Inside Out Academy plans gun violence awareness walk in Mound Bayou

Inside Out Academy will gather Mound Bayou residents at Taborian Hospital at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, June 6, for a Gun Violence Awareness Walk, a public show of support for peace, healing and safer streets.

The event, called Steps for Peace, is designed to bring together survivors of gun violence, young people, parents, churches, community organizations and other local residents. Organizers are asking participants to wear orange, the national color of gun violence awareness and prevention, so the walk carries a clear visual message as it moves through the community.

The goal is not only to remember the damage violence has already caused, but to push Mound Bayou toward organized action. Inside Out Academy says the walk is meant to strengthen community bonds, encourage dialogue and show that residents want to answer violence with public unity rather than silence.

After the walk, Inside Out Academy plans to host a Youth Healing Forum for younger participants. The forum is intended to give students and other youth a space to talk about the effects of violence, share personal experiences and discuss pathways toward healing and positive change.

That second step gives the event a direct public health dimension. Gun violence does not end with the moment of the shooting; it leaves behind trauma, fear, disrupted routines and long-term damage to families and neighborhoods. By pairing a public walk with a forum for young people, Inside Out Academy is trying to meet both the visible and the lasting harm.

The event is open to the public, and organizers are inviting families, faith-based groups and civic leaders to take part. For Mound Bayou, the message is immediate and specific: show up at Taborian Hospital, wear orange and help turn a morning walk into a community commitment to peace and safety.