September 25-26
Chicago, IL
Strides for Peace 2026 National Gun Violence Prevention Expo
September 26
National Youth Expo at Gary Comer Youth Center
Prosperity Through Collaboration
The 2026 Strides for Peace Gun Violence Prevention Expo has gone national! Now in its 4th Year, the Expo will foster, celebrate, and promote collective action and community-driven solutions to end gun violence by convening organizations, advocates, and change makers.
Resource providers, civic partners, public officials, community organizations, and more from across the nation will join to create a wide-spanning network in the mission to end gun violence.
High School scholar-specific expo programming will take place at Gary Comer Youth Center on September 26th. RSVP Scholars
50+ Speakers
10+ Thought-Provoking Conversations
Mini Film & Play Festival
Artist Expo
Marketplace & Resource Fair
Race Against Gun Violence Host Cities Dance Off
Prosperity through Collaboration
This Year’s Theme
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Engagements highlight leadership development, organizational wellness, life-changing mentorship, women in violence prevention, and the work of formerly incarcerated leaders.
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Brainstorming the future of community violence intervention through field-building, emerging research, the role of AI and technology, and strategies for building connected ecosystems that strengthen collaboration, innovation, and long-term outcomes.
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Exploring innovative financing strategies, including public and private-sector partnerships, collaborative funding models, and the role of government in community institutions.
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Building community within the work, including approaching cross-sector programming with a deep commitment to collaboration and overcoming obstacles to thrive.
A Weekend of Collaboration, Community & Content
Over the course of two full days, you will meet and hear from the people who are on the front lines on combatting gun violence in Chicago, Philadelphia, NYC, Los Angeles and beyond.
Connect with Thought Leaders Changing Our World
This is our first year inviting leaders from across the nation to collaborate on solutions to improve community violence intervention and prevent gun violence. Join us to get the intel you need to drive changes in policy, business, community and society to prevent gun violence from ravaging our communities and negatively impacting lives.
Panel Conversations. Fireside Chats. Artist Expo. Community Info Exchange. Marketplace.
Day One
Friday, September 25
Day Two
Saturday, September 26
National Youth Expo at GCYC
Saturday, September 26
Dance-Off at Gary Comer Youth Center
Saturday, September 26
Get Ready To Be Enlightened
Meet Our 2026 Thought Leaders
Mini Film & Play Festival
Reel Stories, Real Vision
Strides For Peace proudly presents a mini showcase Reel Stories, Real Vision of culturally significant films that speak to the heart of community violence intervention and gun violence prevention. This event will include select clips of several highly acclaimed documentaries and films followed by an intimate discussion with some award-winning filmmakers. This event is guaranteed to leave audiences inspired to do more.
The Perfect Neighbor, Takema Robinson
Licensed To Operate – Violence Interrupted, Chris Patterson
Nothing to See Here: Watts, Michael Soenen
The Weight of Forgiveness, Play by Leon Ford
The Credible Messenger, Dr. Chico Tillmon