You can help support efforts to prevent violence and encourage conflict resolution in Cleveland by signing up for the Choose Peace 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, October 21st at Edgewater Park.
The event will include a talk by Sammy Rangel, co-founder of the nonprofit Life After Hate. Cost is $25, and proceeds support Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance, a nonprofit working to reduce violence and keep young people out of gangs. You can sign up on line by visiting Races for Peace and clicking ‘Find a Race Today!’
For more information, send email to info@racesforpeace.org.
Registration packet pickup begins at 8:00 a.m., and the race will start at 9:30 a.m.
Choose Peace 5k Run/Walk highlights will include:
- A run/walk along the scenic lakefront park, which is part of the Cleveland Metroparks system;
- An address by guest speaker Rangel, who will relay his personal story of tragedy and facing the violence and pain he caused others during his time as a gang leader. Rangel’s life is now devoted to promoting peace and helping others leave lives of hate and violence. He works as a life coach, founded Formers Anonymous, is executive director of Life After Hate and is a leader in Against Violent Extremism. His TEDx Danubia talk on “The Power of Forgiveness” and the book he authored titled, “Fourbears: The Myths of Forgiveness,” highlight his path and share insights for change and recovery.
- A brief ceremony honoring Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Chief Andrés González with the Protector of the Peace Award for CMHA’s Police Assisted Referral program, in which social service agencies are immediately brought in to intercede in domestic disputes.
The event is sponsored by the nonprofit Races for Peace, which was founded in the wake of the 2015 massacre of nine innocent worshipers at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. The organization sponsors races, educational events and programs that promote the idea that peace is more powerful than hate.
“We are so excited to be able to bring this race to Cleveland,” said Leigh Giles-Brown, president and founder of Races for Peace. “We think peace is a conscious choice. Every man, woman, and child can choose peace regardless of race, religion, self-identity, or gender.”
Sharyna Cloud, director of Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance, called the race “a great opportunity for our community to come together and support efforts to reduce violence.”
The Peacemakers Alliance, which employs outreach workers and violence interrupters, is a subsidiary of Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland.
