Chicago has seen its share of violence, but change is possible when lived experience meets purpose. Nekenya Hardy, once a victim of gun violence, has turned his personal hardship into a force for community healing.
Now the Associate Director of Outreach & Intervention at the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago (INVC), Hardy works as a “violence interrupter,” stepping into conflicts before they escalate and offering mentorship to at-risk youth. His efforts have directly mediated over 1,000 conflicts in Chicago’s Austin and West Garfield Park neighborhoods.
In 2025, Hardy received the Illinois Peace Portrait Award, recognizing his tireless work in fostering safer, more resilient communities. Beyond mediation, he supports job training and mentorship programs, helping young people build skills and opportunities away from the streets.
Takeaway: Hardy’s story reminds us that transformation is possible — personal pain can be channeled into leadership, service, and systemic change that uplifts entire communities.
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