The C.I.V.I.C. Baltimore Initiative will add value to The Justice Thurgood Marshall Center (JTMC) at P.S. 103 by bringing a blend of applied academic research, youth engagement, violence intervention programming, health advocacy, and professional development education in the area of ethical public leadership to the beloved community of West Baltimore, MD.
A dynamic speaker series applied gun violence intervention research, juvenile diversion programming, and student-centered social justice education are just a few exciting aspects of this multifaceted initiative, which will transform the JTMC into a forum where solutions addressing the systemic challenges confronting Baltimore can be advanced in partnership with, for, and by West Baltimore community leaders.
Dr. Joseph Richardson Jr., MPower Professor of African-American Studies, Medical Anthropology and Epidemiology, brings his nationally recognized gun violence work with the UMD PROGRESS Initiative and his violence research lab TRAVAIL to PS103.
Dr. Richardson currently has two studies situated in Baltimore: Tale of Two Epidemics: Understanding the Convergence of the Coronavirus and Gun Violence Among Black Women in Baltimore and the Victim-Offender Overlap: Comparing Firearm Violence from Trauma Units and the Police in Baltimore. PS103 will provide a platform for Dr. Richardson to continue his work on culturally competent mental health approaches for violently injured Black men in Baltimore.
Having a presence at PS 103 provides the opportunity to develop and facilitate innovative community engaged research in Baltimore communities particularly in the neighborhoods of West Baltimore. It provides the opportunity to be more grounded in the local community which strengthens our credibility, visibility, and accessibility to foster trust and rapport the foundational aspects of community driven research. Although homicides are declining in Baltimore, the city has experienced a significant rise in teenage victims of gun violence in past years. Being situated at PS 103, provides the opportunity to work with schools, communities, families, and youth to understand what is driving this increase.
Related Resources
Dr Joseph Richardson | Faculty Profile
The C.I.V.I.C. Baltimore Initiative at The Justice Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center
