Tio Hardiman: A Lifetime of Dedication to Violence Prevention and Social Change

Tio Hardiman, Executive Director of Violence Interrupters, NFP, and two-time gubernatorial candidate, has devoted his life to community organizing, peacebuilding, and social change. With a distinguished career spanning decade, Mr. Hardiman has made significant strides in reducing violence and fostering safer communities across the United States and beyond.

Leadership in CeaseFire and Creation of the Violence Interrupters Initiative

In 1999, Mr. Hardiman joined CeaseFire, a pioneering public health model recognized for its scientifically proven effectiveness in reducing shootings and killings. Under his leadership, CeaseFire expanded rapidly. In 2004, Tio Hardiman launched the Violence Interrupters Initiative, a specialized unit focused on preemptive violence intervention. This initiative capitalized on the deep community ties and credibility of its members to mediate conflicts before they escalated into violence.

Due to Tio’s strategic direction, CeaseFire received additional funding from the State of Illinois in 2004, allowing the program to expand from five to 15 communities and from 20 to 130 Outreach Workers and Violence Interrupters. The impact was profound: Chicago witnessed a 25% reduction in homicides in 2013, marking the lowest number of homicides since 1965.

Expanding the Violence Interrupters Model

Mr. Hardiman’s innovative strategies have helped bring the Violence Interrupters Program to multiple areas. A key example is in 2015 when the program was launched in Freeport, Illinois, leading to a full year without any homicides from February 2015 to February 2016. The program then expanded to Springfield, Ohio, from 2016 to 2019, and more recently, from 2023 to 2024, it has been making a positive impact in South Austin, West Garfield, and several other Chicago neighborhoods.

Academic and Professional Contributions

In addition to his work with Violence Interrupters, Mr. Hardiman serves as an Adjunct Professor at North Park University, where he teaches courses in Criminal Justice and Restorative Justice. He also volunteers his time and expertise at Cook County Jail, further demonstrating his commitment to restorative practices and violence prevention.

Tio Hardiman’s influence extends beyond Illinois. He is a sought-after trainer in the Violence Prevention/Public Health Model, providing training across numerous cities in the United States, including New York City, Philadelphia, Houston, Cleveland, Detroit, Los Angeles, and many others.

Author, Advocate, and Media Contributor

Mr. Hardiman is the author of “Interrupting Gun Violence,” a seminal work on violence prevention, and the creator of the Violence Interrupters initiative, which was the focus of the award-winning PBS Frontline documentary, “The Interrupters.” He has also authored a children’s comic book titled Mr. CeaseFire, which educates young readers about the importance of nonviolence.

Beyond his work in violence prevention, Tio Hardiman has also been a strong advocate for animal welfare. His collaboration with the Humane Society of the United States helped raise awareness of inner-city pit bulldog fighting, leading to the establishment of the End Dog Fighting Program.

Global Reach and Recognition

The Violence Interrupters Model, pioneered by Mr. Hardiman, has been replicated in 26 Chicago communities, seven cities in Illinois, 15 cities across the United States, and even internationally in countries such as England, Iraq, and South Africa. The program’s success has garnered interest from more than 30 cities and 20 nations looking to address their own challenges with violence.

Mr. Hardiman’s knowledge and experience have made him a go-to expert on issues related to violence and gangs in Chicago. He has shared his insights on major TV networks like CNN and the BBC, and his work has been highlighted in well-known publications such as The New York Times Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, Jet Magazine, and The Chicago Sun-Times. The documentary The Interrupters, which highlights his work, has also received praise at film festivals across the country.

Educational Background

Tio Hardiman holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts and a Master’s Degree in Inner City Studies from Northeastern Illinois University. His educational background, coupled with his extensive firsthand experience, underscores his deep understanding of the complexities of urban violence and his commitment to creating lasting change.

Through his work, Tio Hardiman continues to inspire communities, influence policy, and lead efforts to interrupt violence and foster peace, both locally and globally.

You can contact Tio Hardiman at 773-391-9072 or via email at tio_h@yahoo.com. For more information, please visit www.violenceinterrupters.org.