"Escaping poverty, I operated a business, managed a winning campaign and became nationally involved in gun safety activism. Fulfilling a last promise to my father, I work with amazing groups like PeaceJam and Gun Neutral to spread hope, love and change. With you my fellow Americans, I'm overjoyed to bring peace, love and unity to the world's people."

Name:  Shaman Ananda Kirkland

Org:      Maine Gun Safety Coalition

Jessica is a creative arts therapist and the lead therapist of Camp Shine. Camp Shine is the arts therapy program created by SHINE Marjory Stoneman Douglas students Sawyer Garrity and Andrea Pena designed to give the Parkland community, and beyond, an opportunity to process and express their feelings around gun violence. Jessica is passionate about fostering creative space for people who have experienced trauma.

Name:  Jessica Asch

Org:       Shine MSD

"I have been working on the front line of violence prevention for over 30yrs helped architect the NYC Crisis Management System, Peace Week in New York City & The Orange 4 Peace campaign to bring attention and awareness to the work around violence prevention around the nation. The Crisis Management system is one of the major reasons  for NY being the safest big city in America two years in a row."

Name:  Erica Ford

Org:       NYC Crisis Management System

Robbie works with life camp and several local/ national organizations put their pain on beats. Giving them the tools to express their hurt  in song or rap to avoid incidents of violence on their self or others. He has personally witnessed and lost so many friends to Senseless violence he knows that he must continue to use his gift to shift mindset.

Name:  Robert Robbie Nova Smith

Org:       LIFE Camp, Inc.

AU called by all is mostly known as the "Chief Of Streets" intervening in incidents between police & community. He successfully helps young people avoid attacks of brutality as well as keeps peace and builds community relations. He leads the Violence Interrupters & VIP Specialist in resolving conflicts that can lead to lost of life or injury.

Name:  Robert AU Hogan

Org:       LIFE Camp, Inc.

"Our 24 yr old daughter was slaughtered in the Aurora Theater Massacre (Batman movie) on July 20, 2012. Since then we have responded to 11 mass shootings to help survivors begin to understand their traumatic experience and begin to redefine their lives."

Name:  Sandy and Lonnie Phillips

Org:       Survivors Empowered

Brooke is an ever-changing arriviste merging fashion, education, and marketing to foster equity and inclusion. The Howard University graduate has advanced the movement to end gun violence, promote body positivity, racial and social justice through her powerful fashion designs, communications management, animation and different mediums of artistic expression.

Name:  Brooke Baker

Org:       Youth Over Guns

Andrea is an 18-year-old Indigenous-Latina Queer activist and an advocate for marginalized youth. She has been mobilizing young people since she was 15 years old. She does work around gun violence prevention and educational justice at the intersection of race, gender, and class. She is currently the Director of Operations at Youth Over Guns.

Name:  Andrea Alejandra Gonzales

Org:       Youth Over Guns

"I have been fighting for peace in Chicago since the murder of my brother Terrell Bosley April 4th 2006.  Through The B.R.A.V.E. youth leaders I have led rallies and protests, mentored and tutored youth, done voter registration campaigns, and etc. My number one goal in life is to save lives."

Name:  Trevon Bosley 

Org:       B.R.A.V.E. Youth Leaders

John Barnitt attended MSD High School in Parkland, FL. After 17 of his classmates/teachers lives were unjustly lost, John gathered with fellow students to organize the March for Our Lives. He moved on to become one of the lead organizers for the Road to Change and is currently working on projects to increase awareness for gun violence and campaigns to get students involved in the political arena.

Name:  John Barnitt 

Org:       March For Our Lives

"An alumni of Parkland, I co-founded the March For Our Lives protest. Operating as the chief strategist, I spearheaded the record-breaking 2018 electoral strategy. My younger sister and brother lost friends in the shooting. I was just getting to know Joaquin when he was killed. We were working on an art/activist project together and now he's helping me save lives every single day."

Name:  Matt Deitsch

Org:       March For Our Lives

"I am a 21 year old college student. Being disabled activism is a way of life. I refuse to accept that watching my generation die is normal. As a Latina, Our voices need to be being amplified in this movement as well. I do this work, because this violence doesn’t discriminate."

Name:  Daphne Frias 

Org:       March For Our Lives

Saeeda is an Executive Director Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities. She has personally and professionally experienced gun violence by losing family members, friends, service participants and youth she has worked with. Her childhood had moments of running from shootings in parks and city streets; hoping we all got home safely.

Name:  Saeeda L. Dunston

Org:       Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities

Lianna is a LCSW. As an experienced woman, she does not remember a time in her life without gun violence. In her childhood her 15 year old friend was killed by a stray bullet leaving the grocery; another friend at 17 shot became a paraplegic. Later in life she remembers 3 out of 7 nights filled with the sound of gunshots.

Name:  Lianna Lee

Org:       Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities

Gladys is a domestic and gun violence survivor, on October 5, 2005 she was shot in the back by an abusive lover. As a result she was paralyzed from the waist down. Since then she has transitioned from, wheelchair; to walker; to cane; to now walking on her own for short distances.

Name:  Gladys Marzette

Org:       Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities

Maurice, a domestic violence survivor affected by gun violence. During an abusive relationship of 12 years she was confronted by him with a gun to her head. Her brother was shot and killed at the age of 29 and at the age of 12 she was threatened with a shotgun during an attempted sexual assault.

Name:  Maurice Baldwin

Org:       Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities

On May 19, 2004, his nephew was shot 19 times in Brooklyn. He had to identify the body, dress and bury his 21 year old nephew of which to this day no-one has been charged nor found in this murder. His sister died less than 9 months later from a broken heart.

Name:  Eric Malik Hutchinson

Org:       Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities

Denielle shares that growing up in public housing was scary at times.  Not being able to stand too close to the windows, certain holidays hearing mixture of gunshots and firecrackers.  Knowing where to go if they started shooting in the courtyard. Today she is still cautious about being outside during certain holidays and still jumping at loud noises.

Name:  Denielle Francis

Org:       Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities

Javontre was raised in Charlotte, NC in an area where gangs were well known. Javontre followed a path in the performing arts which led to a college scholarship, Alvin Ailey’s school of dance and continued success. Unfortunately, his brother who he loved deeply followed a different path. He was a member of a gang, spent time in jail and died in a gang robbery when he was shot in the back after robbing a convenience store for his gang. Javontre used his brother’s death as a catalyst to push himself further.

Name:  Javontre Booker

Org:       Arts Empowers

In 2017, Nadine's 15-year old son, Rohan Levy was shot and killed in Brooklyn on his way to play basketball. Nadine started the Rohan Levy Foundation to honor her son by providing resources and support to youth and families impacted by gun violence in Brooklyn communities of color. 

Name:  Nadine Sylvester

Org:       Everytown + Moms Demand Action

Jessica is a Freshman at La Guardia Community College majoring in Theater Arts. Jessica participated in Generation Citizen's Action Civics program in 2018, and her class focused on addressing the issue of police brutality. She is a member of the Theater of the Oppressed and has worked with them on creating shows highlighting the effects of gun violence in her community.

Name:  Jessica Silva

Org:       Generation Citizen + Theater of the Oppressed

Make Our Schools Safe was founded by Lori and Ilan Alhadeff, who lost their beautiful 14-year old daughter Alyssa to the brutal shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL on Valentine's Day 2018. The org's mission is to make schools safe for all kids in all schools. 

Name:  Lori Alhadeff

Org:       Make Our Schools Safe