The story of Curtis Toler, a champion of peace, is an extraordinary account of resilience and redemption. Curtis’s journey to becoming one of Chicago’s leading authorities on gang culture began as a youth growing up on Chicago’s south side. Historically known for its violence, Auburn Gresham became the training ground for Curtis’s later life as an underground boss. 

Curtis’s early exposure to violence was not willingly sought-after. Finding his mother ruthlessly murdered by his stepfather led Curtis on a path in search of power and respect. While most young men his age were beginning to enjoy the care-free stage of teenage youth, Curtis would be forced into adulthood at the age of sixteen.  The death of his mother ended his childhood as he knew it and changed how he interacted with the world.

In search of power, dominance, and success, Curtis eventually found himself in the company of one of Chicago’s most respected gangsters since Al Capone – the unrivaled Jeff Fort, leader of the Blackstone Rangers (also known as EL Rukns). Curtis joined the organization, and quickly rose to a position of leadership. Curtis’s history and street reputation connected him to Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabinas Catholic church. Together, they founded the Peace League, and Curtis was able to transfer his prior experience as a gang leader into negotiating ceasefires among rival gangs. Curtis skillfully executed peace treaties in the summertime when the violence always reached its peak. 

As providence would have it to be, pain met purpose, and Curtis’s destiny became realized. Curtis bridged rival gangs together through basketball to create a compelling space for healing and redemption. Curtis became the spokesperson for Father Michael’s organization, and slowly, his life began to heal. 

Faith, courage, and perseverance played a pivotal role in Curtis’s 180 – degree turn in life, and soon the entertainment industry took notice. His expertise around gang-mediation began to spread rapidly. Curtis’s natural ability for strategic thinking, leadership, and mediation placed him in high demand with film-makers, entertainers, politicians, and the 44th President of the United States – President Barack Obama.  Curtis’s incredible resume includes a guest appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, consulting work on Spike Lee’s film, Chi-raq, and advising Lena Waithe and entertainer/activist Common for the Showtime television series The Chi.

Currently, Curtis works as the Director of Outreach for Chicago Cred, a violence reduction organization led by the former Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan. Curtis is leading the charge of training a new generation of violence interrupters and outreach specialists.