The Dorchester-based nonprofit Louis D. Brown Peace Institute (LDBPI) last week received a $100,000 grant from an arm of the gun violence prevention group Everytown for Gun Safety, which touts its 700,000 donors across the country.

The Institute was established by Joseph and Clementina Chéry in 1994 after their son Louis was murdered the year prior. At the time of his death, Louis was 15 years old who dreamed of pursuing a PhD and becoming the country’s first Black president.

The sophomore from Dorchester was concerned about the violence in his community and worked diligently to make it a more peaceful place. On the day of his death, Louis was on his way to a Teens Against Gang Violence meeting when he got caught in a crossfire shootout.

Louis’ parents opened LDBPI to honor his legacy and continue the peace work that he started. Today the institute offers various programs such as survivor outreach services, community reentry services, and healing support services.

The grant is part of Everytown Community Safety Fund’s $2.35 million investment in funding 35 community-based violence intervention organizations.
“With this grant, The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute will be able to provide their trauma-informed care, conflict mediation, and youth leadership development programs to more communities in the Boston area to help break the cycle of violence,” said Michael-Sean Spence, the managing director of Community Safety Initiatives at Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund and Creator of the Everytown Community Safety Fund.