Violence Prevention Collaborative of Metro Atlanta

Program Overview

The Violence Prevention Collaborative of Metro Atlanta brings together community organizations, public health leaders, researchers, and civic partners to coordinate action across the eleven-county Metro Atlanta region. Formed in 2022, the Collaborative was founded by three partners: the Satcher Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, 100 Black Men of Atlanta, and The King Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Its work brings science, health systems, and community together to prevent violence.

How the Collaborative Works

Three standing tiers keep the Collaborative running as an ongoing regional body, not a one-time event.

• Regular Partner Convenings: Standing working meetings bring the Collaborative's member organizations and public health advisors together on a regular cadence to align on priorities and share progress.
• Shared Data & Regional Analysis: The Health Equity Tracker and joint regional analysis give partners a common, current picture of conditions across Metro Atlanta to inform their work.
• Annual Symposium: Each year the Collaborative convenes the region to report on shared data, spotlight partner work, and set the agenda for the year ahead.

Focus Areas

• Data & Regional Analysis: Demographic and geographic analysis across Metro Atlanta to support targeted prevention strategies.
• Education & Training: Curricula and workshops for students, health professionals, veterans, survivor families, and community leaders.
• Health System & Community Coordination: Hospital- and community-based interventions that address cycles of violence and suicide risk.
• Public Awareness: Data-driven communication that frames gun violence as preventable and responsive to coordinated public health action.

Member Organizations

• Satcher Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine: Provides scientific leadership and data strategy for the Collaborative, including the Health Equity Tracker.
• 100 Black Men of Atlanta: Brings trusted community relationships in neighborhoods most impacted by violence.
• The King Center for Nonviolent Social Change: Grounds the Collaborative's work in nonviolent principles and values-based leadership.

Public Health Advisors. Current and former public health leaders from the CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health advise on evidence-based practices, data integration, and regional analysis.

Timeline

• 2022, Collaborative Formed: Founding partners are the Satcher Institute, 100 Black Men of Atlanta, and The King Center.
• September 18, 2024, Pre-Symposium: 2024 Violence Prevention Pre-Symposium at Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
• March 31, 2025, Symposium: 2025 Violence Prevention Symposium at the Emory Miller-Ward Alumni House, Atlanta, GA.
• April 16, 2026, Pre-Symposium: 2026 Violence Prevention Pre-Symposium, Atlanta, GA.
• March 4, 2027, Upcoming: 2027 Violence Prevention Symposium. Details and location to be announced.

Resources

The VPC Resource Hub is a library of data tools, community programs, training curricula, policy resources, and crisis services for partners working to prevent violence across Metro Atlanta.

Contact

For questions about the Collaborative, partnership opportunities, or the annual symposium, reach out to bhammond@msm.edu.