Black History: Woman Draws Divine Inspiration To Stop Gun Violence
WWJ Newsradio 950 celebrates Black History Month by recognizing our local, young African American professionals and their heroes.
SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - She's depending on the word of God to stop the violence in the streets of Detroit. Pastor Ovella Andreas of Detroit is on a mission from God to crack down and, hopefully, end violence in Detroit. Pastor Andreas says she answered her call from the Lord when she started the "God Said, Thou Shalt Not Kill" campaign to bring an end to gun violence in the city.
"Detroit's campaign against violence, the "Thou Shalt Not Kill" message, is a national campaign. It's not a Black, White, gender or religious issue. Violence is a human issue and we need all humanity to get involved with it," says Andreas.
The campaign brings together churches, organizations and others to help stop violent crime. Andreas has even been able to get every 22nd day of the month designated as a "Stop The Violence" day in Detroit.
Andreas is president of the Detroit chapter of the United Communities of America, and she draws inspiration in Black History from voting rights and civil rights activists Fannie Lou Hamer.
"You can't compromise when there's a crisis and that's what she did not do, and that's what we will not do. We're not going to compromise; our communities are in crisis. Violence is a crisis. Murder, funerals with kids -- it's a crisis. And we cannot compromise on this, and so we're going to keep moving forward. And I get my encouragement, I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired," says Andreas.
Listen to more of Pastor Ovella's story, and who has been her inspiration in Black History.
Black History
