The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute broke ground on a new center over 30 years in the making — steps from the ground where the institute’s namesake lived, went to school and was killed.
“That’s my backyard,” said Institute founder and CEO Clementina Chery, Louis D. Brown’s mother. “Across the street is where my three children went to school. Four Corners is what’s considered one of the most eclectic neighborhoods, and one of the most violent neighborhoods. We are going where the violence is. We are going to show and transform.”
The new headquarters of the Peace Institute, named for Chery’s 15-year-old son who was shot and killed in 1993, will be located at 30 Westville St. across from Up Academy Dorchester. The Boston-based nonprofit has served the local area since 1994, providing support to families and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief and loss. The organization offers community and l healing services survivors and community re-entry services.
Over the years, the organization has expanded to deliver trainings and support across the country, but Chery said she’s looked for a location to expand the organization’s capacity since the very beginning.
On the L-shaped plot of land, the plan is to build a 19,000 sq. ft. center with “public and private spaces for survivor and reentry support services, counseling, youth programming, training, and arts and movement therapy,” according to the organization. The new site will also feature outdoor spaces for gatherings, meditations and community events.
The institute broke ground in mid-September and is immediately looking to raise funds to begin construction. The plan is to move into the new space in 2027, Chery said.
“Our total Campaign for Peace goal is $25 million, but we really need $10 million to begin construction in the first quarter of 2026,” Chery said.
The institute is looking to raise $500,000 through grassroots fundraising, encouraging the people to host events and gatherings like a Setting the Table series, which brings people together to discuss the programs and services with Chery.
Denella Clark, co-chair of the Campaign for Peace, said the campaign is “a call to action and a meaningful investment in healing and justice.”
“As a survivor, I know the difference this work makes,” said Clark. “This center, built by and for survivors like me, represents real, lasting transformation. It is the heart of a growing movement —one that saves lives, uplifts families, and builds safer, more resilient communities across the country.”
At the groundbreaking, Mayor Michelle Wu called the institute “basically another branch of government.”
“They are infrastructure that is embedded in our city,” said Wu. “They are the holder, the power, behind so many of our community members.”
According to the institute’s reports, its programs have served over 42,000 people and trained more than 7,500 over the last 30 years. The work in Community Violence Intervention programs alone decrease violence by over 30%, the institute states.
Chery said the new center will be “a staple and a legacy for our community.” The economic impact of the new center is estimated to 108 initial jobs created for construction and 50 jobs within the new headquarters in the community.
“I can go anywhere else, but why would I go anywhere else and leave my community?” Chery said. “That’s the transformative power of investing in where you live, and the center is that legacy. So we will not be seen as a community where bad things happen.”
More information about the fundraising Campaign for Peace is available at ldbpeaceinstitute.org/get-involved.
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