to come together to listen to her ideas and her strategies about reducing violence,” Alderwoman Coggs said. The event is sponsored by Alderwoman Coggs, the city Office of Violence Prevention, state Rep. David Crowley, and the Lauren Group.