MEET THE FOUNDER

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Andre T. Mitchell made history in June of 2022, when appointed by Mayor Eric Adams, as the first New York City Gun Violence Prevention Czar and Co-Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. Mitchell is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Man Up! Inc. USA (MUSA), the most recognized Cure Violence organization in NYC, and the first to receive site certification by Cure Violence Global.

Mitchell, a well-known and respected community activist, and leader started Man Up! Inc. in 2004 as a response to the killing of 8-year-old Daesean (Dae Dae) Hill. Young Dae Dae was fatally struck by a stray bullet in East New York, as he walked home on November 17, 2003, with his stepfather and younger siblings. Prior to founding the organization, Mitchell worked for over 15 years in various non-profits like Directions for Our Youth and Imani Altisimo Inc., elevating to the rank of directorship. He then transitioned into city government, becoming the Chief of Staff to NYC Council Member, Charles Barron. MUSA and Mitchell’s recent appointment as New York City’s Gun Violence Prevention Czar, represents a capstone of his 30+ year career in public service, and a testament to transformation, since his release from prison in 1991, for a crime he did not commit.