Unheard: Philadelphia gun violence survivor Dashawn Walker tells his own story in this short documentary he co-produced with filmmaker Jessica Griffin, who is also a photojournalist with The Philadelphia Inquirer. Support was provided by the Credible Messenger Reporting Project at the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting. Dashawn was also a 2023 intern at PCGVR, working with staffer and fellow survivor Oronde McClain, who also appears in the film.
Unheard was the final production from our previous Credible Messenger Reporting Project. Community-based experts interested in influencing media narratives are now encouraged to explore Survivor Connection, our groundbreaking program that connects journalists with the survivor community.
Core to our mission of interrupting America’s gun violence narrative is amplifying the voices of victims, survivors, and communities that have, for far too long, been missing from the stories about their experiences. We have supported a number of other projects to help you understand the experiences of those impacted by gun violence. Here are some of the projects we have supported.
THE SECOND TRAUMA
The Second Trauma is a 25-minute documentary that explores the impact of the media on various gun violence survivors and co-victims, including PCGVR team member and The Second Trauma producer Oronde McClain, while offering solutions for better reporting. It was produced in collaboration with the Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting at Temple University, To request a screening, reach out.
CREDIBLE MESSENGER REPORTING PROJECT
Through our Credible Messenger Reporting Project, lived-experience experts amplify the root causes of gun violence, while exploring possible solutions, all from a perspective that is often overlooked, underplayed, or ignored in stories about gun violence: the community. With the goal of learning from each other, each community journalist was paired with a professional working journalist. These unconventional reporting teams leveraged their combined experience to produce and distribute independent, community-driven journalism. Below are some of the projects we’ve supported.
LIFE WITHOUT HER
Six mothers talk about their daughters, each of whom lost her life to gun violence. Community gun violence prevention activist and victim advocate Zariah Lomax created this project in collaboration with journalist Rhonda Heckstall, with production by Immortal Vision Studies.
PHILLY TRUCE
An exploration of one non-profit’s work to save young men of color from lives of crime, while examining roles of historic movements in Philadelphia’s Black communities.
Credible Messenger Mazzie Casher created this project alongside reporting partner Chelsea Scruggs, with editing by Nathan Unuigbe and videography by Eric Quay.
Sitting on the Steps
The untold stories of sibling grief. Credible Messenger Aja King was a high school senior when she lost her only brother, Emir Greene, to gun violence.
Aja worked with journalist Amanda DeJesus and video producer Milan Peele to create this project.
The Life of Marcus Yates
A family shares the impact of losing their five-year-old son and brother, Marcus Yates, while discussing the enduring problems of — and unimplemented solutions to — drugs and guns in their community.
Credible Messenger Malcolm Yates worked with journalist Monique Curry-Mims to produce this three-part project.
Commentaries on Gun Violence Prevention
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A series of guest commentaries amplifies narratives that are often missed in gun violence reporting.
Gun violence survivor, prevention advocate and Credible Messenger LuQman Abdullah worked with journalist Jessica Blatt Press to publish this series in The Philadelphia Citizen.
Unsolved
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Community advocate Ikey Raw speaks with Tiffaney Flynn, whose daughter Ojanae Thompson’s murder remains unsolved.
Ikey has dedicated his life to amplifying the stories of families grappling with unsolved murders. He collaborated with journalist Yvonne Latty to create this podcast.
They Don’t Care About Us — or Do They?
A rare look at the impact of gun violence on those who are shot and survive.
Credible Messenger Oronde McClain worked with reporting partner Cherri Gregg and video producer Brett Williams to share his story and the story of other survivors.
Stronger Every Day: Healing After Gun Violence
A mother shares her family’s journey of survival after gun violence, drawing on the voices of her son who had been shot and the trauma surgeon who cared for him.
Credible Messenger Tashawn Strother created this project with Emily Previti and Stephanie Marudas, with mixing by Brad Linder.
Not Giving Up
Brandon “B. McFly” Chastang discusses the intersections of addiction, mental health, trauma and violence, plus solutions, with Suleiman Hassan of Soldiers for Recovery.
This is one in a series of videos created by Brandon alongside journalist Sammy Caiola and Credible Messenger video producer Chris Mansfield.
Humanity Behind the Headlines
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Credible Messenger Tyler Campbell tells the story of Black men surviving the streets of Philly in this long-form report.
Tyler worked alongside journalist Dana DiFilippo, with photographs by Ronald Gray.
Never Ending Emotions
A rollercoaster of life-changing events follows the murder of a family member, with a discussion of potential solutions to Philadelphia gun violence.
Credible Messenger Kimberly Kamara worked alongside videographer and editor Gregory Greer and professional journalist Erin Flynn Jay to produce this documentary.
The Lasting Impact
A mother’s journey through grief. Our very first Credible Messenger Maxayn Gooden illustrates the lasting impact of losing her son, Jah’Sun, to gun violence.
Maxayn created this documentary alongside Credible Messenger video producer Taj Devore-Bey and reporting partner Chris Hepp.
The Path Forward
Four mothers discuss losing their sons to gun violence, including learning to survive their grief.
Credible Messenger Dorothy Johnson-Speight worked with journalist Denise James to create this short documentary.
Numb to Normalcy: Gun Violence in America
Three Philadelphia college students discuss gun violence in their community.
Credible Messengers Ahmad Mitchell, Taylor Dixon-Moore and Yolanda Brutley-Dugger created this documentary with Proof of Consciousness (P.O.C.) and assistant directors Aapril Rice and Alisha Laws.
Voices Beyond the Gunfire
Elevating the voices of those most at risk. This five-part interview series includes conversations with lived-experience experts who share their innovative solutions to gun violence. Credible Messengers Darrell Holloway, Edwin “Tony” Murchison, Angela Sears, Brian Wallace and Joshua Cosby worked with journalist Solomon Jones to curate this series. Listen: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5