In a city still healing from the wounds of gun violence, the Inaugural Wear Orange Gun Violence Awareness & Prevention Summit brought a powerful wave of unity, purpose, and hope to Richmond.
Organized by Keyz 2 The Future, a survivor-led nonprofit spearheaded by tireless advocate Keycha Gallon, the event drew a vibrant and emotional crowd determined to break the generational cycle of trauma and violence plaguing the community.
Held at CoBiz Richmond, the summit featured raw testimony, healing-centered art, and powerful calls to action. But what made the day unforgettable were the heartfelt moments of solidarity—grieving families holding space for one another, youth stepping boldly into leadership, and survivors turning pain into purpose.
“We’re not just wearing orange—we’re breaking the cycle.”
“This isn’t just about remembering those we’ve lost,” Gallon said with unwavering resolve. “It’s about building something better for those who are still here. We’re not just wearing orange—we’re breaking the cycle.”
Keynote speakers Reverend Wanda Johnson, mother of Oscar Grant who was killed by a BART police officer in 2009, and Dionne Jackson-Goree, a mother who recently had a son life taken to gun violence advocated for healing justice, delivered powerful addresses that left the audience in tears and inspired. “Healing begins when truth is spoken aloud,” Dionne Goree declared. “And today, Richmond stood in its truth.”
The summit also featured a moving speech from youth speaker Loren Matthis, who shared his own journey navigating trauma and hope in Richmond. “We are the next generation of change,” she told the audience, “and we have the right to grow up without fear.”
Organizations partnered from several different cities to ignite this movement, demonstrating that Richmond’s fight against gun violence is part of a broader, interconnected community effort.
Several community organizations were honored for their tireless work in gun violence prevention and youth empowerment, including 1 Hundred Years Enterprise; RBR Scholarship Foundation; HEBLENZ; M2HO (Motivated 2 Help Others) and A safe space for healing and art.
With trauma-informed art therapy, poetry, and interactive activities, attendees found avenues for healing and self-expression. Participants created floral arrangements, painted memorial rocks, and engaged in restorative circles. The day was capped with survivor proclamations — sacred acknowledgments for families who have endured the unthinkable.
What’s next?
Following the summit, Gallon and her team are calling for a Community Action Plan, to be shaped by the voices of those most affected. “We’re not going to let this momentum die,” Gallon said. “This is just the beginning.”
For many in attendance, the summit wasn’t just another event—it was a movement in motion. And as the community continues to mourn, mobilize, and mentor the next generation, one thing is clear: Richmond is rising.
A new chapter for Richmond
In a city often overlooked and underfunded, this summit was proof that transformation starts from within. From the survivors to the youth, from the mothers to the mentors, the message rang clear: We are the movement. We are breaking the cycle. And we are just getting started.
“This is how we take our power back,” said Gallon. “By refusing to let the streets define us. By lifting each other up. And by choosing to heal—together.”
Follow @Keyz2TheFuture for updates and ways to get involved. To support this work, donate to keyz2thefuture.org.
This report was submitted for publication by Keyz 2 The Future.
