Dr. James McCarty shares his story of the anti-violence community organizing he was a part of in Tacoma, WA, from 2018 to 2021. This work centered on the use of peacemaking circles in neighborhood hubs that sought to prevent, respond to, and facilitate healing after instances of gun violence affecting predominantly poor young men of color, their families, and their neighbors. Dr. McCarty was a circle keeper for circle keepers who were doing restorative justice and peacebuilding work across the city.
SPEAKER BIO
Dr. James “Jimmy” McCarty is a scholar, minister, professor, and community organizer with over twenty years of experience in restorative justice and peacebulding. He is Clinical Assistant Professor of Religion and Conflict Transformation and Director of the Tom Porter Religion and Conflict Transformation Program at Boston University School of Theology. He is an editor of two books including most recently The Business of Incarceration: Theological and Ethical Reflections on the Prison-Industrial Complex (2025) Learn more at https://drjamesmccarty.com and https://canopyforum.org/restorative-justice.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE INSTITUTE
We help people and communities build skills to navigate conflict and foster environments where everyone can thrive. Learn more at https://rjinstitute.org
