The First National Latino Leadership Convening on Gun Violence
March 20, 2024 | Diana Guardado
Discover the transformative power of unity at the National Latino Leadership Convening on Gun Violence, where 100 leaders ignited toward sustainable, community-driven solutions for preventing firearm injuries, deaths, and trauma.
We’re thrilled to announce the groundbreaking National Latino Leadership Convening on Gun Violence, hosted by the Hope and Heal Fund, which took place in Los Angeles on February 27-28! This historic event brought together 100 visionary Latino leaders from across the country to further efforts to address firearm deaths, injuries, and trauma in the Latino community. This convening was a vibrant celebration of unity, offering participants an opportunity to spark meaningful conversations, forge new partnerships, and drive culturally relevant resources. We’re just getting started on this path of impactful dialogue and action within Latino communities nationwide!
Riding the wave of enthusiasm and collaborative spirit from the convening, it’s crucial to address why this convening was not only timely but necessary. Since we know Latinos are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, the need for this convening was urgent. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control highlights the severity of this crisis nationally, revealing nearly 24,000 Latino lives were lost to firearm suicide and an additional 47,000 to firearm homicides from 2001 to 2021. The impact of firearm injuries, deaths, and trauma on the Latino population in this country is disproportionate, and we need equitable solutions to solve this problem.
The conference created a safe space for leaders to share their stories and be their authentic selves. Attendees from all over the country with diverse lived experiences shared their stories, interwoven with the conference’s overarching goal, underscoring the critical need for tailored, community-driven solutions that honor cultural identity and leverage community wisdom in the fight against gun violence.
Taking advantage of the insights and momentum gained from the National Latino Leadership Convening on Gun Violence, we will continue to create spaces for inclusive dialogue on how to serve the specific needs of Latino communities. Recognizing the critical insights shared by participants, we are committed to exploring innovative strategies beyond conventional gun violence prevention methods. The inputs and efforts from participants will continue to foster environments where discussions on preventing firearm injuries and deaths can lead to tangible, impactful solutions. By prioritizing race equity and public health, Hope and Heal Fund continues to pave the way for a future where every individual, regardless of their background, can live free from the fear of gun violence.