About Us

Shooting 4 Peace is a grassroots community based sports ministry initiative. Launched in 2016, after the Freddie Gray incident in Baltimore City. Amid the turmoil and unrest happening all across  Baltimore City. Shooting 4 Peace was able to bring professional athletes in from all over the country, to galvanize people and organizations in the community/hoods, and Put the neighbor back in the hood, Recreate neighborhoods throughout Baltimore and across the country.

We use sports and sports principals to meet youth and their families where they are, connect with them and then teach them many transferrable life skills i.e. self – confidence, discipline, accountability, leadership, goal-setting, teamwork, decision-making and interpersonal skills just to name a few.

We know that sports is a great unifier, it crosses socio-economic lines, racial lines etc. It brings people together for a common cause. That cause for Shooting 4 Peace is to INSPIRE PEOPLE TO DO WHAT THEY ARE INSPIRED TO DO!

Our Mission.

To provide continuing mentoring, academic, tutoring, and athletic programs to young people from high poverty, urban neighborhoods with the aim of developing their individual commitment to pro-social values of personal responsibility, leadership teamwork, community service and respect for others.

Core Values.

  • Our Youth

  • Fiscal Integrity

  • Diverse Ideas, Belief, and Cultures

  • Community Leadership and Service

  • Commitment and Accountability

  • Academic and Althletic Achievement

Our Founder.

Ray Sydnor

NFL Veteran, Motivational Speaker, Pastor

Reverend Ray Sydnor is a retired NFL player, community organizer, and ordained minister who specializes in both a youth ministry and sports ministry. He is a loving father who lives by example, influences others to play an active role in encouraging, empowering, and impacting the lives of those in their community.

Ray has been involved in sports for more than 30 years, which includes playing for both the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers. Ray’s extensive background in athletic excellence can be attributed to his success in football and basketball at Northwestern High School in Baltimore. It was his athletic talents there that earned him scholarships to the University of Wisconsin where he continued to excel in basketball and football. This is what subsequently led to his NFL post with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Ray served for several years as the national spokesman for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Helping to steer our youth in the right direction is how and where he invests most of his energy, time and talents. His passion to make a difference in the lives of all people is evident in all he does. Ray has served as youth Pastor at Mount Pleasant Church and Ministries in Baltimore. He also served as youth pastor at Brooklyn Tabernacle in Brooklyn New York, where he lead a thriving youth ministry.

In 2002, he founded Mentoring Academics Athletics in Partnership (MAAP), a grass-roots community program based in Baltimore Md. He also founded Shooting 4 Peace, an anti-violence initiative that includes youth, community leaders, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as professional athletes.

A Baltimore native, Ray travels the USA extensively. Wherever the Lord leads him, Rev. Raymond L. Sydnor will prayerfully go!

I proudly serve as the Community Engagement and Event Coordinator for Shooting 4 Peace, where I dedicate myself to fostering unity and empowering youth through meaningful programs and initiatives. My work allows me to coordinate school assemblies, lead impactful events like the Celebrity Basketball Game, and develop youth-centered experiences such as sports clinics and motivational workshops.

With a passion for building connections and creating positive change, I manage logistics, sponsor outreach, promotional campaigns, among many of our workshops, mentorships and clinics, ensuring that every event reflects our mission to combat violence, inspire positive choices, and unite communities.

Together we can bring the neighbor back into the hood!

  • Community Engagement and Event Coordinator

    For me, Shooting 4 Peace is more than a job—it’s a purpose. I am honored to use my role to inspire communities, create lasting change, and empower young people to see their potential and believe in their future.

See us in action.

We show up across the country to steer youth in the right direction

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Our Pillars of Excellence

  • Academic Excellence

    We deploy tutors help students complete homework assignments.

  • Leadership Excellence

    Youth leaders discuss topics such as drug and alcohol prevention, anti-violence, building self-esteem, integrity and ethics.

  • Athletic Excellence

    Area coaches instruct students on the fundamentals of the game of basketball, good sportsmanship, teamwork and leadership.

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