Greenville Hosts Community Dialogue on Violence Prevention and Youth Empowerment

Greenville, Miss. — City leaders, youth, and residents gathered Friday at the Greenville Higher Education Center for a community dialogue focused on reducing street violence and promoting peace. The event, hosted by the Book and Street Smart (B.A.S.S.) Organization and co-sponsored by the Mayor’s Youth Council, aimed to foster open conversations about conflict resolution, mentorship, accountability, and healing.

Mayor Errick D. Simmons emphasized the importance of involving young people in efforts to improve community safety. “We cannot build safer streets without having courageous conversations with the people who know our streets,” he said. “Our young people deserve more than warnings about violence. They deserve wisdom, mentorship, opportunity, and hope.”

The event featured speakers including Yahya Hersey, Wayne Robert Edwards, John “China Joe” Lofton, and Saletheo Perez, who shared experiences and perspectives to inspire and empower attendees. Perez, executive director of B.A.S.S., highlighted the need to restore community values and create pathways to peace through education and honest dialogue.

City officials praised the initiative as a vital step toward community-driven solutions to violence. The free event took place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and aimed to turn conversations into lasting change, emphasizing youth involvement and civic engagement.

Greenville officials and residents are hopeful that these discussions will lead to meaningful improvements in public safety and community cohesion in the area.

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