José Alfaro is a first-generation Salvadoran-American who made history as the first Latino to lead a national gun violence prevention organization: Community Justice. Community Justice is the only national gun violence prevention organization led by a person of color with an explicit, unapologetic focus on communities of color. José brings an anti-racist, community-centered approach to his work, integrating movement building, policy advocacy, and electoral strategy to drive systemic change.
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José’s journey began as a community educator in Baltimore, where he worked to empower marginalized youth. He went on to lead youth development efforts in Washington, D.C., focusing on dismantling toxic masculinity and promoting healing and empowerment. In Connecticut, José organized parents to fight for education equity and fair school funding, later managing successful state-level political campaigns.
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On the national stage, José led the Raíz organizing program at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, where he advanced reproductive rights and mobilized Latinx voters across the country. Before joining Community Justice, he served as the Director of Latinx Leadership and Engagement at Everytown for Gun Safety, amplifying the voices of Latinx communities impacted by gun violence nationwide.
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José is a 2024-2025 Obama Foundation USA Leader, a Hispanics in Philanthropy Líderes Fellow, and a former Board Advisor to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). In 2023, he was also recognized as an Aspen Ideas Festival Fellow for his transformative leadership and commitment to community-centered change.
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He holds a B.S. in Psychology from Morgan State University and an M.A. in Social Justice and Conflict Resolution from SIT Graduate Institute.

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