Episode 39 - Leon Ford

Leon Ford is an author and activist who wants to open a non-profit art gallery in Pittsburgh that showcases powerful works but also serves as a hub for community connection and dialogue. Leon has real life experience to make this happen. When he was 19 years old in 2012, Leon was shot five times by a Pittsburgh police officer as he was racially profiled during a case of mistaken identity. He has been paralyzed ever since. 

He is a man of his word. He wrote a book about what happened to him called “An Unspeakable Hope” which was published by Simon & Schuster. In it he explains how he faced these new truths and discovered the power of forgiveness and letting go of his hatred. He explains how his harrowing experience inspired his lifelong commitment to social activism. 

Now he hopes to have a Gallery space that emphasizes that art is more than an industry—it’s a medium for healing, storytelling, and social impact. Leon grew up in Pittsburgh and has been an art collector and advisor in the community for years. He is also the founder of The Hear Foundation, the first and only nonprofit in Pittsburgh dedicated to collaborating with community leaders, Police, and residents to create a safe, thriving community for all.