Triggering Change: Engaging Community to Combat Gun Violence

The Kansas City metro saw its deadliest year on record in 2023 as the community experienced 243 gun-related deaths. Join American Public Square at Jewell for their annual student-produced program which will take a deeper look into the roles community education and prevention play in the lives of urban youth at a time when firearm violence is feeling all too normal.

Mary Sanchez of Kansas City PBS will moderate the discussion and Toriano Porter of The Kansas City Star will serve as the program’s Roving Reporter.

This program has been designed for the community by APS’ 2023-24 Student Ambassadors and is the culminating event in their year-long APS Civics Education Initiative experience. Participating high schools include Belton High School, Guadalupe Center, Lee’s Summit West High School, Olathe North High School, Shawnee Mission North High School, St. Teresa’s Academy, and University Academy.

Doors open at 6:00 pm; the program begins at 6:30 pm.

The APS Civics Education Initiative Student Initiative takes the APS mission into schools and partnerships with teachers, students and administrators at both the high school and college level. The initiative includes a custom-developed high school curriculum focused on learning about misinformation, disinformation, and bias, and college-level internship opportunities that enable students to produce compelling and relevant programs on significant and difficult issues in our community.