The Non-Violence Project and Gun-Violence Survivor Kylie Ossege to Rally for Peace at the US Open

MEDIA ADVISORY

The Non-Violence Project and Gun-Violence Survivor Kylie Ossege to Rally for Peace at the US Open

**Friday, 8/29, 8:30 a.m. at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center**

FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY — On Friday, August 29, The Non-Violence Project Foundation, a global nonprofit applying education and creative arts to inspire non-violent conflict resolution, will rally the tennis world with a customized tennis-themed Non-Violence “Knotted Gun” sculpture during the 2025 US Open in New York.

The recognition highlights the positive impact of influential women in tennis who are rallying the world with social-justice advocacy — particularly around gun violence prevention, youth empowerment and community resiliency. The honor follows past NVP activations across the culture of professional sports, including recent alignment with the WNBA.

The presentation will be led by Kylie Ossege, a Michigan State University student, gun violence survivor and prevention advocate. A tennis enthusiast and player, Kylie is the first appointed Youth Ambassador for NVP-USA. Following her recovery from multiple surgeries, Kylie received support from legendary Women’s Tennis Association voices, including Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff and Billie Jean King. Both Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka have used their platforms to speak on the urgency to address gun violence, underscoring how women’s tennis continues to lead by example on this critical issue. Kylie will present the custom sculpture on behalf of The Non-Violence Project globally, a launching pad for the campaign to raise awareness across the professional tennis landscape, particularly US-based tournaments throughout 2026.

WHAT: Presentation of tennis-themed Non-Violence Project sculpture

WHO: 

• Kylie Ossege, gun violence survivor and advocate
• The Non-Violence Project leadership
• Special guests from the professional athlete community (pending match schedules)

WHEN: Friday, August 29, at 8:30 a.m. ET

WHERE: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, located in Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York City, next to the USO globe sculpture

ABOUT THE NON-VIOLENCE PROJECT

The Non-Violence Project (NVP) is a non-profit organization with a mission to inspire, motivate and educate young people on how to solve conflicts peacefully. The Knotted Gun, created by Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd after his friend John Lennon was shot to death, is one of the world’s most recognizable symbols of peace, the original on permanent exhibition at the entrance to the United Nations. NVP Artist Ambassadors to date include Sirs Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr and late Muhammad Ali. NVP was founded in 1993 in Switzerland and has educated 10 million young people, teachers and sports coaches across five continents.

ABOUT KYLIE OSSEGE

Kylie Ossege is a survivor of the 2021 Oxford High School shooting in Michigan, in which four students were killed and another six students and one staff member were injured. Kylie was the last survivor to leave the hospital, six weeks after a bullet passed through her clavicle and ribs and exited her back, causing a spinal cord hematoma. A high school tennis player, Kylie received support from the professional women’s tennis community during her recovery. Fourteen months later, Kylie was a freshman at Michigan State University when a shooter killed three students and injured five others. Soon afterward, Kylie underwent spinal surgery at Northwell Health’s Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City to address complications from her gunshot injuries. She is now the Co-Leader of the MSU chapter of March For Our Lives.

*RSVP to john.mckenna@nonviolence.com

Media Contact:
John A. McKenna
john.mckenna@nonviolence.com

310-880-4380 mobile