Trace Live: Safer Together
Join The Trace on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 2:00 to 7:30 p.m. at WHYY studios to learn more about what’s working to reduce gun violence in Philly and elsewhere. Attendees will hear behind-the-scenes insights, expert analysis, and frontline perspectives from dynamic speakers. Between panels, networking breaks will provide opportunities to connect and collaborate.
Trace Live: Safer Together Forum Agenda
2:00 - 2:30 PM Registration
2:30 - 3:00 PM No Going Back: Strategic priorities for sustained progress against community violence
David Brown, Executive Director, Civic Coalition to Save Lives
Adam Geer, Chief Public Safety Director, City of Philadelphia
Moderator: James Burnett, The Trace
3:00 - 4:00 PM New Frontiers in Community Violence Prevention
Chico Tillmon, Executive Director, Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy, University of Chicago
Matt Rader, President, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Caterina Roman, Temple University
Deion Sumpter, Deputy Director of Violence Prevention Initiatives, City of Philadelphia
Ben Struhl, Executive Director, Crime and Justice Lab, UPenn
Moderator: Chip Brownlee, The Trace
4:00 - 4:30 PM Networking break with food and drinks
4:30 - 5:00 PM Keynote Conversation: Where we go from here
Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, interviewed by Mensah M. Dean, The Trace
5:00 - 5:45 PM Community Perspectives: Keeping our young people safe
Pastor Joseph H. Budd Jr., Men Who Care of Germantown
Maleka Jackson, youth programs director, Imani Star Development
I’jazz Carter, youth program participant, Imani Star Development
Ma’isah Young, youth program participant, Imani Star Development
Moderator: Joy Resmovits, The Trace
5:45 - 6:30 PM Maintaining the Momentum: What it will take for Philly and other cities to continue driving down gun violence
Greg Jackson, ex-Deputy Director of the White House Office of Violence Prevention
Patrick Sharkey, Princeton University; author of “Uneasy Peace”
Adam Garber, Executive Director, CeaseFirePA
Helen Ubiñas, former Philadelphia Inquirer columnist
Moderator: Roxanne Patel Shepelavy, Philadelphia Citizen
6:30 - 7:30 PM Networking reception with food and drinks