Dave Leopold

Uncornered utilizes a counterintuitive approach to transform urban communities into violence-free neighborhoods by using the power of Core Influencers to unlock the potential of individuals and cities. Core Influencers are both active and former gang-involved leaders who have the proximity and credibility to impact violence in their communities. Uncornered harnesses the power of Core Influencers, giving them support to move from disruption to positive impact. The approach provides a college-focused education to empower young people to move away from negative behaviors, instead using their brilliance and leadership to become positive agents of community change. It has three key evidence-based components that combine the credibility and trust of community-based mentors, the scaffold of high expectations, and the stability of financial support to provide support, time, and space that Core Influencers need to heal, learn, grow, and succeed. 1. Hire former core influencers - individuals with proximity, lived experience, and credibility are trained as mentors, provided with trauma-informed strategies, and given the autonomy to recruit, engage, and support gang-involved young adults 2. Set high expectations - long-term, sustainable pathways to college (post-secondary education) and beyond to shift mindsets and ignite hope that taps into the brilliance and influence of Core Influencers 3.Provide financial support to active core influencers - a guaranteed income model of direct cash support for basic needs allows gang-involved young adults to think beyond daily survival With this scaffold, individuals begin to lift up themselves and influence their crews/networks to create change in their communities.