Dr. Cherrell Green

Cherrell Green is a nationally recognized researcher, strategist, and advocate dedicated to advancing racial equity, community safety, and justice reform. With more than a decade of experience working alongside directly impacted communities, her work centers on transforming systems that have historically marginalized Black and underserved populations. Guided by a deep commitment to social justice, she brings expertise in community engagement, violence intervention, participatory research, and policy reform.

Broadly, her research explores how Black men impacted by violence make sense of cumulative trauma, navigate unsupportive systems, and define safety on their own terms. Using qualitative and community-engaged methods, Green examines how institutions, particularly healthcare, criminal legal, and violence prevention systems, can both hinder and support healing.

Currently serving as Managing Director of the Coalition to Advance Public Safety (CAPS), Green leads national efforts to strengthen community-based violence intervention initiatives through strategic leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and equity-centered evaluation. She oversees a $30 million multi-funder portfolio and leads a multi-city learning and evaluation initiative across eight jurisdictions focused on accountability, sustainability, and cross-site learning. Prior to this role, she served as Associate Director of Engagement and Assessment at Everytown for Gun Safety, where she supported organizations nationwide in building sustainable violence prevention strategies and scaling community-driven solutions.

Throughout her career, she has held leadership and research roles with organizations including the Vera Institute of Justice and Justice System Partners, focusing on pretrial reform, parole advocacy, racial justice, and public health approaches to violence prevention. Her work combines rigorous research with lived experience and community-informed practices to create meaningful, long-term impact.

Green holds a Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and continues to be a powerful voice for equitable systems, transformative justice, and community-centered change nationwide.