URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) -- A Champaign minister says he's seen too much violence lately in his community, and he's trying to give people tools to make a positive change.

Herbert Burnett is the pastor of New Free Will Baptist Church. Recent events like the shooting at Oakwood Trace apartments last month pushed him to host the "Healing Our Hood" conference.

Thursday night, speakers from across the country were brought in to try and help people in the city fight back against violence.

"We have some great speakers again, and we plan to equip people with not only hope but information, and hopefully the people can take it to their different spaces," Burnett said.

Friday's conference will have breakout sessions, and people attending will be able to ask questions to today's speakers.

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