Urban Peace Institute

Founded by civil rights leader Connie Rice, Urban Peace Institute (UPI) is dedicated to combatting community violence, reforming the criminal justice system, and forging relationships between Los Angeles law enforcement and community members. In 2007, UPI published a revolutionary "Call to Action" report, which, in conjunction with continuous advocacy efforts, sparked the development of programs such as the Mayor's Gang Reduction & Youth Development Office and Summer Night Lights.

Additionally, UPI's Urban Peace Academy has trained more than 4,700 gang intervention workers, public sector leaders, law enforcement agency members, and community residents in public health strategies aimed at reducing violence and improving the ways in which the city handles gangs and poverty. UPI's strategies have been adopted in more than 20 cities across the United States, and have yielded impressive, tangible results. With a wide net of programs and partnerships, UPI works tirelessly to make Los Angeles a safer and more equitable city.