Women enjoy a variety of occupations, from broadcasting to preaching, African American women are making their mark with grace and aplomb. Detroit’s Ovella Andreas skillfully balances and blends crossover vocations through her Saturday morning television show (formerly the Martha Jean the Queen time slot). The popular radio personality — who like her predecessor is frequently in the pulpit — offers her own special brand of spiritual courage, she prompts her listeners to obey a higher law and stop the violence in the city streets and schools. Rolling out spoke with Andreas during a gathering of the region’s most prominent ministers regarding her mission. –roz edward
Tell us about United Communities and the Thou Shalt Not Kill campaign?
We are focused on the reduction of crime through a process of peace and healing. The 22nd of every month is an official No Violence day in Detroit. … We went to Detroit’s City Council and asked them to make the 22nd day of every month a citywide day of peace and healing. It’s a time when we go to the gangs and ask them to put their guns down, and we ask every person to focus on ways to create peace. The Council unanimously agreed and now we have a resolution for a citywide day of peace and healing. Then Romulus, River Rouge, Inkster and the Detroit Board of Education all [followed suit].
What are the root causes of the violence Detroiters have had to endure?
Crack cocaine came in 30 years ago and totally dismantled our community and tore down the values of the family. For the first time women abandoned their babies, and that was something we hadn’t seen in our community before.
What happens at the No Violence Day programs?
We bring in families that have been the victims of violence. We work with Crime Stoppers to bring them in and minister to their pain. We have music and food and we have community leaders come in, but most of all we let them know that we care and we pray for God to bring that peace and healing to [them]. We recently held the event at St. Leo’s where 21 black Catholic churches came together to help realize the goal. We want so much happening in the name of peace and healing that the media can’t find anything to cover.
Note: Schools across the metro Detroit region that have adopted the program report drastic reductions in school violence on the 22nd of each month.
