Rev. David W. Brown’s new mission to combat gun violence in Philadelphia is deeply personal, stemming from a life-changing experience nearly 50 years ago when he survived an attempted drive-by shooting. This encounter left an indelible mark on the assistant dean for community and communication at the Klein College of Media and Communication, instilling in him a sense of urgency and commitment to saving lives in communities ravaged by violence. 

The Civic Coalition to Save Lives partners with Temple and other agencies to save lives by supporting the city and community organizations focused on gun violence intervention through increased coordination and resourcing. The coalition, comprised of over 100 community organizations, businesses and civic institutions, has named Brown its new executive director. He will take on this new role while continuing his work at Temple, where he has been a key figure in building community partnerships.   

“I am very excited because I can make a difference in the world for many at risk of gun violence,” Brown said in an interview. “I survived a botched drive-by shooting; the gun never fired but it scared me off the street. This is my lived experience.”

Brown, a seasoned communications expert and collaborative leader, said this new leadership role will deepen collaboration and strengthen the coalition's coordinated response to the gun violence crisis. He succeeds Estelle Richman, the founding executive director, who led the coalition with her experience in public health and social services. Richman mobilized more than $1.5 million in grants for gun violence intervention programs and established a wide-reaching network of organizations dedicated to reducing gun violence. Richman will continue contributing as a member of the coalition's steering committee and the board of the Gun Violence Intervention and Coordination Center, an organization born from the coalition to coordinate citywide efforts on violence intervention.

Temple has been an early and major partner with the coalition, exchanging resources and support through its network of connecting communities to expertise.

“David’s appointment as executive director of the coalition is a natural and important progression of his work at Temple University,” said Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Impact Valerie Harrison. “Having been deeply involved in Temple’s efforts to reduce violence, especially in North Philadelphia, the Temple community is excited to see his expertise and dedication further strengthen the collaborative efforts of government agencies, organizations and individuals making a lasting impact in neighborhoods across Philadelphia.” 

Expressing his honor to continue Richman’s work, Brown highlighted his commitment to expanding the coalition’s reach and fostering collaboration across communities and sectors. His successful past roles, including being named a ‘Champion of Change’ by the Obama administration and his leadership at WURD, Philadelphia’s Black-owned talk radio station, instill confidence in his ability to lead the coalition.

As a founding member of the coalition, Pedro Ramos, CEO of the Philadelphia Foundation, emphasized in a statement Brown’s capacity to engage diverse stakeholders and advocate for effective intervention strategies. His deep ties to the community and collaborative leadership style have garnered the support and confidence of key stakeholders, reassuring the coalition about Brown’s leadership.

David Boardman, dean of Klein College, highlighted the alignment of Brown’s new role with Temple University’s ongoing efforts to address pressing community issues, especially gun violence.

“We’re especially excited about being able to leverage the resources of Klein College, and our talented students and faculty, to help address the profound challenges of gun violence in Philadelphia,” he said.

Shawn McCaney, executive director of the William Penn Foundation and a coalition co-founder, echoed these sentiments in a news release, emphasizing Brown’s ability to engage varied audiences and influence policy on gun violence prevention. His strategic insight will be vital as the coalition aligns its efforts with broader governmental initiatives, ensuring its interventions remain impactful and relevant.

Brown’s collaborative spirit and strategic vision are key to the coalition’s future success. Under his leadership, the organization will continue to focus on community engagement, resource allocation and developing innovative strategies to tackle Philadelphia’s gun violence crisis.

“Our goals are prevention and immediate intervention and better coordination of the groups working on this,” Brown said. “As I consider my own grandson, I am even more committed to making sure we lessen the impact of gun violence on people who are likely to have it perpetrated against them.”