Open city data indicate that 1,163 people were shot in Philadelphia during the first six months of 2022, indicating a 7.5 percent increase when compared with the same period one year earlier. Read more.
Brandon Chastang, better know as B. McFly, interviews Suleiman Hassan of Soldiers for Recovery in this first video in a series he recently produced for our Credible Messenger Reporting Project. They discuss intersections between addiction, mental health, trauma and violence plus their views on solutions and some upcoming efforts. WHYY gun violence prevention reporter Sammy Caiola was the professional partner on this project and Chris Mansfield was the Credible Messenger video producer. Come back soon to catch the rest of this report.
In this extraordinary and intimate new conversation between two mothers who have each lost a son to gun violence, our community engagement manager Maxayn Gooden interviews Kimberly Kamara about her experience participating in our Credible Messenger Reporting Project.
Kimberly produced “Never Ending Emotions,” a short documentary featuring a series of interviews which address the emotional rollercoaster of life-changing events following the murder of a family member and discuss possible solutions to gun violence in Philadelphia. Maxayn was also a Credible Messenger community journalist in our first cohort last year.
Tashawn Strother, a community journalist from our Credible Messenger Reporting Project, hosts an audio documentary sharing her family’s journey after her son Walter Willis was shot and critically wounded on New Year’s Eve in 2019. Voices include our Director of Research Dr. Jessica Beard, who is also the trauma surgeon who cared for Walter – and Walter himself. Thanks also go to the Independence Public Media Foundation, The Stoneleigh Foundation and Kouvenda Media. Listen now:
Now you can also listen to the full 30-minute conversation between Anthony Orozco at WITF and our Director of Research Dr. Jessica Beard about her role in “Stronger Every Day,” but also on what drives her, our current research, some preliminary findings and better news reporting practices.
This documentary was produced by gunshot survivor Oronde McClain while participating as a community reporter in the Credible Messenger Reporting Project at the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting. The professional reporting parter was Cherri Gregg and the video producer was Brett Williams. Above: Photograph of Semaj Obranty and Oronde McClain by Cherri Gregg. Both were shot in the head at age 10.
Watch and listen to three intimate and informative interviews with gunshot survivors — conducted by a gunshot survivor — and then read his deeply personal account of the journey from victim to storyteller: “They Don’t Care About Us” or Do They?
Community Engagement Manager Maxayn Gooden speaks with gunshot survivor Oronde McClain about his recent journey as a community reporter participating in the Credible Messenger Reporting Project here at the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting. Listen and then watch Oronde’s new video documentary and read his story: “They Don’t Care About Us” or Do They?
Thanks to new and continuing funding from the Independence Public Media Foundation, the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting is now accepting applications for a third cohort in our Credible Messenger Reporting Project. This initiative empowers people impacted by gun violence in Philadelphia to report on root causes, lived experience and possible solutions from the community perspective. Credible Messengers are paired with advanced professional journalists to learn from each other and leverage their combined authority to produce and distribute news reports. Financial support is available for all participants. More info: Credible Messenger Reporting Project
The Center hosts an interdisciplinary research collaborative that is exploring the intersection of gun violence, impacted communities and the media. More info: Research at the Center
Our Director of Research Dr. Jessica Beard is the corresponding author of a new study reporting that more women and children were shot, especially Black women and children, following the enactment of COVID-19 containment policies.
Study: Preventive Medicine | Press release: Temple Health
What does the most ethical, impactful and empathetic reporting look like when covering community gun violence? Our Director of Research Dr. Jessica Beard participated in this media panel addressing the role and responsibilities of the media. Click to play now, read about the event at Billy Penn and feel free to embed this video from YouTube.
The featured speakers and moderators for the conversation included:
Ernest Owens, President, Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (Moderator)
Denise Clay-Murray, Reporter/Editor, The Philadelphia Sun
Jessica Beard, Trauma Surgeon, Temple University Hospital and Director of Research, Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting
Tyrique Glasgow, Founder, Young Chances Foundation
Mazzie Casher, Director, PHILLY TRUCE, Inc. & Co-Creator, PHILLY TRUCE APP
Dr. Dorothy Johnson-Speight, Founder & National Executive Director, Mothers in Charge
Beatrice Forman, Digital Culture Journalist, Billy Penn (Digital Q&A Moderator)
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We collaborate with journalists and news organizations to advance best practices and support the most ethical and impactful reporting on community gun violence. More info: Better Gun Violence Reporting
In preparation for the Summit, we invited 15 Philadelphia journalists who play some role covering gun violence to spend a day with 30 residents from deeply impacted communities.
If you or someone you know is suicidal, in crisis, or in need of general mental health support, please know help is available. You can contact your physician, local hospital emergency room, or any of the hotlines, text lines, web chats, and support groups listed below. Most are free and confidential resources. Many are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: 741741
• Lifeline Chat web chat service
• Samaritans’ Helpline: (877) 870-4673 (available in 240+ languages)
Journalists: Take this online course on Responsible Reporting on Suicide. (You can audit for free or pay to get certified.)
