Can We Build Community? Yes, We Can!

Helping schools, cities, and civic leaders build bridges where others see barriers.

Bob the Peacebuilder Services

  • Community Engagement Strategy

    👥📍For: Schools, nonprofits, and city departments looking to engage communities with care and intention.

    What It Does: Develops tailored engagement plans, facilitates broad and diverse conversations, and helps strengthen relationships across local networks.

    Why It Matters: People already hold the answers. This work helps bring their ideas forward, connect them to others, and build the support needed to create real change.

    Start Strategizing

  • Cross-Sector Collaboration Workshops

    Grounded in Collective Impact theory, these sessions help groups align efforts, build trust, and design focused, collaborative strategies across departments or sectors.

    What It Does: Create events or initiatives while building the skills to facilitate and coordinate across groups.

    Why It Matters: Resources are limited. These workshops help you use time and funding more strategically—so collaboration multiplies impact, not confusion.

    Plan a Workshop

  • The Declarations of Interdependence

    A powerful outreach tool that turns values into action.

    What It Does: Brings people together through participatory art, inviting them to physically sign a large-scale Declaration if they agree to end violence, end prejudice, and achieve respect for all.

    Why It Matters: It’s hard to start meaningful conversations. The Declarations offer a simple, striking way to engage communities, spark dialogue, and build shared commitment.

    Host a Declaration

Meet Bob the Peacebuilder

Bob Schlehuber is an organizer, producer, and artist helping people and institutions build stronger cross-cultural relationships and community impact. Bob designs events, tools, and workshops that foster connection across sectors, cultures, and communities.

With two decades of experience in civic organizing, participatory art, and cross-sector collaboration, Bob has led projects both locally and globally—from major universities to city agencies and grassroots movements.

He is the founder of Peacebuilding Connections, a Returned Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine. In 2024, Bob was honored with the Innovation in the Arts Award from the Rockford Area Arts Council, recognizing his ability to blend creativity with civic impact. His work spans public art installations, university-led trainings, community justice tours, and cross-sector workshops—demonstrating both wide interest and deep competency across diverse audiences.

Credentials

  • M.A. in International Peace & Conflict Resolution, American University

  • B.A. in Communication & Political Science, University of Illinois

  • Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Youth Development, Ukraine (2009–2011)

Community Partners: Stanford University, American University, Peace Center at Northwest Vista College, Southern Poverty Law Center, Rotary International, Amnesty International, National Peace Corps Association, Giffords, Moms Demand Action, Working Families Power, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, Mosaic Theater Company, Rockford University, Rockford Park District, Jacksonville Community Action Committee, Tallahassee Community Action Committee, ANSWER Coalition, Miami Center for Racial Justice, #Justice4DJ Movement, Mutual Aid Movement DC, Siblings of Murdered Siblings, FSU Civil Rights Institute

See the Work in Action 

  • Community Engagement Strategy at Stanford University

    🌲 At Stanford, Bob partnered with student life, faculty, administrators, and local nonprofits to address public safety through connection and education. Together, they conducted stakeholder mapping, designed outreach plans, and co-hosted events that fostered cross-cultural understanding and built stronger campus-community relationships.

    Why It Matters: More people were informed, more people were connected, and collaboration across campus became more intentional and sustained.

  • Cross-Sector Collaboration: #Justice4DJ Movement

    To support the movement for DJ Broadus, Bob worked alongside local nonprofits, faith leaders, educators, families, artists, and government agencies. Through stakeholder outreach, town halls, and public actions—including marches and a multi-city bus tour—the project helped diverse groups coordinate strategy, share resources, and speak with a unified voice.

    Why It Matters: Complex problems like racial injustice require coordinated solutions. This work showed how alignment across sectors can amplify impact and build momentum for meaningful change.

  • 🎨 Declarations of Interdependence: DC Government + Universities

    In partnership with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, American University, and a wide range of local institutions, Bob led participatory art activations that invited students, professionals, and community members to co-create a public Declaration of Interdependence. Through workshops, installations, and curated events, the project became a visible platform for shared values.

    Why It Matters: These experiences offered a simple yet powerful way for people to connect—with each other, and with the values they hold. The result: stronger relationships, deeper reflection, and momentum that extended well beyond the event.

Schedule a Conversation with Bob the Peacebuilder

As Featured In

Bob’s peacebuilding, art, and community organizing efforts have been recognized in leading publications worldwide. Here are some highlights:

What Partners Are Saying

  • “I’m beyond impressed by Bob's process, from project ideation to the final product.”

    Dr. Caroline Light, Harvard University

  • “Bob is a rare example of an exceptionally creative, dynamic, and resolute organizer who belongs at the top of anyone’s list of the next generation of truly gifted leaders of America.”

    Peter Yarrow, Peter, Paul & Mary

  • “Bob’s ability to engage and inspire students is unmatched. Well done!”

    Professor Bob Sicina, American University

  • “Bob's peacebuilding work fosters a powerful sense of belonging across diverse cultures.”

    Andrew Gray, Resident Life, Stanford University

  • "Bob showed us that if you are passionate about something, you can make a difference, and there is always something you can do to help people..."

    Cate Paterson, Bethesda Chevy Chase High School

  • Your fan club grows! No surprise there. Largest of thanks for coming to the class. You wowed the students.

    Colman McCarthy, Peace Educator and Journalist

  • Bob's Peace Corps service was especially notable as he showed such wide range versatility. Bob will be a wonderful addition to any organization or project that would have him.

    Douglass Teschner, Peace Corps Ukraine, County Director

Bring Bob the Peacebuilder to your community — and turn your ideas into action.