Force Detroit: Creating Peace from the Ground Up

In the shadow of Detroit’s most underserved neighborhoods, where trust is a rare commodity and violence is a daily ritual, Force Detroit is doing something radical: truly listening. 

Not policing. 

Not preaching. 

Listening. 

From that, something powerful is being built: 

A justice-dignity-healing community model of public safety.

In 2015, longtime activist and organizer Alia Harvey-Quinn founded Force Detroit out of the Cody-Rouge neighborhood in response to the systemic violence and inequity unfolding in the city. 

Not relying on traditional law enforcement strategies, Force Detroit is devoted to putting an end to systemic violence and those most affected by it.

These are people with deep street experience – oftentimes the formerly incarcerated or gang-affiliated – who have something no outsider can fake: relatability.

Force Detroit prepares these leaders to be first responders in conflict, mentors to youth, and community ambassadors that help the at-risk escape cycles of violence.

That said, Force goes beyond just boots on the ground. 

Under Harvey-Quinn’s leadership, the organization has developed trauma-informed care, mental health resources, youth programming, community organizing efforts, and even spiritual healing circles, with them sometimes teaming up with churches, schools, and other ShotStopper community violence intervention orgs.

In 2023, Force Detroit was even selected by the city of Detroit for funding under the city’s ShotStoppers program, which utilized American Rescue Plan dollars and helped them reduce violence by a 18% drop in 2024 alone – a result of both strategy and strong community buy-in.

Not only that, but Force Detroit is also going hard on civic reimagining, training residents in politics, restorative justice, and leadership. 

This is about more than just stopping bullets – it’s about changing the conditions under which violence seems like the only option.

Change in Leadership

In late 2024, after nearly a decade at the helm, Harvey-Quinn handed the torch over to a new generation of leaders. In January 2025, DuJuan “Zoe” Kennedy took over as Executive Director, reflecting the Force’s commitment to succession planning and community-based leadership.

That said, no matter who’s at the top, Force Detroit remains what it has always been: a force to be reckoned with…one devoted to restoring peace on Detroit’s streets.