Eddie Bocanegra

Eddie Bocanegra is a nationally recognized expert in community violence intervention, criminal justice reform, and healing-centered approaches to public safety. His journey from Chicago's Little Village neighborhood to the U.S. Department of Justice highlights the impact of accountability and purpose. Bocanegra spent 14 years in prison for a murder he committed at age 17, an experience that shaped his commitment to creating pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals and strengthening community leadership in public safety.

Bocanegra first gained public attention as a central figure in the documentary "The Interrupters," directed by Steve James and produced by Kartemquin Films. The film follows three violence interrupters working to protect Chicago communities from violence. In addition to his work with CeaseFire, Bocanegra founded a therapeutic support group for mothers who have lost children to violence and taught art in schools and summer programs run by Enlace Chicago. He views art programs as therapeutic tools for healing. His work and story have been featured by major media outlets including PBS, NPR, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic.

Throughout his career, Bocanegra has held a series of leadership roles focused on justice reform and violence prevention. He began as a congregational organizer with Community Renewal Society, leading FORCE (Fighting to Overcome Records and Create Equality), a coalition advancing opportunities for people with criminal records. He later served as executive director of the YMCA of Chicago's Youth Safety and Violence Prevention program, overseeing initiatives such as Urban Warriors and Bridging the Divide, which emphasized trauma-informed approaches. Bocanegra became the founding director of READI Chicago at Heartland Alliance, leading a violence prevention initiative that integrates outreach, transitional employment, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Under his leadership, READI Chicago has served more than 1,600 men considered at high risk for gun violence involvement.

Bocanegra served as senior advisor for community violence intervention at the Department of Justice, working with the Office of Justice Programs. He played a key role in developing the Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative, which allocated nearly $300 million to communities nationwide. Bocanegra has held civic leadership roles, including appointments to the Commission for a Safer Chicago and co-chairing the Public Safety and Accountability Commission. He holds a master's degree in social work from the University of Chicago and a bachelor's degree in social work from Northeastern Illinois University.

Bocanegra is recognized for his expertise in violence prevention, intervention, and criminal justice policy. He has presented at the United Nations, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, and institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, and Columbia University. He was selected as the commencement speaker for Northeastern Illinois University, returning to his alma mater as an example of civic leadership and redemption. Bocanegra is regarded as a credible voice on public safety, drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience.