I am because we are. That is what the word Ubuntu means. We are all deeply interconnected, and our well-being as individuals is directly tied to our well-being as a community.

In New Orleans, where the legacies of disinvestment and discrimination have left deep scars, Ubuntu Village is carving out a new path toward healing, safety and justice. With a mission to reform Louisiana’s criminal justice system and uplift economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, this Black-led, community-centered nonprofit supports and builds power with those most impacted by systemic racism, violence and incarceration.

“Communities can help heal themselves when equipped with the right tools and resources,” said Ubuntu Village Director and co-Founder Ernest Johnson. “At Ubuntu Village, instead of replicating systems of oppression, we keep us safe by mediating conflicts in our neighborhoods, directly supporting families, and creating spaces for healing and mutual support.”

At the heart of Ubuntu Village’s work is the understanding that the persistent cycles of violence in these communities cannot be separated from the broader landscape of inequity. Structural racism, limited employment opportunities, substandard housing and health disparities have long stifled the health and well-being of New Orleans’ Black residents. These realities weigh heavily on Ubuntu Village as its team of parents, young people and community members strive to break down the systemic barriers that perpetuate violence and poverty.

Central to Ubuntu Village’s vision is its NOLA Peace Ambassadors program, an initiative that employs violence interrupters — individuals with lived experience who work on the front lines of their communities to mediate conflicts and prevent violent escalation.

Credibility is one of the most essential elements needed to build trust and engage those who feel alienated by traditional systems of policing and justice, Johnson said.

Johnson noted that the deep-seated mistrust many community members feel toward external interventions—rooted in a long history of systemic neglect— can be difficult to overcome.

“But by using credible messengers from within the community, we can build bridges. These violence interrupters are not only equipped with conflict resolution skills and restorative justice training but also understand the complex territorial dynamics that characterize life in many of our neighborhoods,” Johnson said.

Yet, Ubuntu Village’s approach goes beyond conflict mediation. The organization is helping to build a comprehensive ecosystem of care by serving as the lead community-based organization for the Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program at University Medical Center’s Trauma Recovery Center, along with partners that include the Seeds of NOLA Trauma Recovery Center and the New Orleans Health Department’s Office of Violence Prevention.

By offering trauma-informed care, educational outreach and culturally responsive support, Ubuntu Village seeks to address not only the immediate threat of violence but also the underlying factors that fuel it: chronic stress, unresolved trauma and socioeconomic instability.

Grant details

• Grantee: Ubuntu Village NOLA
• Location: New Orleans
• Program: Health and American Cities
• Grant amount: $175,000
• Year: 2024
• Purpose: This grant supports Ubuntu’s trauma-informed education, training, outreach and advocacy programs that help residents impacted by violence.

For Ubuntu Village, tackling violence is more than just putting out fires—it’s about creating long-term, sustainable change. That’s why the nonprofit places such a heavy emphasis on its partnerships with local institutions. By working alongside Tulane University’s Violence Prevention Institute, Vera Institute of Justice and other key players, Ubuntu Village leverages research and data to inform its strategy. Together, they are building a network of community leaders, cultural bearers and organizations that address violence as a public health issue.

The stakes are high. New Orleans is a city where, according to the 2022-2025 New Orleans Health Department’s Community Health Improvement Plan, homicide is the leading cause of injury for children ages 1 to 14, and nearly 90% of all murders involve firearms. Moreover, 65% of residents describe their city as unsafe. These statistics speak to the urgent need for programs like Ubuntu Village’s, which is stepping into a gap left by decades of disinvestment and neglect.

By framing violence as a public health issue, the organization is paving the way for a new kind of intervention—one that connects violence reduction to health equity, economic mobility and mental wellness. The organization’s work with partners like the Trauma Recovery Center highlights the importance of treating trauma as both an individual and community issue. Through risk reduction strategies and referrals for housing assistance, employment support, and mental health services, Ubuntu Village is offering pathways out of violence that prioritize healing over punishment.

As Ubuntu Village continues to expand its work, one of its goals is to create a culturally responsive system of care—one that acknowledges the unique needs and histories of Black and Indigenous communities. Through its outreach efforts, the organization is fostering a culture of dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution, building trust within the neighborhoods it serves. And by involving local residents in decision-making, Ubuntu Village ensures that the solutions it creates are tailored to the aspirations and realities of the people who live there.