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NEWS & PRESS

Stories about
work that matters.

Explore published coverage and recognition, plus ways to connect with the UC team.

PRESS RELEASES

Announcements
from UC.

Official organizational news, partnerships and public announcements from The Urban Conservation.

NEWAUGUST 20, 2026 · PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

The Urban Conservation and We Educate Brilliant Minds Formalize Partnership

UC and WEBM are combining HBCU access and college-navigation expertise with trusted community relationships to expand college access, mentoring and opportunity for young people.

Read the Press Release ↗View partnership details →

FEATURED COVERAGE

The work,
seen from outside.

Reporting that documents UC’s community roots, credible leadership and the people and systems surrounding the work.

Two Minneapolis Group Violence Intervention outreach workers wearing GVI jackets
UC archive image providing Group Violence Intervention context for the 2021 Star Tribune coverage.
01STAR TRIBUNE

Renting can be tough for reformed gang members

Libor Jany reported on the barriers facing people rebuilding their lives after gang involvement, including housing, reentry and the need for credible community support.

JULY 20, 2021 · READ THE COVERAGE ↗
Ferome Brown speaking on camera during the FOX 9 report Trauma and crime: The hidden epidemic
FOX 9 report frame preserved in UC’s public archive.
02FOX 9 NEWS

Trauma and crime: The hidden epidemic

FOX 9 featured Ferome Brown, UC and Minneapolis Project LIFE in its reporting on trauma-informed approaches to violent-crime intervention.

DECEMBER 28, 2018 · READ THE COVERAGE ↗
Ferome Brown speaking with a community member in an The Urban Conservation archive image
UC archive image providing community-outreach context for the MinnPost anti-violence coverage record.
03MINNPOST

After positive results, Minneapolis looks to extend anti-violence program

Coverage of Minneapolis Group Violence Intervention and the community-based work helping the city respond to violence with credible relationships and coordinated support.

DECEMBER 22, 2005 · VIEW ARCHIVE RECORD ↗
The Urban Conservation participants and staff gathered on the steps of a civic building
UC archive photograph accompanying the 2005 Minnesota Public Radio coverage record.
04MPR NEWS

The Urban Conservation program steers kids from gang life

Dan Olson reported on UC’s early gang-diversion work, the demand from young people seeking another path and the lived experience behind the organization’s approach.

UC ARCHIVE · READ THE COVERAGE ↗

FROM THE UC ARCHIVE

Coverage &
recognition.

Read More →
01
Ferome Brown receiving a Community Vanguard Award from National Network for Safe Communities representatives
UC archive photograph of Ferome Brown with the Community Vanguard Award.
2023 · RECOGNITION

GVI Vanguard Award nomination

UC’s archive records a 2023 GVI Vanguard Award nomination for going beyond the call of duty in youth violence prevention.

CURRENT — DOCUMENTATION REVIEW IN PROGRESS
02
Black Business Ball recognition graphic featuring UC founder Ferome Brown and his 2022 Outstanding Community Leadership Award
UC archive graphic documenting Ferome Brown’s 2022 Black Business Ball recognition.
2022 · RECOGNITION

Black Businessman of the Year

UC’s archive records the Black Businessman of the Year recognition and a feature as the first African American male on the cover of Black Business Enterprise Magazine.

CURRENT — DOCUMENTATION REVIEW IN PROGRESS
03
Black Business Ball archive graphic featuring The Urban Conservation founder Ferome Brown
UC archive graphic referencing Ferome Brown’s Black Business Ball nominations and later recognition.
2021 · RECOGNITION

Minnesota Black Business Ball nominations

UC’s archive records nominations for Humanitarian of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year and Youth Violence Prevention of the Year.

CURRENT — DOCUMENTATION REVIEW IN PROGRESS
04
Seven The Urban Conservation community members wearing black 8:46 shirts during social-justice outreach
UC archive photograph from the 8:46 social-justice awareness effort.
ARCHIVE · COMMUNITY VOICE

Michelle A. Brown-Williams at NDSU

UC’s archive highlights Michelle A. Brown-Williams—“Lady Bug”—speaking at North Dakota State University in connection with Black Lives Matter and UC’s 8:46 community-awareness work.

CURRENT — DOCUMENTATION REVIEW IN PROGRESS

FOR MEDIA

Bring credible
community insight
to the story.

Ferome Brown and UC leaders are available for thoughtful conversations about violence intervention, credible-messenger leadership, second chances, youth development and community partnership.

Send a media inquiry ↗

AVAILABLE TOPICS

  • Community violence intervention
  • Lived experience and credible leadership
  • Youth mentoring and development
  • Reentry and second-chance pathways
  • Public-system and community partnership
  • SAFE. ALIVE. FREE. INSTITUTE™