PROGRESS Briefs the Maryland State Judiciary Committee

October 15th, 2025

On October 15th, 2025, members of the Maryland General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee visited the University of Maryland to learn about UMD, including two of its violence prevention initiatives.

PROGRESS Co-Directors Dr. Joseph B. Richardson and Dr. Woodie Kessel gave a presentation highlighting PROGRESS initiatives and scholarships in the state of Maryland and beyond. In their talk, the co-directors highlighted the value of "design justice" and how working with communities and community-based organizations can produce ethical and long-lasting solutions to gun violence. Director Thomas Abt of the Violence Reduction Center also gave a presentation to the committee.

This discussion about two of the University of Maryland's violence prevention groups promoted further collaboration and discussion between committee members and PROGRESS and the VRC.