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Solving the problem of violence on our streets is possible. But it will take ALL of us working together to bring peace to our neighborhoods. We had an overwhelming response to our call for community-led vigils. And then nearly 2000 people came out for vigils and a simultaneous moment of silence.
In a five day period in early February, 13 shootings claimed eight lives, bringing the homicide rate to 21 deaths in the first 42 days of 2008. In response, Silence the Violence held an emergency vigil to bring a message of hope and peace to the streets of Oakland. Almost 200 people turned out to show their concern, sadness and resolve to end the violence. KTVU Channel 2 News ran a segment that evening and, a week later, the Oakland Tribune printed our op-ed promoting solutions to violence. We've put together our photos and a video of the event.
Youth from Oakland, Richmond, and Berkeley came together for Turf Unity II, transforming the Ella Baker Center into a music studio for a weekend. They worked across neighborhood lines to write, record, and produce a complete album with a message of peace. "It's getting people to think differently about what's happening with the homicides," said Nicole Lee, director of Silence the Violence. Both KTVU Fox 2 and the Oakland Tribune picked up the story.
 
The world premiere of the documentary film "GRIND & GLORY: From the Streets to the Stage" played to sold out crowds on Nov. 7th.
Deeply inspiring, Grind & Glory highlights young rappers who use their talent and music to express  the issues they face in their lives and in their communities, and to spread a message of peace through their music. A few of our very own Silence The Violence Block Ambassadors are featured in the film!
[View the Film Trailer]
Since early 2007, a committed group of youth and young adults have been taking part in a leadership training track of Silence The Violence called the "Block Ambassadors". They have received training to become advocates for peace in their communities and all over Oakland. Block Ambassadors learn everything from conflict resolution, the history of Oakland to life skills like money management. Their efforts are bringing a message to their peers about how to create a vision of unity and optimism for Oakland and steering clear of from violence.
The Silence the Violence A's Game was a huge success. With Mayor Dellums and Mistah FAB on the big screen, and lots of media in attendance, we raised the issue of violence prevention in Oakland to a new level. We'd like to extend a huge thanks to the Mayor's Office and the A's for their support. And we'd like to thank you, our community, for helping to make the game such a success.
Silence the Violence has been awarded a coveted spot on the San Francisco Bay Guardian 2007 Best of the Bay list! The campaign was named "Best Turf Unity" for creatively speaking out for more youth programs, producing chart-topping music albums and giving Oakland youth a chance to make a difference.
It's time to unite the Bay Area with the promise of peace. Join one of our candlelight vigils in Oakland or San Francisco, and stand with your neighbors to demonstrate your personal commitment to Silencing the Violence.
Uniting Neighborhoods Through Music
 Silence the Violence and Cov House Records teamed up to host an all-weekend music production training for young artists from all over Oakland. The artists spent the time making music with the themes "Silence the Violence" and "Turf Unity."
On the morning of Saturday, May 12 — the day before Mother's Day — 100 people came together for "Mothers Morning/Mourning," a beautiful event that inspired hope for a future Oakland without violence..
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Sweets Ballroom and performing artist Mistah FAB welcomed more than 700 young people for the first in a series of exclusive "Silence the Violence" parties.
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A recent San Francisco Chronicle article examined Oakland's "hyphy movement" and how groups like Ella Baker Center are inspiring young people to turn away from violence through music. Our Political Director Nicole Lee talks at length about the lineage of political hip-hop, and how what's happening in Oakland is about "vitality and life" for youth trying to win peace on the streets.
The first track from our CD collaboration with United Playaz is out! Make It Thru, featuring Goapele, Mistah FAB, Mac Mall, B-Legit and Clyde Carson, was a featured single on KMEL, one of our key Silence the Violence partners.
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