Atlantic City Hosts Powerful Opening Day of National Pull Up 4 Peace Conference

The City of Atlantic City proudly hosted Day 1 of the National Pull Up 4 Peace Violence Prevention Conference at the Showboat Hotel, marking the beginning of a powerful three-day event aimed at addressing violence and fostering community-driven solutions. The first day was themed ATLANTIC CITY Day, and it featured a dynamic lineup of local leaders, advocates, and organizers committed to making lasting change.

The day opened with formal remarks by Mayor Marty Small Sr. and Councilman Kaleem Shabazz, who both emphasized the city's commitment to anti-violence efforts and the importance of unity, prevention, and empowerment at every level of the community.

One of the main highlights of the day was the Atlantic City Showcase, moderated by the city’s O.N.E (Our Neighborhood Evolution) Anti-Violence Division, which played a pivotal role in organizing and shaping the event. The showcase provided a platform for local voices, spotlighting grassroots solutions, youth engagement, and community transformation efforts already underway in Atlantic City.

A particularly impactful session titled Ego-System to Eco-System was led by Health & Human Services Director Jarrod Barnes, who moderated a thoughtful discussion on shifting mindsets from individual competition to collective healing and systemic change. This conversation challenged attendees to reimagine what community safety and wellness can look like when built through collaboration rather than control.

Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to engage in open dialogue, attend breakout sessions, and connect with others who are working across different sectors—government, education, activism, and more—to reduce violence and promote peace.

City officials, partner organizations, and community members came together not only to speak, but to listen, learn, and lay the groundwork for sustainable impact. The opening day reflected a deep-rooted investment in elevating Atlantic City’s local leadership as a model for national solutions.

The energy in the room was one of urgency, vision, and hope. By centering the voices of those directly affected and those actively working on the ground, the conference created space for authentic collaboration and honest conversations.

With the successful completion of Day 1, the city set a powerful tone for the rest of the conference, paving the way for regional and national perspectives to take the stage in the days to follow.

Day 2, dubbed NATIONAL Day, featured a Freedom Brunch, a Leadership in Action discussion, and the State of the People Summit—further expanding the conversation from the local to the national stage.

As the first day concluded, it was clear that the National Pull Up 4 Peace Conference had not only begun—it had ignited a movement grounded in reflection, resilience, and real action.

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Photo Credit: Ed Lea / City of Atlantic City