Readout of the White House’s Meeting with Community Violence Prevention Experts

Today, Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice and White House Deputy Public Engagement Director Adrian Saenz hosted a virtual discussion with community leaders from cities across the United States to discuss community-based violence intervention programs and other evidence-based programs to reduce gun violence and make our communities safer.

Every single day people are dying in America from gun violence. Ambassador Rice and Deputy Director Saenz expressed gratitude for the participants’ advocacy efforts, policy recommendations and their leadership in addressing the public health crisis ripping through America’s communities, especially Black and Brown communities. They underscored President Biden’s commitment to taking further steps to make our communities safer, including an expansion of community-driven interventions with a proven track record of success. Participants agreed to continue working together to advance policies that address this crisis and the root causes of gun violence.

Participants in today’s meeting included:
 * Eddie Bocanegro, Heartland Alliance
 * Dr. Shani Buggs, University of California – Davis
 * Antonio Cediel, Faith in Action
 * Mike De La Rocha, Revolve Impact
 * Erica Ford, Life Camp, Inc.
 * Greg Jackson, Community Justice Action Fund
 * Fatimah Loren, Health Alliance for Violence Intervention
 * Oresa Napper-Williams, Not Another Child
 * Anthony Smith, Cities United
 * Dr. Chico Tillmon, YMCA