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What does it take to break the cycle of violence? And how can young people choose peace when surrounded by conflict, retaliation, and the pressures of social media?

In this episode of Be the Peace, host Josh King sits down with JaZaiah, a Peacemaker Academy graduate and student at North Side High School in Fort Wayne.

JaZaiah shares her perspective on the challenges young people face, including gun violence, retaliation, and the influence of social media. Reflecting on the loss of her godfather to gun violence, she discusses how revenge can create even more pain for families and communities—and why someone must be willing to break that cycle.

She also challenges negative perceptions of North Side High School, describing a diverse, supportive school community that is often overlooked when attention focuses only on conflict. Through her involvement with the Peacemaker Academy, JaZaiah has learned the importance of leading by example, building positive relationships, and showing others that there are alternatives to violence.

It's a conversation about grief, courage, and the power of young people to challenge cycles of violence and help create a more peaceful future.

Be the Peace is produced by Alive Community Outreach, cultivating a community of nonviolence through relationships and education.

Learn more about Be the Peace and watch the full video episode at alivefw.org/bethepeace.

Be the Peace is a podcast from Alive Community Outreach.

Learn more: alivefw.org/bethepeace
Follow Alive: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

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What does Beloved Community look like in everyday life? And how can the relationships we build help us through some of our most difficult moments?

In this episode of Be the Peace, host Josh King sits down with Su Oo, a Peacemaker Academy graduate from Northrop High School in Fort Wayne, to explore how nonviolence and community transformed her understanding of relationships, belonging, and caring for others.

Su reflects on a difficult period during her sophomore year and how the relationships she developed through the Peacemaker Academy became an important source of support. Through connections with fellow peacemakers, Peace Advocates, and school staff, she discovered a community of people who cared about her and helped her navigate challenging moments.

She also shares her understanding of Beloved Community—not as an abstract ideal, but as something we practice through everyday acts of kindness, compassion, and mutual care. Whether it’s helping a neighbor carry groceries, bringing food to someone who is sick, or simply showing up for someone who is struggling, Su reminds us that building Beloved Community begins with how we treat one another.

It’s a conversation about finding belonging, building meaningful relationships, and discovering how the practice of nonviolence can transform both our lives and our communities.

Be the Peace is produced by Alive Community Outreach, cultivating a community of nonviolence through relationships and education.

Learn more about Be the Peace and watch the full video episode at alivefw.org/bethepeace.

Be the Peace is a podcast from Alive Community Outreach.

Learn more: alivefw.org/bethepeace
Follow Alive: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Send us Fan Mail

What does it take to walk away from a fight? And how can one moment of courage change the course of a young person’s life?

In this episode of Be the Peace, host Josh King sits down with Byron Scott, a Peace Advocate with Alive Community Outreach at Northrop High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Byron shares how growing up without a father figure shaped his commitment to mentoring young people and giving back to his community. He reflects on the importance of building relationships with students, helping them recognize their own potential, and creating spaces where they feel heard and valued.

Drawing from his work at Northrop, Byron challenges the idea that nonviolence is a sign of weakness. He explains how he encourages students to reconsider what real courage looks like—and why walking away from a fight can require more strength than throwing a punch.

He also shares a powerful story about a student who, in a moment of intense conflict, remembered what he had learned through the Peacemaker Academy and chose to prevent violence rather than participate in it.

It’s a conversation about courage, mentorship, and the power of nonviolence to transform the choices we make in everyday life.

Be the Peace is produced by Alive Community Outreach, cultivating a community of nonviolence through relationships and education.

Learn more about Be the Peace and watch the full video episode at alivefw.org/bethepeace.

Be the Peace is a podcast from Alive Community Outreach.

Learn more: alivefw.org/bethepeace
Follow Alive: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube