In this episode, Kanoya Ali and Peter Cunningham sit down with Erica Ford, widely known as the "Peace Doctor," to explore her groundbreaking work in community violence intervention (CVI) and the remarkable transformation of New York City from a high-violence environment into a safer, more hopeful community.
They discuss her vital role in the Crisis Management System, the innovative Peace Bus initiative, and the critical need for sustained investment in community-based violence prevention efforts. Erica also shares powerful insights on the importance of self-care for those on the front lines of activism, while emphasizing our collective responsibility in building true public safety.
The conversation also addresses the political challenges surrounding violence reduction and makes a compelling case for a healing-centered approach to strengthening communities.

In this episode, William Juju Brown shares his journey from a troubled upbringing in Englewood, Chicago, to becoming a life coach with Chicago CRED. He discusses the challenges faced by participants in the community violence intervention program, the importance of cognitive behavioral interventions, and the need for mentorship and support systems. Juju emphasizes the significance of addressing the roots of violence and the role of youth in prevention efforts. He reflects on his personal growth and the impact of CBI on reducing community violence, while also highlighting the ongoing need for engagement and support in the community.

In this conversation, Kanoya Ali and Peter Cunningham talk with J. Sweet, a community violence intervention specialist, discussing the innovative use of sports, particularly paintball, as a therapeutic tool for at-risk youth. They explore J's personal journey from investment banking to community service, the importance of mental health care, and the role of sports in fostering identity and belonging among young people. The discussion emphasizes the need for culturally competent mental health systems and the potential of sports to create a strong community and reduce violence within it.

In this episode, Peter Cunningham and Kanoya Ali discuss the significant decline in gun violence in Chicago in 2025, attributing it to community efforts and collaboration among various organizations in Chicago. They explore the importance of community violence intervention (CVI) programs, the need for skills training, and the impact on youth and emphasize the importance of education and community support in creating a safer environment for future generations.

Dr. Lance Williams, scholar and author of several books on Chicago's street organizations, brings a unique perspective to understanding gang culture through academic research combined with personal connections. As the son of an original Vice Lords founding member, Dr. Williams traces the historical evolution of Chicago's street organizations from the Policy Kings of the early 1900s through today's horizontal gang structures. He explains how the elimination of Policy Kings by Italian organized crime created a power vacuum that led to the emergence of Black street gangs in the late 1950s, and how groups like the Vice Lords, Disciples, and Black Stone Rangers became involved in civil rights and political movements. Dr. Williams discusses the transformation from vertically organized gangs with clear leadership to today's fragmented cliques and crews, arguing this shift was an adaptive response to federal prosecutions that targeted gang leaders. He offers sobering analysis of current community violence intervention efforts, questioning whether the scale of investment matches the magnitude of the problem.

Kanoya Ali and Peter Cunningham sit down with Aaron Rivas, an outreach leader with New Life Centers, serving Chicago's Little Village community. Aaron shares how a life-changing moment at a funeral, seeing his own name on a young victim's casket, led him from church pews to street corners. He discusses the remarkable 75% reduction in shootings his community has achieved, the challenges of working with heavily armed teenagers who trust him enough to call at 3 AM, and the success stories like a former mentee who went from near-death experiences to directing his own organization.

Aaron explains how the Latino community's unique dynamics differ from other neighborhoods, the importance of having "roots in the ground" rather than just "boots on the ground," and how the SC2 initiative has expanded their team from 6 to over 30 staff members. Through candid discussions about trauma, the peacekeeper program, and the ongoing struggle to get local businesses to invest in their own community's youth, Aaron demonstrates how authentic love and consistent presence can transform lives in one of Chicago's most vibrant yet challenged neighborhoods.

In this episode of License to Operate, hosts Kanoya Ali and Peter Cunningham sit down with former Chicago Police Sergeant Vivian Williams about her transformative 30-year career serving the same South Side community where she lived and raised her children. Vivian shares her philosophy of policing with dignity, the hidden trauma affecting officers, and how authentic community relationships can break cycles of violence. From paying a family's rent to prevent eviction to facilitating historic peace treaties between rival gangs, Williams demonstrates what community policing can look like when officers truly care. She discusses the evolution of police training post-George Floyd, the mental health crisis among law enforcement, and her current work with Chicago CRED helping young people choose different paths.

In this episode of License to Operate, hosts Kanoya Ali and Peter Cunningham sit down with Sadiq Ali, co-founder of Muslimatic University and owner of Baahir Imports. After converting to Islam in 2005 following his own journey through gang life, Sadiq has become a transformative force in Chicago's most dangerous neighborhoods, including O-Block. With over 700 new Muslim converts in the past 18 months, his grassroots movement is creating unprecedented change among at-risk youth. This conversation explores how Islamic principles of peace, forgiveness, and brotherhood are breaking cycles of retaliation, turning former enemies into spiritual brothers, and contributing to Chicago's significant reduction in gun violence. Sadiq's authentic, non-missionary approach demonstrates how faith-based intervention can serve as a powerful tool in community violence prevention.