What
We Do

Building relationships and reimagining public safety

A man wearing glasses and and tie about to speak with a woman sitting next to him at a table inside.

A woman wearing glasses looking to the right.

A unique approach to violence reduction

Since 2011, Cities United has been a leader in advocating for holistic approaches to gun violence. By working closely with stakeholders at every level, we are working to end the epidemic of shootings and homicides among young Black men and boys.

A women sitting at conference table in between two men, one is Anthony Smith.

Cities United is a connector, a facilitator, and an incubator of meaningful long-term change. We are building a movement of cities, community organizations, public safety advocates, and young leaders to create safe, healthy, and hopeful communities.

SAFE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE FREE OF FEAR.

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
WHERE FAMILY AND SOCIAL TIES ARE STRONG.

HOPEFUL COMMUNITIES WHERE OPPORTUNITY IS THE NORM.

Executive Director Anthony Smith giving a speech at a podium with a group of Police officers and city officials standing behind him.

A young boy and girl at school seated at a table writing on pieces of paper

Doing this work requires a comprehensive, long-term approach that can help cities interrupt violence, dismantle systems of inequity, and invest in communities.

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Over years of experimentation and exploration, we have developed two frameworks to help cities achieve these outcomes: Reimagining Public Safety, which highlights 15 specific, evidence-backed solutions that cities can adopt, and the Roadmap to Safe, Healthy, and Hopeful Communities, which helps each city create a customized and sustainable action plan for implementing those solutions.

A man wearing a tie signs a Partner City Pledge

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We believe that this ambitious, holistic, and collaborative approach is the best way to create safe, healthy, and hopeful futures for young Black men and boys and their families, and we are committed to seeing it through.

A large group of mayors and city officials standing together

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HOW WE WORK

We focus on four key objectives to advance our mission and support our network

Coaching & Capacity Building

Strengthening collaborative and comprehensive approaches within our partner cities, among elected officials, city leaders, young leaders, and community partners

National Movement & Field Building

Growing, galvanizing, and leading a network of mayors and partners, while developing and sharing innovative approaches and strategies for reimagining public safety and reducing violence

Organizational Capacity

Continuously optimizing our ability to deliver upon our goals through successful partnerships and initiatives

Stewardship

Building and maintaining sustainable funding streams and fiscal approaches

OUR PROGRAMMING

Leading

Roadmap Academy

An annual week-long immersion program where teams from partner cities learn and work side by side, centered on Cities United’s Roadmap to Safe, Healthy, and Hopeful Communities

Elevating

Young Leader Fellowship

An intensive seven-month fellowship for young leaders from partner cities, who engage with mentors, experts, and leaders across the country to build knowledge, skills, and networks

Connecting

Annual Convening

A yearly gathering of hundreds of stakeholders: mayors, city leaders, young leaders, and representatives of community-based, philanthropic, public safety and faith-based organizations

Anchoring

Place-Based Initiatives

Encouraging investment in people, communities, and local government in our own backyard in Louisville, Kentucky

Two women seated at a table working together in front of a laptop.

We’re building a movement

“Sometimes we think we’re doing this work alone, and to be able to connect with a leader from another city that is on the same mission as you, that’s priceless … If Cities United wins, we all win.”