Stars Come Out For NYC Peace Week

NEW YORK  - Under the direction of Erica Ford's I Love My LIFE / LIFE Camp organization, Peace Week 2011 will kick off on January 15th with a series of events and activities to promote peace among NYC youth across the five boroughs in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Among those participating include philanthropist Russell Simmons who says, "Peace Week is about each individual being that little shift -- doing that little thing -- that makes a difference in your own LIFE, and about getting people to believe that anything is possible. I am happy to be involved."

On January 19th, high profile celebrities, civic leaders and family members of those impacted by youth violence will host a press conference led by Erica Ford on the steps of City Hall at 11am, to raise public awareness about safety issues among New York City youth who are exposed to the threat of physical assault, random shootings and other forms of violence on a daily basis. 

Peace Week 2010 drew support from Mayor Michael Bloomberg and a host of celebrities, media personalities and record label executives, including: Hollywood Producer / Director Stan Lathan, HOT 97 on-air personalities Angie Martinez and DJ Enuff, Londell McMillan, The Source Magazine, GlobalGrind.com, BET 106 & Park VJ’s Terrence J and Rocsi, Music Industry Powerhouses Kevin Liles, Mike Kyser and Shawn “Pecas” Costner, DJ / Music Producer D-Nice, and AllHipHop.com. Former Governor David Paterson presented Erica Ford and A.T. Mitchell of Man Up, Inc., the founders of this movement, with a proclamation declaring January 15 - 22 as official Peace Week in New York State.  "Peace Week will do so much to give young New Yorkers the tools they need to combat violence" said Mayor Bloomberg. "I commend them for their dedication to reducing violence among New Yorkers."

According to the NYS Comstat police reports in two targeted districts -- East New York Brooklyn, and South Jamaica Queens -- there was no gun violence during Peace Week 2010.  Over 1,000 men across New York City signed up to become volunteer "Peace Keepers," to help reduce youth violence and provide positive male role models for teens and young adults.

Peace Week will expand this year to the cities that have the highest rate of violence across the country, including:  Camden, NJ, Detroit, MI, Compton, CA, Dallas, TX, Chicago, IL, Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, Washington, DC, and Atlanta, GA, to name a few.

Community Organizations participating in Peace Week 2011 include:  Beacon 226Q, CONNECT, Man Up, Inc., National Action Network, Peace Keepers, NYCHA Residents Association Presidents of the following Housing Developments:  Andrew Jackson, Baisley, Highbridge, Melrose, Mitchell & Morisania Air Rights Houses, Slowbucks TV, St. Ann's Anti Violence Coalition, STRONG and Youth Step. 

I Love My LIFE / LIFE Camp Inc. is a non-profit organization founded by Erica Ford, which is dedicated to preventing youth violence in the tri-state area. 

The organization promotes the value of LIFE and enables youth to make critical choices to avoid becoming perpetrators or victims of violence.  I Love My LIFE / LIFE Camp Inc. aims to build partnerships between the public and private sectors to respond collectively, collaboratively and holistically to the issue of youth violence.