Live Free USA

Live Free USA is a national organization based in Berkeley, CA dedicated to ending gun violence and mass incarceration through evidence-based community violence intervention strategies. Founded in 2011 by Rev. Michael McBride, Live Free operates at the intersection of faith leadership, direct community organizing, and policy advocacy to address the root causes of violence in underserved communities. The organization delivers comprehensive services across three primary areas: education, advocacy, and strategic investments. Through intensive Peacemaker Bootcamps, Live Free educates community leaders, government officials, and law enforcement about proven violence intervention best practices. The organization partners with leading research institutions including the University of Chicago Crime Lab and Columbia University Justice Lab to develop evidence-based leadership development programs. On the advocacy front, Live Free mobilizes thousands of faith leaders and directly impacted community members to demand effective public safety policies and adequate funding for community violence intervention initiatives at local, state, and federal levels. The organization has strategically invested millions of dollars in community-based organizations nationwide, providing on-the-ground training and coaching to thousands of leaders. Live Free's track record speaks to measurable impact: CVI programs supported by the organization have been launched in major cities including Oakland, Sacramento, Stockton, Indianapolis, Detroit, Birmingham, Montgomery, Orlando, and Oklahoma City, resulting in thousands of fewer shootings. These investments have generated billions of dollars in public funding for violence intervention initiatives and catalyzed significant criminal justice reforms across the country.