Chicago's Mr. Ceasefire, Tio Hardiman, Has Proven that Gang Mediation Saves Lives

It started when some men tried to strong-arm Tio Hardiman into paying his brother's debt. Skills he applied out of necessity on the streets of Chicago have now become the effective tools of globally recognized Violence Interrupters community-based mediation program. It was not a straight shot by any means. Along the way he dropped out of high school, dealt with addiction and the kinds of troubles that often befall undirected youth.

Tio Hardiman is the Executive Director of the nonprofit Violence Interrupters. The organization promotes a public-health model of gang intervention scientifically proven to reduce killings and violence.

Favorite song: I Go To Work by Kool Moe Dee

Favorite words: If you fall down, it’s your duty to get right back up, because if you stay down too long, you might not have the strength to get back up.