Zaid Gayle

As a teenager, Zaid Gayle founded a teen group through his church that promoted learning and self-expression. That experience launched Gayle into a lifetime of service. In 1998, he created Peace4Kids, a “community-as-family” safe haven for foster children in the violent Watts area of South Los Angeles. At Peace 4 Kids, adult volunteers become a consistent presence in the children’s lives. The program has grown from having no budget to having $1 million annually with 10 full-time staff members and nearly 100 adult volunteers. In addition, Gayle, who is executive director, Peace 4 Kids, in Compton, California, has also been a key influence in foster care reform in California.