Youth-led healing and action program to reduce violence among Black teens
RFA-CE-23-004: Youth Participatory Action Research to Prevent Community Violence among Black youth
A program that helps Black teens (ages 12–17) use photography and storytelling to heal from racial trauma and take action to reduce violence in their communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11099651 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a community program for Black youth ages 12–17 that combines personal and collective healing with civic action. Youth use photovoice—taking photos, sharing stories, and discussing what affects health and safety in their neighborhoods—to name problems and imagine solutions. The project runs group workshops, mentoring, and local partnerships to help turn youth ideas into community-level actions. The team tracks how these activities affect youth wellbeing and exposure to community violence over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Black adolescents ages 12–17 who live in the communities targeted by the project and who can participate in group activities using photography and storytelling are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: This program is not designed for younger children or adults, and it may not meet the needs of youth who require immediate clinical trauma treatment or emergency services.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help Black youth recover from racial trauma, strengthen local supports, and reduce exposure to community violence.
How similar studies have performed: Similar community-based participatory programs using photovoice and youth activism have shown promise for increasing empowerment and community engagement, though clear evidence that they lower violence is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woods-Jaeger, Briana — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Woods-Jaeger, Briana
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.