Tomorrow Talk: Gun Violence in America - Systems, Solutions, and the Role of Journalism
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Thur, July 23, 6:30pm
Tom Tom Foundation, 100 W. South St
Gun violence is often described as a “uniquely American” problem. The United States has more firearms than people, and each year hundreds of thousands of crimes involve guns, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and injuries. Yet public conversations about gun violence are frequently shaped as much by fear, identity, and political framing as by data—making it difficult for communities to separate facts from assumptions, and solutions from slogans.
This Tomorrow Talk with James Burnett, Managing Director of The Trace, the nation’s only newsroom dedicated exclusively to reporting on gun violence, will explore how journalism, data, and narrative framing shape public understanding of gun violence—both nationally and locally. The Trace’s work goes beyond headlines, aiming to close persistent knowledge gaps around firearms, policy, prevention strategies, and community impact.
Rather than prescribing a single solution, this Tomorrow Talk activates a community dialogue—a core aim of the Tomorrow Talks series. Participants will be invited to engage with questions such as how national narratives influence local perceptions; how Charlottesville’s experience aligns with or diverges from broader trends; and how declines in gun violence can coexist with persistent fears about rising crime.
Registration is required.
General Admission: $25
Tomorrow Society Members: $20
Students: $15
FACILITATORS
James Burnett leads impact strategy and fundraising for The Trace and oversees the organization’s expansion and development. He was The Trace’s founding editor, setting coverage priorities and recruiting the first members of the newsroom. James’s experience in media leadership includes tenures as editor-in-chief of Boston magazine, enterprise editor for AOL News, news editor for New York magazine, and story editor for The New Republic. He has shared a National Magazine Award for single-topic coverage, and five writers he has coached have been named finalists for the Livingston Awards for young journalists. James attended Duke University, where he majored in public policy, and is a journalism fellow with the University of Virginia’s Gun Violence Solutions Project. He lives in Charlottesville with his family.
The Trace is a nonprofit journalism organization exclusively dedicated to reporting on our country’s gun violence crisis. We use the power of journalism to improve public understanding, increase accountability, and identify solutions that can lead to safer homes and communities for all Americans.
Sam Heath is the Program Manager at of the Tom Tom Foundation. He spent ten years teaching high school history before transitioning into organizing and advocacy. He previously served on staff at Equal Justice USA, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending the death penalty and advancing community safety, and now leads the Commonwealth Justice Coalition, a statewide organization focused on restorative practices, reentry, and gun violence prevention.
ABOUT THE SERIES
The Tomorrow Talks are a year-long series that picks up critical themes from our April Festival and continues the conversations to create impact in Charlottesville. Each session is facilitated with an emphasis on participation, connection, and new collaborations. Tomorrow Talks begin with a connection exercise or meditation, and proceed into a presentation and breakout activities. They aim to impart knowledge that is practical and relevant to people's lived experience; combining academic or theoretical insights, alongside pragmatic tools, and experiential and somatic learnings.
