Before Kevlon Kirkpatrick became involved with the Peace and Justice Institute (PJI), he had not taken the time to truly reflect on who he was or how he affected others. As a police officer with the City of Orlando, Kevlon was deeply committed to service and helping his community.
Kevlon was exposed to PJI in 2016 when he attended four Orlando Speaks events, a community dialogue series intended to strengthen relations between police and residents throughout the City of Orlando. He participated in a session at Lake Nona High School and was immediately moved by the openness, trust, and genuine connections made.“It made me think differently about myself and others,” he recalls. Energized by the experience, he continued volunteering and was eventually invited to serve on a PJI Advisory Council. That invitation was a turning point in his PJI involvement.
Through his growing involvement with PJI, Kevlon discovered a space that encouraged vulnerability, reflection, and honest dialogue, something he believes the world needs a lot more of. “PJI taught me how to be vulnerable in spaces where I normally wouldn’t,” he reflects. Kevlon continued, “It helped me embrace being honest and sincere, not just with others, but with myself.”
This transformation also had a powerful impact on his professional life. Kevlon became a more thoughtful presenter. “It’s about windows and mirrors,” he explains. “I’ve learned how to help others see themselves, and also expand the lens through which I see people.”
At the core, PJI gave Kevlon permission and encouragement to lead with love. He now approaches his daily life with more compassion and intention. Whether it’s greeting someone with a smile, asking how they’re doing, or simply pausing to breathe in a stressful moment, he carries the lessons of PJI with him. “Everyone is going through something,” he says. “We have to be mindful of our words. You could be talking to someone who’s hurting or talking to an angel.”
For Kevlon, PJI represents more than a series of workshops or initiatives. It’s a practice of togetherness. It’s a community built on empathy and shared humanity. And it’s a place where people can discover how to become better versions of themselves. “PJI helps you reflect,” he says. “You come away understanding yourself more, and ways to be a better person for others.”
Looking to the future, Kevlon sees PJI continuing to shape his path. Its principles align deeply with his philosophy and desire to live a purposeful life. Inspired by the poem The Dash, which speaks to the space between the dates on a gravestone, Kevlon is focused on filling his “dash” with love, growth, and connection. “It’s about leading with love always.” He encourages others to run toward PJI and embrace everything it has to offer.
