North Columbia Youth Empowerment Initiative announces grand finale of 2024 “Be Safe Block Party” Summer Series
September 16, 2024
The North Columbia Youth Empowerment Initiative (NCYEI) has announced the grand finale of the fifth annual “Be Safe Block Party” Summer Series, themed “Peace Champs,” on Friday, September 20, 2024, from 2-5 p.m.
This finale wraps up the successful summer series program, which was in partnership with the Columbia Police Department, the City of Columbia and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. The community events were designed as a series to bring neighborhood residents together with local police officers and vendors for evenings of summer fun.
The grand finale will be held at KM Bellfield/Booker Washington Heights Cultural Arts Center at 2611 Grant Street. The event will feature live music, food, games, resources and more. The series kicked off in June and ran through September, with the goal of promoting unity and celebrating the community.
Erica Staley, the Columbia Compass Program Manager and Serve & Connect team member, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “The ‘Be Safe Block Party’ Summer Series has been an incredible success in fostering community engagement and promoting safety. We’ve seen a significant increase in positive interactions between residents and law enforcement, and we’re happy to finish the series with this grand finale celebration.”
Staley also extended her appreciation to the Columbia Police Department, the City of Columbia and the Richland Sheriff’s Department for their support, saying, “We couldn’t have had a successful summer program without the invaluable contributions of our partners. Their dedication and partnership to engage with the community and embrace our mission allowed us to continue the work we do with NCYEI.”
The “Be Safe Block Party” Summer Series is one of several events and initiatives implemented by NCYEI and funded through a federal grant from the Department of Justice, the BJA FY 21 Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program (BCJI) (O-BJA-2021-94001). The BCJI Program supports the Department of Justice’s priorities to reduce serious and violent crime, including gun violence, dismantle gang activity, and strengthen local capacity to combat drug abuse. The grant funds a 3-year, strategic, community-driven approach to gun violence reduction in Columbia’s 29203 zip code, which accounts for nearly 50% of all person-hit shootings in the city.
As an extension of Serve & Connect, NYCEI continues the nonprofit’s mission of collaboration and connectedness among groups that are already making a difference in the lives of North Columbia’s neighborhood children.
About NCYEI
North Columbia Youth Empowerment Initiative (NCYEI) is a movement focused on creating a community where youth can thrive. Founded in 2018, it is driven by diverse community partners working together toward a common goal of infusing resources, building relationships and lifting up local leaders and their vision for positive change. The movement is driven by their love of community, love for the residents, and a commitment to advocate and ignite change for safer outcomes for all.
