White House focuses on Gun Violence in Black Communities

By Jihad Hassan Muhammad
Texas Metro News

Greg Jackson is no stranger to the gun violence that so often plagues Black and Brown communities.

After surviving a bullet which hit two arteries and nearly cost him his life, Jackson lives today to tell his story, and do something about gun violence, as the White House’s Deputy Director of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

“Regardless of my background, my experiences, my education, when I entered that emergency room I was just another Black man shot and was treated as such,” Jackson recalled.

It wasn’t a good feeling and he also grew tired of very little solutions accompanied by many excuses from elected officials regarding this “scourge in Black communities.”

Jackson says it’s something he never forgot, which helps to fuel his efforts today.

After a decade of work to help others as a community organizer, campaign strategist, experienced advocate and communications professional, he was invited to this new office established by the White House last year on September 22, 2023.

The office focuses on violence between two individuals that share a community or know each other but are not related. “What we are seeing in Black communities is that these inter-personal conflicts, arguments, and blow ups, are what’s been surging violence in our communities,” said the deputy director.

His office has recently become the beneficiary of legislation resulting in $250 million which will be afforded to community violence prevention programs.

One such organization is Not Another Child.

Founded by Oresa Napper Williams, who has vowed to work to prevent violence after she lost her son, Andrell, an innocent bystander in a shooting.

Following Andrell’s death in 2006, Williams, in dealing with her grief, tried to help others.

“I started a basketball game called Playing for Change,” Williams said, adding that the ongoing game led to what is now Not Another Child (NAC).

Today she serves as the Executive Director of Not Another Child Inc., an advocacy organization which is continuing to impact communities of color to combat gun violence and support the grieving families.

On February 10, Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown held a gun buyback event providing individuals with $100 gift cards for handguns, and $125 cards for long guns. No ID was required to participate. The sheriff was praised by NBA great Shaquille O’Neal, who is a licensed deputy in several states.

“Our first countywide gun buyback program was a success,” said Brown, adding that they were able to dispose of more than 135 “unwanted guns.” “Close to 100 cars lined up on Saturday to properly dispose of unwanted firearms. This tells me my department fulfilled a need in the community. It is my hope to continue to provide law enforcement services to Dallas County that helps address accidental gunn violence.”

The Biden-Harris Administration recognized the week of February 5th as Community Violence Awareness Week. As part of the week’s announcements, the Department of Justice announced their Community Safety Program Plan which outlines over 3800 funding opportunities to address community safety across the country and encourages programs aiding to prevent gun violence to seek these grants.