Hundreds of viewers tuned in across the country to watch Advancing a Community-Based Model for Violence Prevention, the 21st National Health Equity Research Webcast. The annual live-audience, interactive symposium explores the intersection of health, policy, and diversity through panel discussions with experts and a question-and-answer session.

“There are no easy answers to complex problems for violence prevention,” said UNC School of Social Work dean Jack Richman, who introduced this year's webcast. Richman highlighted places where the School’s projects were making an impact in North Carolina in addressing violence prevention.

“The communities know what they need,” said panelist Pamela Jumper Thurman, affiliate research professor, Ethnic Studies Department and National Center for Community Readiness at Colorado State University. “We need to listen to them first.”

Thurman, who was joined by two other groundbreaking panelists, shared her experiences of working with marginalized communities, especially native communities, to reduce interpersonal violence. She advocated for utilizing existing community resources and community readiness to mobilize to build stronger and more effective efforts in both research and service, thereby creating a sustainable and community-supported model for change.

Nia Wilson, executive director of SpiritHouse in Durham, moderated the panel, which framed violence as a public health issue and provided examples of evidence-based practices that empower communities, schools, and local organizations to prevent violence.

“Violence is contagious,” said panelist Frank Perez, the national program director for Cure Violence. “It cannot be viewed as something the criminal justice system takes care of.”

Perez outlined the Cure Violence philosophy, which shifts violence from a criminal justice issue to a public health issue with solutions. With over a decade of experience working with underserved communities in Chicago, he challenged the audience members to reflect on the bias towards incarcerated youth and their potential to be change-makers within their communities.

Panelists also discussed strategies to mobilize stakeholders by affirming strengths and encouraging culturally competent problem-solving.

“A disproportionate number of black boys are dying because of violence,” said panelist Leon T. Andrews Jr, the director for Race, Equity And Leadership (REAL) at the National League of Cities. Andrews discussed two initiatives through which the National League of Cities brings together mayors, community leaders, youth, and local stakeholders to reduce violence.

Prior to the webcast, Andrews, Wilson, and webcast planning committee member Stephanie Baker-White shared their expertise on violence prevention strategies and the importance of community-based solutions on UNC-TV ‘s Black Issues Forum.

Representatives from multiple campus departments and partner institutions created the National Health Equity Research Webcast in order to help build knowledge about health disparities and their impact on local and global communities. UNC Diversity and Multicultural Affairs and the Gillings School of Global Public Health host the webcast in collaboration with several institutional partners that include FPG.

Watch this year’s webcast, “Advancing a Community-Based Model for Violence Prevention.”