Block Party for Peace wraps up weekend with social justice theme

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - This weekend represents the 13th annual Block Party for Peace.

The event is designed to promote peace and empowerment in Memphis, with opportunities for employment, education and health.

Event founder and Tennessee State Representative Antonio Parkinson said the event is a safe family environment to discuss issues around Memphis.

"It's surrounded by music, food and fun, but at the end of the day we want to improve people's quality of life,” Parkinson said.

This year's theme is social justice.

The 13th annual Block Party for Peace wrapped up Sunday in Raleigh. For the first time, the event included amateur boxing, featuring boxers from across Memphis.

"We just hope that when you come to this event that you leave in a better place,” Parkinson said.

Parkinson said the mission is to bring work opportunities to residents in the Raleigh community.

“To find all the resources, as many resources as we can, gather them together, plop them down in one place so that people have access, kind of like a one stop,” Parkinson said.

“If they have an existing job and maybe are looking for better pay opportunities or if they are unemployed, it would be that opportunity to get started towards building self-sufficiency and meeting the needs of their family,” said Henry Lewis with Workforce Investment Network.

Sarai Vaughn is a recent college graduate and is searching for a job.

“I have had a few jobs but nothing I’ve wanted so far,” Vaughn said. “I’ve kind of opened my eyes since being here and I think I’ve found a couple of new career opportunities for myself.”

It’s the 13th year for the block party, with a continued focus on improving the quality of life in Memphis.

“Feed their families, pay their rent, and live life as comfortably as possible,” Parkinson said.

Throughout the weekend, the schedule of activities includes a Greek and talent show, health and wellness fair, BBQ cooking contest, live music and family fun.

“Whether it's through employment, our education initiatives, through opportunities in health, it's a success,” Parkinson said. “I don't care if it's one person. f that one person's life is getting better then we've done our job.”

The event is free and runs through Sunday, Sept. 30, at 3385 Austin Peay Highway.

For full event details, visit their website.

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