The International Council for Urban Peace, Justice and Empowerment (ICUPJE)

mpacted by poverty, and street warfare. The work of the International Council (Formerly the National Council for Urban (Gang) Peace and Justice) began in response to the epidemic of crack cocaine, gang violence, availability of fire arms, and other issues threatening the stability of inner city neighborhoods. The work of the National Council lowered the gang related homicide rates and incidences of gang related violence by as much as 25% in participating cities (F.B.I. Uniform Crime Statistics). Because the promised peace dividends did not materialize, the peace was not sustained. The International Council for Urban Peace, Justice and Empowerment is a collective of over 35 grassroots and community based organizations nationwide that implemented programming models which changed lives, with documented outcomes. These organizations are led by people who have lived in the trenches, have undergone a transformative process in their lives and are firmly committed to this work. We have been engaged in successful partnerships with traditional as well as nontraditional leadership and organization that are often marginalized and excluded when it involves programming and funding support.