Franklin Gay

Franklin Cosey-Gay is an accomplished academic and community leader currently serving as the Executive Director of the Chicago Center for Youth Violence Prevention at the University of Chicago. His work focuses on addressing violence in communities, particularly through the lens of social justice and structural inequalities.

Educational Background

Cosey-Gay holds a Master's degree in Public Health (1998) and a PhD (2019), both from the University of Illinois Chicago. His academic journey has been deeply intertwined with his commitment to understanding and mitigating the impacts of violence on youth and communities.

Professional Experience

Since joining the University of Chicago in 2009, Cosey-Gay has been instrumental in various initiatives aimed at violence prevention. He previously directed the Chicago Center for Youth Violence Prevention, where he developed programs that address the root causes of violence, such as economic disparity, housing instability, and educational inequities. His leadership in these areas has significantly contributed to community health outcomes on Chicago's South Side.

Current Role

As the Executive Director at UChicago Medicine's Violence Recovery Program, Cosey-Gay leads efforts to provide comprehensive support for trauma patients and their families. This includes crisis intervention, psychological support, and connections to community resources. His approach emphasizes collaboration with community partners to strengthen responses to violence and enhance recovery outcomes for affected individuals.1246

Vision and Impact

Cosey-Gay is driven by a vision of justice that recognizes systemic failures rather than attributing blame to individuals. He advocates for a holistic understanding of health that encompasses social determinants and aims to build resilient communities through coordinated efforts among various stakeholders.135

For further details about his professional background, you can view his LinkedIn profile here.