By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com
Back in 2017, a group of community leaders came together to address escalating gun violence in the city of Baltimore. They wanted to deter violence and bloodshed and instead inspire peace and fellowship amongst residents. Thus, the Baltimore Peace Movement, formerly Baltimore Ceasefire, was born.
Under the organization, founding members Erricka Bridgeford, Letrice Grant, Ogun Gordy, Jakia Jason, Michelle Shellers and Darnyle Wharton organized ceasefire weekends that called for 72 hours of peace. The first observance took place in August 2017. Since then, Peace Promise Weekends have been held quarterly each year.
“The premise of it was to have so many events happening in the city that were advocating peace, happiness and love that nobody would want to do anything violent,” said Wharton. “Instead of just telling people to put down the guns, we wanted people to be able to be around people of like minds and like hearts.”
Baltimore Peace Movement collaborated with other nonprofits and community leaders to fill the Peace Promise Weekends with events, like barbecues, basketball tournaments and marches. The organization’s name was changed a couple years ago to pull focus away from the murders in the city and put emphasis on the power and promise of peace.
Over the years, a partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools has blossomed, with schools like Creative City Public Charter School becoming officially known as“Peace Movement” locations. This designation means that the institution commits itself to holding events for students and the community during Peace Promise Weekends. It’s also grown its ambassador program to enable more individuals to hold gatherings during the weekends. This year, the Baltimore Peace Movement intends to forge relationships with local churches to put on their own peace events and promote peace to their congregation.
In recent years, Baltimore has seen a reduction in gun violence. In 2023, it experienced a 20 percent drop in homicides, and in 2024 it experienced a 23 percent decrease. This marked the lowest levels of homicides since 2015. Wharton applauded the work of local government to achieve this, but he also stressed the importance of recognizing Baltimoreans themselves.
“It’s the community of people who chose to be peaceful. You can have all the crime plans and do all of the prosecutions that you want, and that’s a great thing,” said Wharton. “But, if the people are not going to be peaceful, you’re going to continue to get violence.”
See below for a snapshot of the events happening during Baltimore Peace Movement’s February Peace Promise Weekend:
Peace Movement Opening Rally
Hosted by Brigit Molony and Lynijah Forman, this event will kick off Baltimore Peace Movement’s first Peace Promise Weekend of 2025 in West Baltimore. Community members are invited to join the Baltimore Peace Movement squad and ambassadors to celebrate positivity and promote peace in the city.
Date: Feb. 7
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Mt. Holly and Edmondson Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21229
Sacred Space Ritual for Brian Reed
Sacred Space Rituals exist to pour love and light into a place where violence resulted in a loss of life. Brian Reed, 59, died by gun violence on Jan. 18, 2025. Community members are invited to celebrate his life and his transition in Northwest Baltimore.
Date: Feb. 8
Time: 11:09 a.m. – 11:39 a.m.
Location: 5600 Groveland Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21215
Sacred Space Ritual for Richie Briggs
Richie Briggs, 36, died by gun violence on Jan. 9, 2025. Community members are invited to memorialize the life of Briggs and support his loved ones in Northeast Baltimore.
Date: Feb. 8
Time: 2:40 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.
Location: 5900 Daywalt Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21206
“The Body Politic” Film Viewing and Discussion
This documentary, made by Baltimore director Gabriel Francis Paz Goodenough, follows Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott during his first year in office. It depicts Scott’s efforts to implement a new violence reduction plan to combat escalating gun violence in the city. Community members are invited to watch the film and discuss it on Zoom.
Date: Feb. 9
Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Hosted by Baltimore Community Mediation Center virtually
For a Zoom link to watch the film, please visit https://baltimorepeacemovement.com/calendar and click on details listed for the Feb. 9 event, “The Body Politic Film Viewing and Discussion.”
Zoom Meeting ID: 898 0016 5947
Zoom Passcode: 625504
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