Ignite Peace (formerly Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center) educates and advocates for peace, challenges unjust systems, and promotes the creation of a nonviolent society.
Ignite Peace brings unique educational opportunities to the classroom with our interactive presentations, docuseries screenings, and other adaptable and engaging curriculum. If you’re a teacher or student, contact us to bring a presentation or workshop to your school. We are excited to raise awareness, literacy, and understanding of important issues of criminal justice and immigration justice among young people in our community.
Pictured: Students from Xavier University’s Alternative Breaks participating in our interactive Immigration 101 presentation.
Ignite Peace was founded by five congregations of Sisters with a call for justice. We know that for many, moral convictions are tied deeply to faith and move them to work for peace and justice. We work with people of all faiths to provide education on justice issues and ways to take action. Whether you are clergy or a lay person, we encourage you to connect your community with Ignite Peace. Talk to us about hosting an educational event for your membership or ways to take action as a group for systemic change.
Pictured: Members of Our Lady of Divine Providence viewing and discussing the Race and Racism in Cincinnati Docuseries.
We know that there is power to be found in connecting with others and sharing knowledge and resources. Our workshops can be tailored to your staff or volunteers for professional development, to deepen your understanding of an issue, or to prepare your group to take strategic nonviolent action.
We also work in coalition and solidarity with many organizations including advocacy groups and direct service providers to achieve our shared goals. We are proud to be a part of the No Death Penalty Ohio coalition and to facilitate the Immigrant Dignity Coalition. If you are part of an organization whose mission aligns with peace and justice, reach out to see how we can work together.
Pictured: Members of the NoDeathPenaltyOH coalition attending proponent testimony at the Ohio Statehouse, advocating for death penalty abolition.
From being a pen pal, to organizing a letter writing campaign, to setting up an educational presentation, to joining protests, or engaging in dialogue with leaders and fellow community members, individuals have the power to create change. Nonviolence creates space for everyone to take part in the movement toward justice. Check out our upcoming events page to get involved in one of our policy campaigns, join a community event, or sign up for a nonviolence training.
Pictured: Former youth leader, Alex, leading an immigration rally to save the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Our 2026 Annual Gathering is only 4 weeks away! Will we be seeing you there? Let us know in the comments, and visit the link in our bio or go to give.ignitepeace.org/gathering2026 to get your tickets before they sell out!
Interested in becoming a sponsor? There`s still time! Email kelly@ignitepeace.org for details.
#AnnualGathering2026 #Resistance #Event #IgnitePeace
Our 2026 Annual Gathering is only 4 weeks away! Will we be seeing you there? Let us know in the comments, and visit the link in our bio or go to give.ignitepeace.org/gathering2026 to get your tickets before they sell out!
Interested in becoming a sponsor? There`s still time! Email kelly@ignitepeace.org for details.
#AnnualGathering2026 #Resistance #Event #IgnitePeace
It`s often said, "If you want peace, work for justice," and that`s exactly what we do here at Ignite Peace. Through a lens of nonviolence and anti-racism, we challenge unjust systems, educating and advocating for immigration justice and criminal justice reform. To learn more about how to get involved, visit IgnitePeace.org 🕊💛
#InternationalDayOfPeace #IgnitePeace
It`s often said, "If you want peace, work for justice," and that`s exactly what we do here at Ignite Peace. Through a lens of nonviolence and anti-racism, we challenge unjust systems, educating and advocating for immigration justice and criminal justice reform. To learn more about how to get involved, visit IgnitePeace.org 🕊💛
#InternationalDayOfPeace #IgnitePeace
Syrian heart meets Midwestern soul. That`s how Bassel & The Supernaturals describe their music, and we CANNOT WAIT to see them perform live at our 2026 Annual Gathering: Resistance Rising on October 21st at the Woodward Theater!
@basselmusic tells the story of Bassel Almadani`s experience as a first-generation Syrian-American using soulful melodies, funk-inspired rhythms, and captivating lyrics about love, loss, and otherness.
Echoing Stevie Wonder’s rhythm and blues, Jamiroquai’s social justice-centered lyricism over jazz-infused funk, and Steely Dan’s seamless amalgam of American music, Bassel & The Supernaturals evoke joy and thoughtfulness - and may even inspire you to get up and dance!
Get your tickets to the Annual Gathering by visiting the link in our bio!
Syrian heart meets Midwestern soul. That`s how Bassel & The Supernaturals describe their music, and we CANNOT WAIT to see them perform live at our 2026 Annual Gathering: Resistance Rising on October 21st at the Woodward Theater!
@basselmusic tells the story of Bassel Almadani`s experience as a first-generation Syrian-American using soulful melodies, funk-inspired rhythms, and captivating lyrics about love, loss, and otherness.
Echoing Stevie Wonder’s rhythm and blues, Jamiroquai’s social justice-centered lyricism over jazz-infused funk, and Steely Dan’s seamless amalgam of American music, Bassel & The Supernaturals evoke joy and thoughtfulness - and may even inspire you to get up and dance!
Get your tickets to the Annual Gathering by visiting the link in our bio!
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
In the midst of relentless attacks on Latine communities, it is important to recognize and celebrate the cultures and traditions of so many different countries and the people who come from them.
If you’re interested in working for immigration justice, consider getting involved with the Immigrant Dignity Coalition. Fill out the form at the link in our bio!
#IgnitePeace #immigration #HispanicHeritiageMonth
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
In the midst of relentless attacks on Latine communities, it is important to recognize and celebrate the cultures and traditions of so many different countries and the people who come from them.
If you’re interested in working for immigration justice, consider getting involved with the Immigrant Dignity Coalition. Fill out the form at the link in our bio!
#IgnitePeace #immigration #HispanicHeritiageMonth
Want to get into some "Good Trouble"? Join us for a training at the Peaslee Neighborhood Center in Over-the-Rhine to learn about noncooperation and gain skills in strategic nonviolence to help defeat the rise of authoritarianism. You`ll then learn how to utilize these skills in a local immigration justice campaign. RSVP at the link in our bio.
#ImmigrationJustice #GoodTrouble #Nonviolence #Noncooperation
Want to get into some "Good Trouble"? Join us for a training at the Peaslee Neighborhood Center in Over-the-Rhine to learn about noncooperation and gain skills in strategic nonviolence to help defeat the rise of authoritarianism. You`ll then learn how to utilize these skills in a local immigration justice campaign. RSVP at the link in our bio.
#ImmigrationJustice #GoodTrouble #Nonviolence #Noncooperation
Our final 2026 Ignite Peace Honoree we`d like you to meet is Jan Seymour. She`ll receive our Tending the Flame Legacy Award at our Annual Gathering on October 21st at the Woodward Theater.
Jan graduated from Emory University in 1965 and worked at the Georgia Department of Labor as a counselor for disadvantaged youth, focusing on job training and employment. Moving to Cincinnati in 1968, she went to work for the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services, leading a team counseling family aid recipients in job training and placement.
In 1985, Jan earned an MBA from the University of Cincinnati and launched a career in executive recruiting that spanned from 1985 to 2014. Through this work, she discovered nonprofit organizations that led her to volunteer work through her church. By the mid-90s, her focus shifted to advocacy that aligned with Ignite Peace. She remains deeply dedicated to our mission of abolishing the death penalty, promoting global peace, and supporting immigrant justice.
Get your Annual Gathering: Resistance Rising tickets by visiting the link in our bio. We hope to see you there!
Our final 2026 Ignite Peace Honoree we`d like you to meet is Jan Seymour. She`ll receive our Tending the Flame Legacy Award at our Annual Gathering on October 21st at the Woodward Theater.
Jan graduated from Emory University in 1965 and worked at the Georgia Department of Labor as a counselor for disadvantaged youth, focusing on job training and employment. Moving to Cincinnati in 1968, she went to work for the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services, leading a team counseling family aid recipients in job training and placement.
In 1985, Jan earned an MBA from the University of Cincinnati and launched a career in executive recruiting that spanned from 1985 to 2014. Through this work, she discovered nonprofit organizations that led her to volunteer work through her church. By the mid-90s, her focus shifted to advocacy that aligned with Ignite Peace. She remains deeply dedicated to our mission of abolishing the death penalty, promoting global peace, and supporting immigrant justice.
Get your Annual Gathering: Resistance Rising tickets by visiting the link in our bio. We hope to see you there!
Our next 2026 Ignite Peace Honoree in the spotlight is Krysti Paul, this year`s Margaret Fuller Peace Award winner.
Krysti is a corporate trainer/instructional designer who lives in Mason with her husband Joe and giant silly dog, Anchovy. She has always been a loud proponent of racial, economic, and social justice, but was always too scared to do something about it.
Over the course of the past two years (after participating in strategic nonviolence training with Ignite Peace), she has dedicated most of her time to teaching as many people as possible to get involved in nonviolent direct action/noncooperation. To facilitate that work, she formed two groups: @513fordemocracy (advocacy/mobilization) and Cincy Resistance Training (education). She is also one of the organizers with @cincyrises (formerly 50501 Cincy), and is a primary contact in the northern Cincinnati area for people wanting to get involved and do more.
We`ll be presenting Krysti and our other 2025 Honorees with their awards at the Annual Gathering: Resistance Rising on October 21 at the Woodward Theater. Get your tickets at the link in our bio.
Our next 2026 Ignite Peace Honoree in the spotlight is Krysti Paul, this year`s Margaret Fuller Peace Award winner.
Krysti is a corporate trainer/instructional designer who lives in Mason with her husband Joe and giant silly dog, Anchovy. She has always been a loud proponent of racial, economic, and social justice, but was always too scared to do something about it.
Over the course of the past two years (after participating in strategic nonviolence training with Ignite Peace), she has dedicated most of her time to teaching as many people as possible to get involved in nonviolent direct action/noncooperation. To facilitate that work, she formed two groups: @513fordemocracy (advocacy/mobilization) and Cincy Resistance Training (education). She is also one of the organizers with @cincyrises (formerly 50501 Cincy), and is a primary contact in the northern Cincinnati area for people wanting to get involved and do more.
We`ll be presenting Krysti and our other 2025 Honorees with their awards at the Annual Gathering: Resistance Rising on October 21 at the Woodward Theater. Get your tickets at the link in our bio.
Love music, peace, and justice? Come out to the annual Share the Journey concert for compassion on September 19 at the House of Joy. All proceeds will benefit organizations working for immigrant justice and dignity, including Ignite Peace. We hope to see you there! Learn more at sharethejourney.love 💛
#ShareTheJourney #ImmigrrantsAreWelcomeHere #BenefitConcert
Love music, peace, and justice? Come out to the annual Share the Journey concert for compassion on September 19 at the House of Joy. All proceeds will benefit organizations working for immigrant justice and dignity, including Ignite Peace. We hope to see you there! Learn more at sharethejourney.love 💛
#ShareTheJourney #ImmigrrantsAreWelcomeHere #BenefitConcert
Meet this year`s Ignite Peace Honorees who will receive their awards at our Annual Gathering on October 21! Over the next few days, we`ll be announcing the names of the award recipients.
First up is Rico Blackman, this year`s Bob Maxwell Peace Builder Honoree.
Rico is self-described as an “unintentionally destructive, easily overwhelmed nerd, introvert, procrastinator, terrible texter, horrible singer, and lover of cold weather.” But he says this makes him good enough to earn this award because he uses these characteristics to make people laugh and motivated to change the system we`re in.
He also wears many hats: the @cincinnatihomelesscoalition , @blackpowerinitiative , and @cincysovereignsoil . He can`t wait to retire to be in his garden full time; until then, “let`s keep organizing for social justice... when there`s no justice...there is no peace.”
Get your tickets to the 2026 Annual Gathering: Resistance Rising today by visiting the link in our bio.
Meet this year`s Ignite Peace Honorees who will receive their awards at our Annual Gathering on October 21! Over the next few days, we`ll be announcing the names of the award recipients.
First up is Rico Blackman, this year`s Bob Maxwell Peace Builder Honoree.
Rico is self-described as an “unintentionally destructive, easily overwhelmed nerd, introvert, procrastinator, terrible texter, horrible singer, and lover of cold weather.” But he says this makes him good enough to earn this award because he uses these characteristics to make people laugh and motivated to change the system we`re in.
He also wears many hats: the @cincinnatihomelesscoalition , @blackpowerinitiative , and @cincysovereignsoil . He can`t wait to retire to be in his garden full time; until then, “let`s keep organizing for social justice... when there`s no justice...there is no peace.”
Get your tickets to the 2026 Annual Gathering: Resistance Rising today by visiting the link in our bio.
Save the date! Join us and @ohioans2stopexecutions on October 10 as we gather with fellow anti-death penalty advocates to walk in our state’s capital to call for an end to the death penalty. A program and luncheon featuring anti-death penalty activist speakers will follow the walk.
Registration link in bio!
#WorldDayAgainstTheDeathPenalty #WDATDP #EndTheDeathPenalty
Save the date! Join us and @ohioans2stopexecutions on October 10 as we gather with fellow anti-death penalty advocates to walk in our state’s capital to call for an end to the death penalty. A program and luncheon featuring anti-death penalty activist speakers will follow the walk.
Registration link in bio!
#WorldDayAgainstTheDeathPenalty #WDATDP #EndTheDeathPenalty
SAVE THE DATE! Our Annual Gathering: Resistance Rising is on Wednesday, October 21, from 6-9 PM. Tickets and sponsorships are now available; just visit the link in our bio.
Join us for an evening of reflection and resilience with light bites, an awards ceremony, and entertainment from Bassel & The Supernaturals, a band that brings Syrian heart with Midwestern soul. We can`t wait to see you there!
@basselmusic 🎺
Artwork by @renegadebabe 💛
SAVE THE DATE! Our Annual Gathering: Resistance Rising is on Wednesday, October 21, from 6-9 PM. Tickets and sponsorships are now available; just visit the link in our bio.
Join us for an evening of reflection and resilience with light bites, an awards ceremony, and entertainment from Bassel & The Supernaturals, a band that brings Syrian heart with Midwestern soul. We can`t wait to see you there!
@basselmusic 🎺
Artwork by @renegadebabe 💛
“We are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Today, we recognize an important historical date in the fight for civil rights and social justice. At the March on Washington, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech united Americans to do more than dream, but to act. Rooted in his values of nonviolence, equality, and justice, the speech continues to inspire generations of peacemakers and activists to work towards a more just, equal, and peaceful world.
#IHaveADream #IgnitePeace #MLK
“We are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Today, we recognize an important historical date in the fight for civil rights and social justice. At the March on Washington, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech united Americans to do more than dream, but to act. Rooted in his values of nonviolence, equality, and justice, the speech continues to inspire generations of peacemakers and activists to work towards a more just, equal, and peaceful world.
#IHaveADream #IgnitePeace #MLK
February 1, 2024
Ohio legislators, Stewart and Plummer, and Attorney General Yost are supporting new legislation to make nitrogen hypoxia available in Ohio. Let lawmakers know Ohioans will not accept this method of execution.
January 24, 2024
Submit your nominations for our 2024 Ignite Peace Awards!
July 10, 2023
After much anticipation and a lot of hard work, we are excited to reintroduce ourselves with our new organizational name…
September 15, 2026
By Lilly Jarc, Summer 2026 InternPosted: 9/15/2026 As we enter our 20th month under an administration that prioritizes quotas over families and labels over humanity, we have witnessed mass detention, […]
August 14, 2026
Photo credit: Matt Shiffler Photography When our partners at Springfield Neighbors United told us that hundreds of Haitians had received alarming letters from ICE ordering them to check in at […]
