Speakers will include: 

Shani A. L. Buggs, PhD, MPH, is an Associate Professor with the Centers for Violence Prevention at the University of California Davis Health. Her public health and health policy expertise includes structural and social drivers of violence and safety, firearm violence prevention, community-level violence intervention and prevention, transformative first response strategies, and comprehensive community safety. Dr. Buggs has secured federal, state, and private funding to lead research projects intended to reduce health disparities related to violence exposure, involvement, and survival. Striving to always center the experiences of those most impacted by interpersonal and structural violence, her research informs policies and practices to foster equity, safety, and well-being for all families and communities. Dr. Buggs is also the co-founder and Advisory Committee Chair of The Black & Brown Collective for Community Solutions to Gun Violence, a multidisciplinary network organization committed to rigorous and equitable research in service of the prosperity of communities disproportionately harmed by violence.

Danté Johnson supports the National Community Strategies team at The Annie E. Casey Foundation with a focus on community violence. His work centers on advancing strategies for prevention and intervention and strengthening community capacity to lead and sustain these efforts. Committed to building safer, more resilient communities, he brings a deep dedication to equity and grassroots engagement in addressing the root causes of violence.

About the Webinar Series: 

This event is part of a 2025-2026 webinar series designed to strengthen the capacity, confidence, and visibility of researchers, community-based organizations, and other leaders advancing solutions to prevent firearm-related violence.

View Past Webinar Recordings