Leon Ford is an Entrepreneur-In-Residence for Bronze Investments; an Aspen Institute Civil Society Fellow; an internationally-known speaker, author, activist, and mental health ambassador; and a tireless advocate for social change. He was 19 years old when he was rendered paraplegic after being shot five times by a police officer during a traffic stop that arose from a case of mistaken identity. Through a powerful combination of faith and personal fortitude, Ford has become a leader in national efforts to heal and strengthen communities—efforts that began with forging personal relationships of respect and empathy with police officers. Ford has worked with police on cultural competency and policing reform; has worked with legislators to modify use of force laws; and conducts trainings in community healing, social justice, and empowerment for students from elementary school through University level. Ford’s latest university partnership, with Duquesne University, is a program known as “The Voices Project,” which provides an open space for students, faculty and community members to discuss a broad range of social justice issues.
Ford speaks internationally on issues of policing reform and community reconciliation, participating on US and BBC television and radio programs, TEDx presentations, and he participated in a panel discussion with President Obama, Bryan Stevenson and the late Senator John Lewis.
Ford was a recipient of President Obama’s Volunteer Service Award in 2017; The Root 100 award in 2018, and he was named one of Pittsburgh’s 40 Under 40 in 2019.
The effort to eradicate hate requires the active participation of every component of our society, to include governments, the private sector, communities of faith and indeed every aspect of civil society. There is no more urgent task in front of us. The organizers of the Eradicate Hate Global Summit are doing the United States and the world an enormous service by tackling hatred and extremism with a focus on honest dialogue and conversation, genuine learning and practical solutions. This will not happen overnight, but the Pittsburgh community’s leadership in this effort is genuinely inspiring and motivating.
