Program Overview

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Introduction to the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy

The Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy is designed to deepen the leadership and management practices of senior Community Violence Intervention (CVI) leaders. This executive leadership education program aims to strengthen organizations that work to reduce violence, providing leaders with hands-on training in program management, staff development and retention, data literacy, evaluation, and more.

Program Overview

The Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA) is a first-of-its-kind education program that provides senior CVI leaders with five months of hands-on education. The program's purpose is to achieve two interconnected goals: reducing gun violence and scaling the CVI field. The CVILA supports participants in achieving these goals by strengthening their leadership and management skills, expanding their networks, and supporting them in their efforts to elevate and advocate for the CVI field.

Program Benefits

• A 5-month CVI executive leadership development and management certificate program.
• 1 week per month of in-person learning; travel required.
• Instruction delivered by university faculty, non-profit, public sector, and private sector leaders.
• Learning alongside a national network of CVI leaders.
• Access to mentors and executive coaches to guide your personal development and organizational growth.
• Participation is free for those selected; the full cost of the program, including travel and tuition expenses, will be covered by the University of Chicago.

Eligibility Criteria

• Minimum five years of experience in the field of CVI.
• Currently hold a senior or executive-level position within a community-based CVI organization that serves Black and Brown Communities disproportionately impacted by gun violence.
• While there is no minimum educational level requirement, candidates must demonstrate a high degree of motivation and interest in enhancing their leadership skills and the impact of their work.
• Demonstrated experience implementing CVI strategies in alignment with the values and principles embraced by the CVI Academy.
• Commitment of support from current place of employment. It is preferred that candidates come from an organization with an annual budget of at least $300,000 and a minimum of three employees.

Program Modules

• Personal & Organizational Leadership
• Strategic Decision Making
• Building Healthy Communities
• Community Engagement and Advocacy
• Graduation + Capstone Presentations

Project Leads

• Jvani Cabiness, Chief of Staff, Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy
• Rodrigo Canales, Kelli Questrom Associate Professor of Management and Organizations Academic Director, Social Impact Program, Questrom School of Business
• Alesisia Cobb, Program Manager, Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy
• Kim Smith, Director of National Programs and External Engagement
• Chico Tillmon, Executive Director, Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy

Steering Committee

A team of key community violence intervention leaders from across the country serve on the CVILA Steering Committee. Members include:

• Dr. Shani Buggs, Assistant Professor, Violence Prevention Research Program, University of California Davis
• Dr. Antonio Cediel, Special Advisor, Live Free USA
• Erica Ford, Founder, LIFE Camp
• Amber Goodwin, Founder, Community Justice
• Greg Jackson, President, Rocket Foundation
• Marcus McAllister, McAllister Consultancy and Training
• Pastor Michael McBride, Executive Director, Live Free USA
• Oresa Napper-Williams, Executive Director, Not Another Child
• Anthony Smith, Executive Director, Cities United
• Dr. Chico Tillmon, Executive Director of the CVILA, University of Chicago Crime Lab

Years Active

2022 – present

Topics

• Community Violence Intervention
• Gun Violence

Capstone

The CVILA’s five-month curriculum culminates in a community capstone project to turn lessons learned into saving lives.