The Ballin’ for Peace Organization helped Los Angeles County evolve from one of the most violent big cities into one of the safest large metropolitan centers in the nation. In 2008, Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa proudly announced that gang homicides in his city fell nearly 40% in 2007.
Click To Read Award
During a Los Angeles Clippers Game at Staples Center in 2009, members of the Ballin’ for Peace Organization received a Certificate of Appreciation from Mayor Villaraigosa for their exemplary work, and positive activity that has helped to reduce serious gang violence in LA.
A nonprofit community organization
We host programs for people of all ages. However, one of our main initiatives on violence prevention aims to improve the life outcomes of people, particularly youth, from underprivileged backgrounds.
Our Los Angeles events take place in various locations. Most have been in high crime areas where youth are at higher risk for mischief that may escalate to delinquency and full-fledged gang activity. We bring a mixture of sports and music which created a powerful force that left a positive impact on the participants.
We believe that people surrounded by violence deserve to have experiences that celebrate the positive, nonviolent qualities of the human condition. We think that teaching them concrete steps for living a peaceful life is a powerful proactive step toward breaking the inter-generational cycle of poverty, fragmented families, and unhealthy behaviors.
To promote unity in the community, we host basketball tournaments, musical concerts, and other live performances for people of all ages. However, one of our main initiatives on violence prevention aims to improve the life outcomes of people, particularly youth, from underprivileged backgrounds. During all of our public programs, our staff and partner organizations provide onsite educational, employment, health, violence prevention, and other life skills information or services to people at the event venue.
Our Los Angeles events take place at various locales, sometimes in high crime areas where youth are at higher risk for mischief that may escalate to delinquency and full-fledged gang activity. Sports and music are a powerful force that positively impact youth and in many cases deter them from embarking on a life of crime.
Ballin’ for Peace Community Empowerment Day / Celebrity Basketball Game
Our annual flagship event is held at Venice Beach or a similar locale.
The centerpiece of this event is our legendary Celebrity Basketball Game, featuring a roster of positive role models:
• Current and former NBA players
• Street ball legends (and original street ball music makers)
• Influential communities leaders
• Entertainers — actors, musicians, performing artists
This pivotal event is not, however, about outward glitz and glamour. But it is about discovering, or rediscovering, the hope, joy, and motivation within to overcome obstacles, even in the face of mounting challenges.
The Celebrity Basketball Game Event also features entertainment and educational programs that support our core initiatives to increase inner and outer peace. Our exhibits, presentations, and workshops are filled with exciting and doable step-by-step strategies for building self-esteem, increasing optimism, and developing authentic confidence. These character traits are essential for dealing with the pressures of today’s fast-paced world. This event marks a special time when people feel more connected with each other in a positive setting that nurtures mutual respect. Here, they can let go of hostile attitudes and harmful behaviors.
