What is the Soul Box Project?
The Soul Box Project is an art-based, community-building initiative designed to raise awareness about the gun violence epidemic in the United States.
Participants create hand-folded origami boxes, which they can decorate to honor and commemorate lives lost to gun violence—whether through homicide, suicide or accidental discharge. Many contributors also use these boxes to share personal stories, calls to action or even include memorabilia inside. Each box becomes a deeply personal tribute, collectively representing the victims of gun violence in a visually powerful way.
What is the purpose of this project for its participants?
The Soul Box Project highlights a critical and often overlooked aspect of gun violence awareness. While the public focus is typically drawn to mass shootings and sensationalized headlines, the reality is that gun violence claims lives every day. The project seeks to emphasize the staggering regularity of these deaths and bring attention to the individuals behind the numbers.
For example, in Anne Arundel County alone, there were 50 gun-related deaths in 2023—the highest number recorded since monitoring began in 2016. This averages out to nearly one death per week. These figures represent more than statistics; they reflect real people whose names may never make the news. The Soul Box Project acknowledges these individuals by uplifting their stories and highlighting the often-overlooked human toll of gun violence in our communities.
Why is the Soul Box Project so impactful?
The project’s impact is especially striking when hundreds of these Soul Boxes are displayed together, each telling its own story. Much like the AIDS Memorial Quilt, this project transforms statistics into a tangible, emotional experience. As Leslie Lee, the founder of the Soul Box Project has observed, emotion—not statistics—often spurs action and inspires change.
Interested in hosting a Soul Box Project event?
The Anne Arundel County Department of Health can provide supplies and information about the project. To coordinate your event, please inform us at least three weeks in advance, and complete the Soul Box Registration Form. Once the form is completed, allow up to 72 hours for someone to contact you.