Gun violence crisis takes center stage at NCCU as youth demand change in Durham
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- The gun violence crisis in Durham was front and center on North Carolina Central University's campus, where policymakers listened as victims shared harrowing personal stories about how shootings have changed their lives.
Organizers say the goal is to turn those voices into action.
"I don't want no one else to go through what I went through."
That's the message from Gemaeka Smith, whom we first met in November 2024, just weeks after her first homecoming as a freshman at NCCU. Smith says she was shot in the hip while walking back to a friend's dorm room and is still dealing with lasting nerve damage.
"I have to take medicine three times a day just to function. It has a lot of side effects like brain fog," Smith said.
Twelve-year-old Khadija Jabbarkhel also shared her experience, saying she witnessed a drive-by shooting just weeks ago while leaving a park in the Cornwallis community.
"A white car had drove past and started shooting out the window and there was a bunch of kids outside," Jabbarkhel said.
Both Smith and Jabbarkhel spoke at the Youth Leaders Against Gun Violence Symposium, an event created by Tiffany Swoope.
"We are hoping our policymakers, our community leaders, our elected officials will listen to our children and come up with a plan," said Swoope, founder and executive director of Greater Ascension Community and Economic Development, Inc (GRACED).
The youth mentorship organization partnered with NCCU's psychology department to host four panel discussions focused on workforce development, education, and the mental health impacts of community violence as prevention tools.
The conversation comes as Durham continues rolling out its violence reduction plan. City leaders say they've already held three community listening sessions.
"Making sure we incorporate that youth voice is going to be critical to our success," said Durham Mayor Pro Tempore Javiera Caballero. "These are the kids in our schools, in our neighborhoods."
For teens like Jabbarkhel, the hope is for more visible action in their communities, including increased police presence in her neighborhood, where she says gunshots are often heard at night. She hopes her story reaches the mayor and spurs action.
"I don't think he understands how serious the situation can get if he doesn't put his foot down in the community," she said.
Organizers say this was the first Youth Leaders Against Gun Violence Symposium, but given the turnout and response, they expect it won't be the last.
