Community leader DeAngelo Harris-Rosa, proudly identifying as Afro-Boricua and serving as Deputy Director for the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Violence Prevention, received recognition from the White House for his dedicated efforts in curbing gun violence and spearheading community-based programs.
On February 9, 2024, Harris-Rosa graduated from the University of Chicago Crime Lab’s Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA) ceremony held at the White House. He was one of 31 leaders selected from community organizations and government agencies across 21 U.S. cities to participate in this specialized 6-month management and leadership training initiative.
The CVILA program empowers senior and executive leaders in the field of community violence intervention (CVI), especially those working in minority communities disproportionately affected by gun violence. It equips them with essential skills to amplify the impact of their organizations and advance the field.
Participants like Harris-Rosa underwent hands-on training from expert practitioners and scholars in areas such as program management, staff retention, data literacy, evaluation, and organizational development. The curriculum aims to develop well-rounded and skilled CVI leaders capable of enhancing public safety and addressing the underlying risk factors and socioeconomic disparities contributing to gun violence.
«I acknowledge the collaborative efforts with community members, organizations, and public officials dedicated to tackling gun violence nationwide,» said Harris-Rosa, expressing humility and gratitude for the recognition.
He emphasizes the collective journey towards becoming effective change agents, leveraging lived experiences and institutional knowledge to navigate the complex challenges associated with gun violence.
Since 2015, Harris-Rosa has played a crucial role in combating gun violence through his work with the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention. This involves overseeing day-to-day operations, evaluating violence prevention strategies, collaborating with local law enforcement, and implementing evidence-based practices and models that identify and address the root causes of violence in Black, Brown, and Latinx communities.
More information on the Office of Violence Prevention can be found here. More information on the CVILA can be found here.
