in 2018 in which no Baltimore residents were killed. The February 2018 ceasefire also began a stretch of 11.5 days without murder in Baltimore. This was the first time the city had experienced this since March 2014. Bridgeford gave credit to everyone in the city who had been tirelessly doing good work for years. When murders occurred during the first two Baltimore Ceasefire weekends, residents were called to show up at the murder locations to pour light and love into the space and into the traumatized community. This began a new campaign, "Don't Be Numb", which encourages Baltimoreans to notice when people are killed, and to remember that each life lost is a loss for all of Baltimore. This also gave birth to Sacred Space Rituals, in which residents go to murder locations to make them sacred ground. Bridgeford's efforts started a grassroots movement and "awakened a sense that the cycle of killing can be broken and that the power to do it lies in our own hands." She was named Marylander of the Year "for bringing hope to Baltimore in some of its bleakest hours." In 2020, research published by the American Journal for Public Health showed that there was an estimated 52% reduction in gun violence during ceasefire days and no evidence of a postponement effect on either the next 3 days or the next 3-day weekend following each ceasefire weekend. Awards and distinctions 2017: Marylander of the Year, The Baltimore Sun 2017: Gloria Hertzfelt Unsung Award, Baltimore State's Attorney's Office 2017: Invited to give a TED Talk 2017: Peacemaker of the Year, Baltimore Community Mediation Center 2017: Best Baltimorean, City Paper 2015: Outstanding Volunteer Contribution to Victim's Services, Maryland Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention References External links Ted Talk: "How Baltimore called a ceasefire" Video: Erricka Bridgeford featured on WBAL-TV Video: Erricka Bridgeford Reflects on Baltimore Ceasefire Weekend. Baltimore Magazine. November 8, 2017. Video: Documentary featuring Erricka Bridgeford. Maryland Citizens Against State Execution (CASE). March 27, 2013. Living people People from Baltimore American social activists American community activists Nonviolence advocates Activists from Maryland African-American activists American anti–death penalty activists 1972 births 21st-century African-American people 21st-century African-American women 20th-century African-American people 20th-century African-American women