ERICA FORD 2022 York College Foundation Gala Alumni Honoree
CEO, LIFE Camp, Inc.

 An internationally-recognized peacemaker, Erica Ford has been at the forefront of reducing youth and community violence in New York City and beyond for over 30 years. In 2002, Ford founded the nonprofit LIFE Camp, Inc., with the vision that Love Ignites Freedom Through Education. The organization provides marginalized youth and young adults with wrap-around support-including intensive case management, mentorship, access to education, employment opportunities, and unconventional therapeutic services-to reduce violence and mitigate contact with the criminal justice system. Through LIFE Camp, Inc.'s groundbreaking programs, Ford has empowered thousands of individuals and families to break the cycle of violence and promote peace. Her innovative approach to addressing violence as a public health crisis has been adopted by New York City, resulting in a 10 percent reduction in violence citywide, and her expertise is widely sought after on the national level.

    Ford is currently the Co-chair of the National Black & Brown Gun Violence Prevention Consortium (BBGVPC), a strategic partnership comprised of black and brown-led institutions working to create equitable opportunities and safe communities. Most recently, Ford led the discussion around violence prevention with Domestic Policy Director Ambassador Susan Rice, other members of the Biden Administration, and a curated group of Black and Brown leaders in gun violence prevention, therapeutic service. The result of these discussions led to the largest investment in Black and Brown communities to combat violence in the history of America: $10 billion in grants, $200 million in the budget, and $5.3 billion in policy.

     Ford is the recipient of countless local, regional, and national awards. Her birthday, April 8th, has been officially proclaimed Erica Ford Day in New York City.