2024 Convening

October 2-4, 2024
Seattle, WA

Join Us This Year

Cities United's Annual Convening is the gathering place for all of us working to affect the lives of those most impacted by gun violence. We attract leaders from across the country, uniting under the goal of making the lives of Black men and boys and their families safe, healthy, and hopeful. Our three days together are full of learning, sharing, growing, and collaborating. Join us this year as we work to equip cities with the necessary tools to move from learning to leading.‍

site visits

Site visits are a vital part of our convening, they allow our network members to dive deeper into our host city and connect with local community-based partners leading the work. Atlanta has so many community partners working to create safe, healthy and hopeful communities, and we've curated a diverse group that touches every corner of the ecosystem. Check out each of the five sites for a deeper understanding and an opportunity to engage.

Center for Civic Innovation

Website

The Center for Civic Innovation (CCI) mission is to inform and strengthen local public policy in Atlanta by improving public engagement and investing in community-designed interventions. During this site visit, participants will learn more about CCI's unique, equity-centered model, as they engage with our community of leaders (or good troublemakers, as we like to call them).

Policing Alternatives & Diversion (PAD) Initiative

Website

PAD is a nationally recognized non-profit that dispatches community first responders to address common quality-of-life concerns in Atlanta. Our mission is to reduce arrest and incarceration for people experiencing extreme poverty, problematic substance use, or unmet mental health needs, and increase the accessibility of supportive services in Atlanta and Fulton County.

The IVYY Project at Grady

Website

The IVYY Project is a hospital based violence intervention at Grady Hospital. The IVYY Project aims to address the cycle of violence by offering comprehensive support and resources to people who have been affected by violence at Atlanta’s only Level 1 Trauma Center.

Helping Empower Youth! (HEY!) Atlanta

Website

Helping Empower Youth provides essential services to Black youth in Atlanta. By ensuring basic human needs are met, the opportunities for academic and economic opportunity and mobility abound. Utilizing STE(A)M and entrepreneurial endeavors, youth gain critical thinking and soft skills while earning income and learning how to scale businesses.‍

City of Refuge

Website

In 2003, after months of searching for a facility, City of Refuge was miraculously donated a sprawling warehouse complex in the heart of 30314, and opened its doors to the community. From this new hub, the community began to seek more than food and shelter. They asked City of Refuge for help getting into recovery centers, to serve as advocates in court, and for job training and vocational skills. When they asked City of Refuge for something it could not provide, City of Refuge collaborated with other organizations that could. ‍

FAQs

where + when is the convening?

This year's convening will be held from Wednesday, October 2nd-4th in Seattle, Washington. Our host hotel is the Hyatt Regency Seattle.

When should i plan to arrive?

We are encouraging attendees to plan to arrive on Tuesday, October 1st and depart on Friday, October 4th. This will allow you to maximize the learning, experiential, and networking opportunities.

how much is registration?

The $50 discount for Early bird pricing is available until August 1st. Registration for this year's convening is $250 for general conference attendees. Young Leaders (attendees under 24) registration will cost $150.

This ticket grants access to the complete programming of our 11th Annual Convening to include Plenary and Breakout Sessions, Vendor Showcase, Site Visits, Networking Events, and Sneaker Ball.

What if i want to just attend the sneaker ball?

Tickets for the Sneaker Ball and Awards Ceremony are available for $75. This is a great way to celebrate our work and time together for those who may not be available for the full slate of programming.

what costs am i responsible for?

All registered attendees and speakers are provided lunch for conference days and dinner on Thursday for the Sneaker Ball and Awards Ceremony. Attendees can reserve a room at the conference hotel at a special rate, subject to availability. Please note that participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, per diem, and any additional expenses incurred while attending the event.

What are my payment options?

For registration costs, you may pay via credit/debit card, ACH transfer, or digital wallet (Apple Pay and Google Pay). For groups of 5 or more, we can produce an invoice. Please submit inquiries about invoicing to https://wkf.ms/3VjYzxX.

What are my REFUND options?

In our ongoing commitment to satisfaction and excellence, we offer a straightforward refund policy. We can offer refunds for registrations until September 1st. Please send inquiries about refunds to info@citiesunited.org.

who do I contact with questions?

For any logistical inquiries regarding the conference not covered in the FAQ, kindly contact info@citiesunited.org and our team will gladly provide assistance.