A former executive director of the Nonviolence Institute in Providence has died.
Cedric Huntley worked there for 23 years and served as the executive director from 2020 to 2023.
In a statement, Mayor Brett Smiley and the police department said through his commitment to nonviolence, Huntley left "a legacy of compassion, dedication and transformative impact."
Providence Police have released a statement this afternoon:
"As the former director of the Nonviolence Institute and a tireless advocate in our community, Cedric’s legacy of compassion, dedication and transformative impact will continue to inspire us all."
Col Bradford Connors - the RI State Police Superintendent said, "“Members of the RIPCA were saddened to learn the news of the passing of Cedric Huntley, former Executive Director of the Nonviolence Institute. A friend of law enforcement, Cedric worked tirelessly to bring people together to find common ground. His passion for teaching young people that nonviolence is the solution undoubtedly saves countless lives. The State of Rhode Island and especially our urban areas have benefitted from Cedric's lifetime of work."
"I hope everyone will remember his message when he said, “I challenge each of you to act on your impulses to be kind by sharing and giving each day. One act of kindness per day can create an energy that will generate more energy which will lead to more acts of kindness. This is how we change the cycle. This is how we change the world, Superintendent Connors said.
Funeral Services have not been announced yet.
(Photo provided by Providence Police Department)