February 16, 2024

Recap: VP Kamala Harris recognized Crime Lab’s CVI Leadership Academy at White House

Crime Lab shares a brief recap of the event at the White House along with photos and a recording of the event.

Last Friday at the White House, Vice President Kamala Harris recognized the work of the University of Chicago Crime Lab’s Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA) at an event that acknowledged the accomplishments of its inaugural cohort.

The graduates – who include CVI leaders from 21 cities across America – can now draw on this world-class, six-month education they received to improve their organizations and support their mission to prevent and reduce gun violence and save lives in communities of color disproportionately harmed by the direct and indirect consequences of gun violence.

The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) hosted the event, marking the conclusion of a week of events hosted by OGVP focused on community violence awareness and prevention. Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon, U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs, also provided remarks.

Vice President Kamala Harris with CVILA Executive Director Dr. Chico Tillmon and the 31 graduates of the inaugural cohort. Photo courtesy of the White House.
Clockwise from top left: Vice President Kamala Harris; Maryland Governor Wes Moore; Crime Lab Founding Executive Director Roseanna Ander; CVILA Executive Director Dr. Chico Tillmon. Photos by Tarik Dennie
From left to right: CVILA graduate Myesha Watkins; CVILA graduate Jason Little. Photos by Tarik Dennie.

Following the White House event, the Crime Lab hosted a reception with dinner, drinks, and toasts to honor the graduates alongside their families, colleagues, and partners who made this journey possible.

View more photos from the events.

Watch our latest video about the inaugural cohort of the CVILA.

These events marked not an end but the beginning of the CVILA’s journey toward the continued strengthening of the national CVI ecosystem and our collective commitment to creating safer and healthier communities.

The graduates will draw on this world-class six-month education they received to improve their organizations and support their mission to prevent and reduce gun violence and save lives in communities of color disproportionately harmed by the direct and indirect consequences of gun violence.

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