Great Lakes Wire

MPHI has announced the receipt of a grant from Arnold Ventures to support research into gun violence prevention initiatives, such as MPHI’s Advance Peace Initiative. Arnold Ventures is a philanthropic foundation focused on improving American lives through evidence-based policy solutions.

The Advance Peace Initiative aims to prevent gun violence via the Peacemaker Fellowship program, which offers mentorship to individuals most likely affected by gun violence. Since its start in 2022, it has shown success in reducing gun violence in Lansing and Ingham County. This success has spurred interest in researching the effectiveness of such initiatives for community safety and social justice.

“The Peacemaker Fellowship is built on trust, mentorship, and accountability,” said DeVone Boggan, Founder and CEO of Advance Peace. “This research will shine a light on its transformative potential, ensuring communities across the country benefit from proven strategies to disrupt cycles of violence.”

The research seeks to identify what makes programs like Advance Peace effective and how these strategies can be applied nationwide. MPHI collaborates with the Center for Global Healthy Cities at the University of California, Berkeley, the Litmus Program at New York University, and Advance Peace for this study.

“This collaboration exemplifies the power of public health-focused solutions to address complex societal challenges,” said Dr. Paul Elam, Chief Strategy Officer at MPHI. “By rigorously evaluating the Peacemaker Fellowship, we aim to provide policymakers and practitioners with actionable data to reduce gun violence and save lives.”

The study aims to bridge real-world impact with research findings. Public health initiatives rely on evidence-based strategies; this funded research will supply necessary evidence supporting gun violence prevention programs' results.

“Since its founding in 1990, MPHI has been dedicated to advancing public health through groundbreaking partnerships and rigorous research," stated Dr. Renée Branch Canady, Chief Executive Officer at MPHI. "Gun violence is one such challenge—a public health crisis that demands innovative, evidence-based solutions. This study represents the power of collaboration to uncover strategies that not only reduce gun violence but also promote healing, equity, and resilience in the communities most affected.”