Restore the Village: Serve & Connect’s 2022 Peace Walk

Once again, we are astounded by our community’s commitment to our collective mission for peace. Thanks to the voices of North Columbian citizens, this year’s North Columbia Empowerment for Peace Walk: Restore the Village event was an undeniable success, moving us one step closer to a safer, more cooperative community for all.

On Sunday, Feb. 20, roughly 200 individuals joined together alongside officers from local and county departments to highlight youth leadership and encourage community-wide support for peace over violence.

The event began at noon with a community-wide creative exercise. Participants gathered for a sign-making event to help them express their support and make their voices heard. Community and police voices were shared along the two march routes through Bayberry Mews and Palmetto Terrace communities. Youth led the way as the routes converged at the Katherine M. Bellfield Booker Washington Heights Cultural Arts Center. Our walk ended with both groups joining for a community resource fair attended by the following VIPs: City of Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford, City of Columbia Councilmember Will Brennan, City of Columbia Councilmember and Mayor Pro-Tem Ed McDowell, Principal Coletrain of WA Perry Middle School and Booker Washington Heights Neighborhood Association President Regina E. Williams.

“Communication and cooperation are key for any community looking to heal itself from within,” shared Omari Fox, lead community organizer of Serve & Connect. “Events like this peace walk may seem small, but they bring us together and, when we act together, the change we can create can be unstoppable.”

Thank you to all of our Columbia friends and neighbors who joined us for this year’s event! Special thanks to the City of Columbia, Columbia Police Department, Richland County and Richland County Sheriff’s Department for their partnership with the North Columbia Youth Empowerment Initiative in organizing this year’s walk.

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Serve & ConnectMarch 14, 2022