On Friday, May 16, residents, political leaders and community organizations gathered at the Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village in Flint for a community conversation focused on stopping gun violence. The event, which ran from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., invited people from across the city to join an open dialogue about the resources available, the challenges faced and the steps that can be taken together to make Flint safer.

Participants discussed what the community already has in place to address gun violence, what more can be done and how everyone can work together to create change. The conversation was supported by groups like North Flint Neighborhood, the Ruth Mott Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, End Gun Violence Michigan and State Senator John Cherry.