License to Operate

In this episode of License to Operate, Peter Cunningham and Kanoya Ali speak with Trevon Bosley about growing up in Roseland, losing family members to gun violence, and turning that experience into community-based violence prevention work. The conversation also explores youth programming, survivor support, and why solutions to violence are strongest when they are led by the people closest to the i...

In this episode, Gemali Ibrahim from the Inner City Muslim Action Network shares how a childhood in Roseland, Chicago, shaped his understanding of community, violence, and faith. Gemali opens up about the heartbreak and hope that drive his work’s relentless pursuit of change. He discusses the spiritual and cultural anchors that offer young people a sense of belonging—particularly through Islam—and...

In this episode of the LTO Podcast, we listen into a conversation with Javon and Semaj from Chicago CRED, exploring their journeys from growing up in Chicago to community leadership. They discuss the importance of authentic mentorship, the impact of systemic challenges, and the power of hope and resilience in transforming lives.

In this episode of LTO, Nate Driggers shares his extraordinary life journey from childhood hardship in Roseland to professional basketball, and ultimately to his impactful work in community violence intervention. Nathan shares raw insights into his early struggles, street life, and his inspiring efforts to give back to at-risk youth.

On this episode of LTO, join us as Liz Dozier, founder and CEO of Chicago Beyond, shares her inspiring journey from Chicago's schools to leading with transformative philanthropy. Discover her insights on trauma, community resilience, and innovative approaches to social change.

Amir Bowman’s journey from wrongful imprisonment to leading community change is nothing short of inspiring. After being exonerated, he dedicated himself to healing who he once was and helping others avoid the traps he fell into. His story reminds us: change is possible, and support can be the turning point.

In this episode, Kanoya Ali and Peter Cunningham sit down with Erica Ford, widely known as the "Peace Doctor," to explore her groundbreaking work in community violence intervention (CVI) and the remarkable transformation of New York City from a high-violence environment into a safer, more hopeful community. They discuss her vital role in the Crisis Management System, the innovative Peace Bus initi...

In this episode, William Juju Brown shares his journey from a troubled upbringing in Englewood, Chicago, to becoming a life coach with Chicago CRED. He discusses the challenges faced by participants in the community violence intervention program, the importance of cognitive behavioral interventions, and the need for mentorship and support systems. Juju emphasizes the significance of addressing the...

In this conversation, Kanoya Ali and Peter Cunningham talk with J. Sweet, a community violence intervention specialist, discussing the innovative use of sports, particularly paintball, as a therapeutic tool for at-risk youth. They explore J's personal journey from investment banking to community service, the importance of mental health care, and the role of sports in fostering identity and belongi...

In this episode, Peter Cunningham and Kanoya Ali discuss the significant decline in gun violence in Chicago in 2025, attributing it to community efforts and collaboration among various organizations in Chicago. They explore the importance of community violence intervention (CVI) programs, the need for skills training, and the impact on youth and emphasize the importance of education and community...

Dr. Lance Williams, scholar and author of several books on Chicago's street organizations, brings a unique perspective to understanding gang culture through academic research combined with personal connections. As the son of an original Vice Lords founding member, Dr. Williams traces the historical evolution of Chicago's street organizations from the Policy Kings of the early 1900s through today's...

Kanoya Ali and Peter Cunningham sit down with Aaron Rivas, an outreach leader with New Life Centers, serving Chicago's Little Village community. Aaron shares how a life-changing moment at a funeral, seeing his own name on a young victim's casket, led him from church pews to street corners. He discusses the remarkable 75% reduction in shootings his community has achieved, the challenges of working...

In this episode of License to Operate, hosts Kanoya Ali and Peter Cunningham sit down with former Chicago Police Sergeant Vivian Williams about her transformative 30-year career serving the same South Side community where she lived and raised her children. Vivian shares her philosophy of policing with dignity, the hidden trauma affecting officers, and how authentic community relationships can brea...

In this episode of License to Operate, hosts Kanoya Ali and Peter Cunningham sit down with Sadiq Ali, co-founder of Muslimatic University and owner of Baahir Imports. After converting to Islam in 2005 following his own journey through gang life, Sadiq has become a transformative force in Chicago's most dangerous neighborhoods, including O-Block. With over 700 new Muslim converts in the past 18 mon...

In this episode of License to Operate, hosts Kanoya Ali and Peter Cunningham sit down with Dr. Chico Tillman, Executive Director of the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy at the University of Chicago. Tillman's natural leadership skills and street credibility have made him uniquely effective at interrupting cycles of violence. He was instrumental in securing $3.7 billion in federal...

In this episode of License to Operate, hosts Kanoya Ali and Peter Cunningham sit down with Lil Cuz, a 28-year-old content creator and psychology graduate from Chicago's South Side. The conversation explores how he uses different characters to reach various demographics, and the powerful influence of social media on today's youth. Lil Cuz offers candid insights into why some young people are drawn...

Kanoya Ali and Peter Cunningham are joined by Cleopatra "Cleo" Cowley, founder of Hadiya's Promise and mother of Hadiya Pendleton, the 15-year-old honor student who was shot and killed in Chicago in 2013, just days after performing at President Obama's second inauguration. Cleo shares her profound journey of loss and transformation, describing how tragedy unlocked her voice and propelled her into...

Kanoya Ali and Peter Cunningham sit down with Abdul Haqq, also known as Dontay Banks or Big Durk, who served 26 years of a life sentence before becoming a life coach and curriculum specialist at Chicago CRED. As the father of one son lost to gun violence, and another son, rap superstar Lil Durk, facing charges, Abdul shares his journey from the streets of Englewood through federal prison, where hi...

Kanoya Ali and Peter Cunningham sit down with Bilaal Evans, founder of Restorative Project in Englewood, who has been doing gun violence prevention work since 2007. Bilaal shares his incredible journey from growing up in Chicago's Henry Horner Projects, where he lost 26 cousins to gun violence, to surviving 15 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Wrongfully convicted at age 17 by detecti...

Kanoya Ali and Peter Cunningham sit down with Billy Moore, site manager for Chicago CRED and author of "Until the Lion Speaks." Billy shares his remarkable journey from making a tragic mistake at 16 that cost him 20 years in prison to becoming a leading voice in Chicago's violence intervention movement. Billy opens up about his unlikely mentorship with Larry Hoover at the Stateville prison, how lo...

Kanoya Ali and Peter Cunningham prove that the most unlikely partnerships can drive real change on Chicago's streets. While Chicago saw a 30% drop in shootings compared with last year, these two men with vastly different backgrounds reveal what's really working—and what isn't—in violence prevention. Ali shares his journey through prison at 17 after taking a life, while Peter talks about his experi...

License to Operate (LTO) takes you inside the streets where former gang members now broker peace and grieving mothers choose forgiveness over revenge. Hosts Kanoya Ali—a west side Chicago native who transformed his life after prison—and Peter Cunningham bring you raw conversations with the people actually reducing gun violence in the city's hardest-hit neighborhoods. This isn't about politics or p...