Cobe Williams is the real deal. We have worked together for over a decade now. Noah’s Arc Foundation, my organization, leads citywide basketball tournaments for peace, working in collaboration with Cobe. This work wouldn’t be possible without him. In fact, Cobe is the work. He makes it happen. Cobe inspires me. Truth. His passion, his work, his integrity. It is inspiring.

I came to know Cobe well while working on the documentary film The Interrupters. We spent fourteen months filming, and it quickly became clear how much respect Cobe had on the street, especially among younger people. He’d walk in a neighborhood, and we could hear his teasing and his laughter from a block away. He has this uncanny ability to make people laugh along with him – even in the tensest of situations. 

Cobe is a literal force in this field. He’s the ultimate networker, relationship builder, and champion of community violence prevention work. My first time hearing him speak was during a training in my city, where we were working to implement the Cure Violence model about 8 years ago. I was inspired to say the least. He leaves you feeling compelled to engage in change, as well as hopeful that change is possible. His energy and passion for the work are infectious. I count it a privilege and an honor to co-labor with him in the work of saving lives and healing communities. 

​Ricardo Cobe Williams is by far the most knowledge, committed, skilled, competent and effective expert and trainer of gun violence intervention. I have had the opportunity to work with him over the past five years as we have developed Mississippi’s first gun violence intervention program.

Cobe Williams is a pillar of his community and of the anti-violence movement worldwide. I’ve worked with Cobe for over 10 years and I’ve learned so much from him. He is a beloved figure, inspiring generations towards peaceful conflict resolution. The world is a better place for Cobe’s tireless efforts, and his efforts are far from done. It is an honor to call him my friend.