Founder
Jawanna Hardy is a dedicated violence intervention specialist, U.S. Air Force veteran, and community advocate committed to creating safer neighborhoods. Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Jawanna’s journey into activism was deeply influenced by her Christian faith and family’s legacy of advocacy. After serving six years in the Air Force, including deployment to Qatar, she returned home to confront the harsh realities of gun violence affecting her community. In 2018, she co-founded Guns Down Friday with her daughter, Dnayjah Joseph, launching a mobile trauma unit that offers critical support, resources, and healing opportunities for families impacted by violence. Jawanna is currently enrolled in the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA) at the University of Chicago Crime Lab, a prestigious program training leaders to implement evidence-based violence prevention strategies.
Jawanna’s leadership and experience have been recognized nationally, including receiving a 40 Under 40 award for her impactful work. She proudly contributed to shaping national policy as part of the bipartisan Gun Violence Prevention Act. Her work extends to Children’s National Hospital, where she provides direct support to youth and families affected by violence, connecting them to vital community resources. Through Guns Down Friday and her ongoing advocacy, Jawanna continues to break cycles of trauma and empower the next generation to build safer, healthier communities. Her unwavering commitment and compassionate approach make her a beacon of hope and a powerful voice for change.
Co Founder/ Program Director
D’nayjah Joseph is the Junior Founder and Program Director of Guns Down Friday. From a young age, she was passionate about making a difference in her community. When she moved to DC from Maryland, she realized how deeply gun violence impacted children her age, which inspired her to join her mother, Jawanna Hardy, in creating Guns Down Friday. D’nayjah believes that by focusing on communities’ well-being and mental health, gun violence among youth can be ended. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force while leading programs at Guns Down Friday. In the future, she hopes to expand services by partnering with local psychologists and therapists to provide free mental health support to minority youth affected by the system. “Having people that show that they actually care for these children and want to fight for them to not just get thrown in the system at such a young age would impact them a lot,” says D’nayjah.
Mark Swartz
Mark Swartz writes for and about nonprofit organizations, with a particular focus on early education, the arts, and health. The 2021 murder of his friend Jerry Black opened his eyes to the crisis of gun violence. A cofounder of the Lever Fund, he lives in Takoma Park MD. See more at www.swartzmark.com.
Taylor German
Taylor German is a community-rooted researcher, advocate, and storyteller with over a decade of success leveraging advanced analytics to address real world challenges, specifically violence, trauma, and racism as public health issues. Her work spans domestic and international contexts, where she has led behavioral science research, strategic planning, and consulting efforts that center justice, reparations, sustainability, and impact. Taylor puts each community’s priorities first in her work and seeks out every opportunity to ensure that ownership of the story is in the hands of the people whose story it is. Taylor holds a Master of Public Health from Emory University and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from St. John’s University. She’s a proud, fourth generation native Washingtonian and a resident of Ward 7.
Connor Mallon
Connor Mallon brings a wealth of experience and diverse expertise to the fight against gun violence. As a strategy consultant, entrepreneur, and US Army combat veteran, Connor has worked diligently to address the issues faced by veterans, including the prevalence of gun violence within this population.
Drawing upon his experiences in nonprofits and nationwide community development projects, Connor understands that combating gun violence requires a multifaceted approach. He recognizes the importance of advocacy, education, community engagement, and support systems for individuals at risk.
Mike Stuckey
Mike Stuckey is a retired United States Marine Gunnery Sergeant and native of Vero Beach Florida. He works as the Deputy Vice President of Operations for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, a Non- Profit Organization that focuses on providing toys and books to families in need across the United States. Mike grew up fast in the streets of Florida and experienced a life of drugs, guns and violence before changing his life and joining the military. He has a passion for helping those less fortunate and providing guidance to children that may be misguided or living a fast life.
Youth Advisory Board
Daquan Ginyard
Daquan Ginyard is a Youth Mentor and the very first participant in Guns Down Friday. A standout high school football player in the DC area, he has graduated and now inspires youth while pursuing his education at Virginia State University. Daquan’s journey from participant to advisor reflects his dedication, leadership, and passion for uplifting the community.
Rashad Bates
Rashad Bates is a passionate youth advocate who works hard to keep kids safe and build stronger communities. Having lost seven childhood friends to gun violence, he is deeply committed to creating change. Rashad has participated as a distinguished speaker on panels addressing gun violence and has been featured in The Washington Post.
Bryce Blanding
Bryce Blanding is a dedicated student and athlete from Anacostia, excelling both in the classroom and on the field as a member of the track and football teams. Despite experiencing the loss of family members to gun violence, Bryce has channeled his experiences into making a positive impact in the DC community. He actively advocates for change, speaking to city council members and creating safe spaces for youth affected by gun violence. His leadership, resilience, and commitment to his community make him an inspiring voice for his peers.
Guns Down Friday Staff
Joy Ballard Program Director
Joy Ballard Program Director
Joy Ballard Program Director
Your donation will help us to continue our mission of supporting our community. Every dollar counts and will make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Stop The Bleed Instructor
Joy Ballard Program Director
Joy Ballard Program Director
Join our team of volunteers and make a difference in your community. Whether you can give a few hours a week or a few hours a month, your time and skills are appreciated.
Mental Health Mentor
Joy Ballard Program Director
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