Credible Messenger Reporting Project production updates: June, 2024

The Credible Messenger Reporting Project empowers people impacted by gun violence 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 independent news reports, with support provided by the Center.

New release: Life Without Her

Six mothers talk about their daughters, all under ages 23, who lost their lives to gun violence in Philadelphia. Some were athletes, musicians or just great young women who had their whole lives ahead of them until they were snatched away.

Community gun violence prevention activist and victim advocate Zariah Lomax was the Credible Messenger community journalist behind this report. Local television news producer Rhonda Heckstall was the professional partner. Immortal Vision Studies produced the video.

The producers hope to bring change and awareness by supporting the families and informing possible future perpetrators who might remember the suffering and loss.


Coming soon: The Unheard Side

Teenage gun violence survivor Dashawn Walker of Philadelphia directs his own story in this upcoming short documentary with video producer Jessica Griffin.


Video trailer: The Credible Messenger Podcast

Maxayn Gooden, Credible Messenger Reporting Project community manager at the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting, introduces survivors and co-survivors of gun violence in our upcoming podcast.


Preview: Traditions In Peace

Retired professor of dance Dr. Benita Junetta Brown brings 15 dancers, choreographers, drummers, community experts, production support staffers and others together to produce Traditions in Peace: Exploring the impact of African philosophies like good character, the Seven Values of Life, and the Nuguzo Saba on youth education and development.