Submitted by BW4PC
During October 2023, the 12th Annual Month of Non-Violence, Families, Voter Rights and Opportunities, will take place in twenty (20) states across America. This year the focus is on promoting “Peace Circles,” that teach young people and adults how to improve communications, resolve differences and ways to de-escalate fighting and violence. The effort to expand Restorative Peace Circles, is organized by Black Women for Positive Change, (BW4PC) along with Good Brothers, Millennials and GenZs.
“During the Month of Non-Violence in October 2023, we are reaching out to schools and educational institutions to organize “Restorative Justice Peace Circles.” We must teach youth and adults how to change their personal, family and community cultures, so violence can be avoided,” stated Dr. Stephanie Myers and Honorable Daun S. Hester, National Co-Chairs, Black Women for Positive Change. The Co-Chairs continued, “We have worked for twelve years with government leaders, civic leaders, faith leaders, educators, and the business sector, to put a priority on violence prevention and to promote de-escalation of violence. We, the people of all backgrounds, races and religions, must find ways to stop the growing epidemic of mass shootings and individual violence.”
The Peace Circles Committee is led by Professor Renata Valree, of Peace in Education, in California, and Kimberly Best, CEO, Best Conflict Solutions LLC, in Tennessee. Dr. Valree and Ms. Best stated, “We are aware that effective Peace Circles are used by Educators in many cities and states. We invite school superintendents, principals, and teachers to expand this effort by organizing Peace Circles at their schools. School districts and educators can sign up at www.monthofnonviolence.org. Individuals and groups who sign up will receive free Peace Circles Tool Kits. We will also connect those interested in receiving advance training through a National Association for Community Mediation, local community mediation center.”
Co-sponsors of the 12th Annual Month of Non-Violence, Families, Voters Rights and Opportunities, and the Peace Circles initiative are National Black Nurses Association, Peace in Education, Best Conflict Solutions, National Association for Community Mediation, 100 Fathers Inc., Everytown for Gun Safety, Trusted Inc., Preeclampsia Foundation and Positive Change Foundation.
