PEDAL for PEACE CYCLING EVENT AIMS TO BREAK CYCLES OF VIOLENCE IN BLACK COMMUNITY
Anti-Violence Ventures resumes its social-intervention, Brothers Can We Talk, series
You had to have been there! The brothers at Anti-Violence Ventures (AVV) resumed their Brothers Can We Talk series with Pedal for Peace, a community cycling event organized to sustain vital, pressing, and exploratory conversations with Black men and boys focused on breaking the cycle of partner, family, and community violence impacting Black people.
With funding support from the California Community Foundation-Trauma Prevention Program, AVV partnered with RIDEWITUS LA and Urban Demand Cycling to organize Pedal for Peace. On Saturday, October 28th, at 7am, riders gathered at the Garden, a community meeting spot managed by Leimert Park retailer, Sole Folks, for the 20-mile, roundtrip trek from Crenshaw to Dockweiler and back.
Led by AVV ambassadors, George Granberry, III, Justin Rhone, and Albert Neal, along with guest speaker James Grisom, the conversation centered on the pursuit of peace in Black neighborhoods and safe passages for community members.
Mr. Grisom, an L.A.-based filmmaker, opened the dialogue by sharing memories of a childhood friend who was murdered in Lynwood, California, in 2018. Grisom, who attended middle and high school with this friend, recalled experiencing a heavy state of grief at the loss. The trauma compelled Grisom to turn tragedy into triumph by funneling his grief into a 20-minute short film called An Eye for an i. Released in 2021, the independent film is currently an exclusive onboard entertainment option for United Airlines customers as part of its Tribeca Film Festival-curated inflight content.
Granberry, lead planner for Pedal for Peace, challenged riders with a probing question. “What is something you personally can start/stop doing today to end violence in your community, intimate relationship, and/or family?” The depth of the question sent riders off with something compelling to think about and discuss as they cycled from Leimert Park toward the Pacific Ocean.
“It’s the kind of question that forces people to reflect on their abilities to hold themselves accountable for their own actions and behaviors,” says Grisom. “It’s about navigating our emotions around our own traumas but doing so in healthier ways.”
Robert Drewery, an L.A. native and member of Urban Demand Cycling, reported feeling charged after participating in the Pedal for Peace event. “I enjoy meeting and talking to people who are of the same accord, meaning they’re about bringing peace to our communities and protecting our kids,” he said.
Asked about his reflections after hearing Granberry’s question, Drewery responded passionately. “I want to do my part with being more present in the community, being vigilant,” he said. “I want to help guide the youth verses being passive or standing by and watching them do something we know they’re not supposed to be doing.”
AVV’s emphasis on communication as the driver of change centers the voices and perspectives of Black men and boys and deepens their commitment to violence-prevention work, as observed by the passion expressed during Pedal for Peace and other community conversations from our Brothers Can We Talk Events.
Don’t miss out on AVV’s next conversation! Follow us at antiviolenceventures.org and via Instagram and Facebook.