Erica Ford is an Anti-Violence Activist, CEO, and founder of LIFE Camp. Inc. Growing up in a high crime neighborhood in Jamaica, Queens in the 1980s instilled in her a burning desire to help effect positive changes in her community. Erica attended a rally for the December 12th Movement, an international human rights’ group, which solidified her life’s ambition to become a change maker. Shortly after, she founded the Black Consciousness Youth Movement to help create and develop student governments in New York City high schools and to organize action against police brutality. In 2002, Ford , along with Jeffery “Ja Rule” Atkins and others, created the LIFE Camp (Love Ignites Freedom Through Education) which provides at-risk inner-city youth, ages 13-24 years, with the valuable tools they need to stay in school and out of the criminal justice system by offering these individuals educational, employment and social opportunities. She is currently working on a campaign called ‘Bury Da Beef’ which aims at reducing gun violence. Worth mentioning is also her NY Peace Week, which occurs each January and honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of non- violence. Ford’s dedication to reducing violence among New Yorkers has garnered countless awards and praise by notable public figures such as former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Oprah Winfrey.