In this powerful talk, Jamyle Cannon challenges conventional ideas about peace and violence, highlighting how boxing can be a transformative tool to reduce violence and build stronger communities. Focusing on the West Side of Chicago, where youth often face challenging environments, Cannon explains how teaching boxing provides a crucial outlet for anger and frustration, a supportive community, and personal development. He argues that addressing violence requires engaging with it directly and offering young people spaces where they can channel their energy positively. Through boxing, Cannon and his team have achieved remarkable success in fostering peace, improving academic outcomes, and preventing crime among at-risk youth. He advocates for rethinking traditional punitive approaches and embracing unconventional methods to create lasting peace in our communities, emphasizing the role of community, personal growth, and accountability in a democratic society.Jamyle Cannon, founder of The Bloc, a CNN Hero and Lumenary award winner, uses boxing to transform the lives of Chicago youth. Growing up in Kentucky, Jamyle faced challenges such as poverty and household addiction, leading to early struggles with anger and violence. After discovering boxing in college and becoming a National Collegiate Boxing Champion, he found a way to channel his energy into positive change. His nonprofit, The Bloc, combines boxing with academic support to give underserved students a safe space to grow. Since 2016, The Bloc has helped over 300 students, achieving a 100% high school graduation rate and 100% college acceptance rate. Recognized by CNN for his work, Jamyle is not just a fighter in the ring but a champion for youth empowerment.This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx