PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — City leaders and stakeholders are hoping to change the narrative surrounding Philadelphia’s gun violence crisis through a new documentary.
“A Hope that Lights the Way,” which premiered Friday at the Franklin Institute, features the stories of grassroots anti-violence groups, also known as “Hope Dealers” who are “working to break the cycle of gun violence by closing equity gaps for our most impacted communities,” as explained on the city’s website. It’s an attempt to bring life and hope into the spaces where folks struggle the most.
Eric Westbrook, director of the Mayor's Office of Black Male Engagement, helped spearhead the collaborative project, which he says was made possible by a city grant called Operations Transformation Fund.
“Eighty percent of the shooting victims and perpetrators are black men and boys,” Westbrook said. “They look like me or my son. And we want to change that narrative to say that, although that may be a reality, there's another reality here too.”
Mayor Jim Kenney made a brief appearance at the showing and pointed out the downward trend in homicides while acknowledging that more needs to be done.
Patrice Nuble, of Wynnefield Heights, says she lost her baby brother to gun violence, as well as other family members.
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“I wanted to see what the new film was, what it will provide as a resource for families, for individuals to encourage them to want to abstain from gun violence and to encourage those who have been affected by gun violence itself,” Nuble said.
According to data from the Philadelphia Police Department, there have been 243 homicides and 834 non-fatal shootings so far this year.
While numbers are down, gun violence this year – which is down 22% from 2022 – still remains among the highest in the city’s history.
Creators hope to get the documentary on streaming services at some point, but for now, it’s screening in neighborhoods around Philadelphia. For updates on showings, sign up here.
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