The William Kellibrew Foundation- History

The WKF was founded by Professor Barbara Harvey, Professor, University of the District of Columbia and Mr. Clarence Davis, Historian for the District of Columbia.  On Saturday, May 5, 2007; 4701 Blagden Terrace, Northwest, Washington, D.C. the non-profit organization housed within the offices of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, was created.   The organization was founded at a reception honoring William Kellibrew recognizing his distinguished two-year tenure as president of the Undergraduate Student Government Association at the University of the District of Columbia.

At the age of 10, William Kellibrew watched helplessly as his thirty-year old mother, Jacqueline and twelve-year old brother, Anthony, were shot at point-blank range in their living room by his mother’s former boyfriend.  The next day, William witnessed his grandfather shoot his next door neighbor in a quarrel over a parking space.

William has suffered immense trauma throughout his life including being violently raped at the age of six. He told his story at the age of fourteen for the first time in therapy after contemplating and planning suicide.

William has worked tirelessly to recover and restore his life.  In 2007, he told his story on the Oprah Winfrey Show with actor and comedian Bill Cosby, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, William’s sister and grandmother, Manyka Cephas and Delores Short.

Today, William, an internationally recognized advocate for peace, is committed to helping victims and survivors break the cycle of violence through The William Kellibrew Foundation alongside Executive Director, Malik Washington and an extensive network of partners and allies in violence prevention and trauma-informed care.