Service

Advocacy & Leadership

A decade of turning personal loss into public action. Gun violence prevention, political service, and community leadership.
"
My mother Joyce died by suicide with a gun when I was 20 months old. That is not a talking point. It is not a campaign story. It is my life. Every day since then has been shaped by that absence.
I do this work because nobody should lose their mother the way I did. Not to suicide. Not to domestic violence. Not to a mass shooting. Not to any form of gun violence that we have the power to prevent.
The Work

Gun Violence Prevention

Khary Penebaker with fellow gun violence survivor at Moms Demand Action

Everytown for Gun Safety Fellow

Worked alongside survivors, organizers, and policy advocates to advance common-sense gun legislation at the state and federal level. Used my personal story to put a human face on the statistics.

Khary Penebaker speaking at Moms Demand Action rally

Moms Demand Action

Speaker and organizer at events across Wisconsin. Stood with other survivors and volunteers to demand action from elected officials.

Khary Penebaker at Moms Demand Action event in front of American flag

2020 DNC Convention Speaker

Shared my family's story on the national stage. Spoke about my mother Joyce, about growing up without her, and about the urgent need for gun violence prevention.

Khary Penebaker at pride event wearing Disarm Hate shirt

Congressional Candidate (WI-5, 2016)

Ran for Congress in Wisconsin's 5th District on a platform that centered gun violence prevention, economic opportunity, and healthcare access. Did not win the seat, but brought the conversation to thousands of voters.

In Action

March for Our Lives, 2018

Khary Penebaker speaking at the March for Our Lives rally, 2018
Public Service

Political Service

2017-2023

DNC Representative, Wisconsin

Served six years as a DNC representative, advocating for progressive policy and party reform at the national level.

2020

Biden Presidential Elector

Served as a presidential elector for Joe Biden in Wisconsin.

2016

Clinton Presidential Elector

Served as a presidential elector for Hillary Clinton in Wisconsin.

2016

Congressional Candidate, WI-5

Ran a grassroots campaign focused on economic opportunity, gun violence prevention, and healthcare.

Resigned 2024

Former Board Service

  • Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort (WAVE)
  • Additional community organizations

Stepping back from board service was a deliberate choice to prioritize my own wellbeing. I am proud of the work I did and I support these organizations from the outside now.

Khary Penebaker with colleague at Planned Parenthood gala
Engagements

Speaking

I speak about gun violence prevention, survivor advocacy, leadership, resilience, and building through adversity. My talks draw from two decades of building businesses and a lifetime of turning personal loss into public action.

  • Surviving gun violence: a personal story
  • Leadership through adversity
  • Building organizations from the ground up
  • Advocacy as action: turning loss into impact
  • Mental health and knowing when to step back
Interested? Email speaking@kharypenebaker.com
Get In Touch
Khary Penebaker speaking at podium with arms wide at Moms Demand Action event