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
2:00 - 2:30 PM Registration and refreshments
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, Philadelphia Horticultural Society
Deion Sumpter, Director, Group Violence Intervention, 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 Dean, The Trace
5:00 - 5:45 PM Community Perspectives: Keeping our young people safe
Pastor Joe Budd, Men Who Care Germantown
Maleka Jackson, youth programs director, Imani Star Development
I’jazz Carter, Imani Star Development youth program participant
Ma’isah Young, Imani Star Development youth program participant
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-Director of the White House Office of Violence Prevention
Patrick Sharkey, Princeton University; author of “Uneasy Peace”
Caterina Roman, Temple University
Adam Garber, Ceasefire PA Executive Director
Helen Ubiñas, former Philadelphia Inquirer columnist
Moderator: Roxanne Shepelavy, Philadelphia Citizen
6:30 - 7:30 PM Networking reception with drinks and delicious bites