By James Williams, Editor-in-Chief

Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson is not new to the crisis of gun violence—he’s lived it, fought against it, and legislated to end it. Since launching his “Peace Not Guns” initiative in 1998 after losing his cousin to gun violence, Johnson has approached public safety not as a slogan, but as a life’s calling. As he steps deeper into his leadership role amid Philadelphia’s ongoing struggle with gun violence, Johnson is showing that steady, grassroots-rooted leadership can still cut through political noise.

This spring, Johnson reconstituted City Council’s Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention, appointing nearly two dozen members that include councilmembers, advocates, health experts, clergy, and law enforcement. The goal? Bring all sectors of the city together in a united, strategic push to reduce gun violence and create safer communities. He is not interested in symbolic gestures—he’s demanding measurable results.

And the numbers show progress. Philadelphia recorded 562 homicides in 2021, the peak of the city’s recent gun violence crisis. That number dropped to 269 in 2024. As of May 26, 2025, the city has seen 88 homicides—a 16% decrease from the same time last year. Non-fatal shootings are also down. These improvements reflect the impact of targeted investments, community partnerships, and policy reform—many of which have come from or been championed by Johnson.

Critics have often asked whether another committee can truly make a difference. But Johnson’s leadership has already demonstrated that collaboration, when properly resourced and executed, can save lives. His efforts have unlocked millions in city funding for grassroots anti-violence groups and trauma support services. Under his watch, the creation of the Office of the Philadelphia Victim Advocate has provided crime victims and their families with critical resources, including relocation assistance and the first city-funded crime scene cleanup program in the nation.

Johnson is not afraid to take unconventional stands. At a recent budget hearing, he made headlines by holding up a realistic toy gun to highlight how such items—often sold without proper markings—can endanger both children and police. It was a controversial move to some, but it underscored Johnson’s message: Philadelphia cannot ignore the everyday ways violence is normalized in Black and brown communities. “You’re taking advantage of our neighborhoods,” he said. “This is destruction.”

As the city enters another potentially volatile summer, Johnson’s focus is on prevention, not just reaction. His roundtable with dozens of frontline organizations in April centered on youth protection—developing summer strategies to keep children engaged, mentored, and safe. His approach reflects not only a deep understanding of policy, but also lived experience, community trust, and a long memory of what works and what doesn’t.

Is the job done? No. Johnson would be the first to admit that. But under his leadership, Philadelphia is not standing still. The homicide rate is declining. Partnerships are growing. Programs are being funded. And most importantly, the fight against gun violence is being led by someone who understands the stakes—not just as a policymaker, but as a survivor, father, and lifelong Philadelphian.

In a time when many public officials talk around the issue, Kenyatta Johnson is doing the work. That matters. And so does the progress.