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THE PESA POST

The latest news, views and announcements from

Parents, Educators/Teachers & Students in Action


October 17, 2024

FAITH IN BLUE

PESA and Future Leaders host an event to unite community, youth and law enforcement 

The Faith in Blue event, hosted last Saturday, October 12th, at the Living Faith Cathedral Church in Lancaster, California, aimed to foster trust and understanding between law enforcement and marginalized communities. Organized in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and various faith-based organizations, the event opened with a Christian-style ceremony and welcomed leaders from Christian and Islamic faiths. Its focus was healing divisions, building peace, and establishing relationships.


A highlight of the event was PESA and its sister organization, Future Leaders’, involvement through the Justice Sunday Arts Initiative. Students performed a moving skit, which told the tragic story of an African American boy shot in a restaurant. Through the portrayal of four distinct personas—the boy, his mother, the officer, and a reporter — the students brought to life the complexity of perspectives surrounding the incident. The performance culminated with a song and pantomime dance that powerfully emphasized themes of forgiveness, healing, and the desire for peace.


The event served as an impactful platform for marginalized youth to express their experiences and speak truth to power. Nigel Holly, a key leader from PESA, highlighted the importance of these opportunities, noting, “It allows them [students] to have a voice to speak truth to power, whereas in other areas they may not have that opportunity... and it gives them the hope of power by listening to what they have to say.”

Approximately 350 people attended, including 50 law enforcement representatives and over 250 community members. Over 15 staff members from PESA and Future Leaders also participated. The reaction from the community was overwhelmingly positive, with many engaging with the students after the performance. Although law enforcement’s response seemed more reserved, the event sparked reflection and dialogue.


For PESA, partnerships like those with Future Leaders and law enforcement are essential to expanding their mission of empowering at-promise youth and fostering lasting change. As Holly expressed, “We want to build bridges and walk away from this life knowing we did something that mattered.” This event was another step in that important journey.



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