The Brave Space Podcast

Mrs. Muhammad's dedication and courage to protect and uphold social justice for the marginalized and disenfranchised communities in her hometown, Chicago, IL is longstanding. As a social worker in the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) space, she provides trauma-informed services to the women she supports as the site manager for Chicago CRED's Women's Center.  Brave Space is a he...

Supporting someone through their healing is not a one-way process. During therapy sessions, clinicians may process their personal trauma and experience triggers while working with their clients. Angelica is no stranger to this psychological phenomenon. Angelica is a survivor whose passion for community building led her to serve her community as the Director of the Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) at t...

Kaelyn lost her dad to gun violence when she was only 3 months old. Now at 11 years old and after 4 years of therapy, she is ready to have her voice heard as she speaks on her commitment to stopping gun violence by starting a non-profit.  Watch the full episode to learn more about Kaelyn and her dreams of working in community violence intervention in the future.  Brave Space is a healing place for...

When faced with trials and tribulations, we may often ask God, "Why me?" While searching for answers to her "why," Chainah discovered that her testimony was molding her into an empathetic advocate with the strength to support other survivors through their healing. As the Director of the Survivors Assistance Network at the Newark Community Street Team (NCST), Chainah provides co...

As colleagues on the Newark Community Street Team (NCST), D'Renna and Dre carry out their roles as community violence interrupters with humility and heart. In all that they do, they diligently strive to make their hometown, Newark, NJ, a better and safer place for their families and community members. D'Renna serves as the Director of Field Operations for NCST, and Dre serves as the Supe...

Born and raised in Little Village (a.k.a. La Villita) on the southwest side of Chicago, Guillermo was introduced to street life at an early age. After surviving several near-death experiences, he decided to walk a new path and rediscovered himself in the field of community violence intervention. As a Street Intervention Manager at Enlace Chicago, he supports the very groups he was once at odds wit...

United under the ministry of "reducing violence one community at a time," Red and Fitz are a powerful duo in the Community Violence Intervention space in Portsmouth, Virginia. Where one may fall short, the other is there to fill the gap with their unique expertise. The work born from their teamwork and faith in Christ is a testament to how true brotherhood can bring change to a community...

When the course of your life changes at a moment's notice, believe that you have the power to redirect it. Once a promising student athlete with dreams of the NFL, Garrison suddenly had to pivot when gun violence altered his path. Through sheer resilience, he didn't allow his purpose and smile to wither away. Garrison is a Team USA powerlifter and climber, influencer, author, entrepreneu...

Eddie is no stranger to pressure. Overcoming the pressures of growing up in a community and home riddled with violence and drugs, Eddie worked hard to support his family in any way he could. Unfortunately, family pressure pulled him into a life of dealing drugs, which ultimately led to him falling victim to an armed robbery. Now a T10 complete paraplegic, Eddie helps people with spinal cord injuri...

Director Kwelli Sneed leads the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement in Washington, D.C. Having a voice, independent thought, and making tough decisions are everyday choices Director Sneed has to make as she navigates the challenges of leading a government office.  Watch the full episode to learn more about her work, leadership and the success of frontline community violence intervention p...

Community violence intervention professionals in Washington, D.C. work on the frontlines to keep their communities safe, but life still happens to them. In the midst of experiencing the loss of many friends and family members, Teivon found a passion for helping survivors of gun violence, while also practicing self-care for his own healing.  Brave Space is a healing place for gun violence preventio...

D.C. violence prevention professionals are an essential part of the public safety ecosystem. Ralo, a native Washingtonian, works to keep D.C. youth safe from gun violence because he knows firsthand the consequences of taking the wrong path in life. Through his lived experience and authenticity, Ralo is able to positively influence youth and he is creating tremendous impact in the field of communit...

Marcus grew up navigating the challenges of street culture between Los Angeles and Chicago, which eventually led to his incarceration. After his release, he turned his experience into a mission, working with Chicago Ceasefire to interrupt cycles of violence and train others across the country. Now, as the founder of McAllister Consultancy & Training, Marcus travels widely to inspire and educat...

As Toya shares her story of losing so many family and friends to gun violence, her son begins to comfort her in his own way. Toya says her son gives her hope on difficult days. Toya grew up on the West Side of Chicago, where she experienced gun violence at an early age. Today as a social worker, she gives back to her community by providing therapeutic support and encouraging younger generations to...

Jason — community leader, advocate, and founder/CEO of Compromising Choices — transformed his life after years of being in and out of prison. While incarcerated, he earned his GED and became a GED tutor and evidence-based group mentor, inspiring others and taking the first steps toward lasting change. Today, through his work in community violence intervention (CVI), Jason uses his story to help yo...

Community organizer, activist, and advocate Greg Jackson survived a near-fatal shooting as an innocent bystander in 2013. Following his recovery, he dedicated himself to preventing gun violence. As the former Deputy Director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, he has played a pivotal role in reducing homicides, securing federal resources to build safer communities, and mentoring...

Dr. Chico Tillmon was justice-impacted but discovered his purpose after being introduced to Community Violence Intervention while working as a violence interrupter. Today, Dr. Chico is a leading national consultant on violence prevention and the Executive Director of the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy at the University of Chicago, and he works to reduce crime and violence in Ch...

Ricky “Dip” Usher, grew up around drugs and violence, and lost a lot of close friends before deciding that he wanted to live a different lifestyle. Now as the “Mayor of Mechanicsville,” and the CEO and Executive Director of Wii Care Atlanta, he works to reduce gun violence and promote healing in the very neighborhood where he grew up. Brave Space is a healing place for gun violence prevention prof...

Dr. Jordan Murphy sits down with Erica Atwood, The Deputy of Engagement for Cities United, and Ricky “Dip” Usher, CEO of Wii Care Atlanta to talk about the financial investment from the Coalition to Advance Public Safety (CAPS) in Atlanta-based Community Violence Intervention (CVI) organizations. The investment will strengthen local efforts to reduce community violence by 15% and expand support fo...

After experiencing the loss of friends in his youth, Norman has become committed to making change in his community. Today, he is the Chief Executive Officer of Trajectory Changing Solutions, leading innovative violence reduction strategies in the US and the Caribbean. Norman always works to encourage, inspire, and impact the lives of every person he meets. Peace Can’t Wait! Brave Space is a healin...

Sharmaine Brown is the Founder and Executive Director of Jared’s Heart of Success, an organization dedicated to honoring her son Jared’s legacy. After losing Jared to a stray bullet from an unrelated conflict, Sharmaine created Jared’s Heart of Success to educate and empower youth and young adults through effective communication, conflict resolution, and mental wellness programs.  Brave Space is a...

Jeffery “Gator” Gates started living life with a purpose after incarceration and a firearm injury. Now working with the IVYY Project at Grady Memorial hospital, he motivates and encourages survivors of gun violence to end the cycle. Brave Space is a healing place for gun violence prevention professionals and survivors. We meet. We process. We heal in commUNITY. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Deanna found God and herself while in prison. She now works with other professionals in Atlanta to prevent gun violence through her organization, Chance 2 Change. Brave Space is a healing place for gun violence prevention professionals and survivors. We meet. We process. We heal in commUNITY. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Travis Luke found himself on both sides of the gun. Today he is an author, motivational speaker, and a gang intervention and prevention specialist with a mission to create better opportunities for young people. Brave Space is a healing place for gun violence prevention professionals and survivors. We meet. We process. We heal in commUNITY. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Omar went from serving time in prison to working at the same facility that incarcerated him. He is now an author and a violence prevention professional who mentors young people who are coming home from prison.  Brave Space is a healing place for gun violence prevention professionals and survivors. We meet. We process. We heal in commUNITY. Send us Fan Mail Support the show