6-week initiative in conjunction with Detroit Neighborhood Police Officers and metro Detroit youth designed to foster peace and non-violence within metro-Detroit communities
DETROIT – Jan. 3, 2025 – The Detroit Pistons and PeacePlayers Detroit are launching, “Pistons for Peace,” a collaborative initiative aimed at fostering peace and non-violence within metro-Detroit communities. The 6-week program will bring together metro-Detroit youth and Detroit Neighborhood Police Officers (NPO) to engage in activities and discussions that promote understanding, respect and collaboration.
“Pistons for Peace” will feature weekly two-hour sessions that combine educational workshops and basketball activities. Sessions are designed to build critical skills and foster relationships between youth participants and law enforcement officers. Programing will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at the Henry Ford Pistons Performance Center and run every Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. until Feb. 11.
“Pistons for Peace aims to foster peace and non-violence within metro-Detroit communities by bringing together Detroit youth, community leaders and law enforcement officers for candid discussions that address community issues and create pathways for possible solutions,” said Melanie Harris, Detroit Pistons President of Business Operations. “Together with PeacePlayers Detroit, this program will seek to build understanding, respect and collaboration between youth and law enforcement, ultimately creating a safer and more united Detroit.”
“Pistons for Peace” will focus on eight categories: conflict resolution, inside-out transformation, seeing people as people, culture of collaboration, confidence building, leadership development, career readiness and mental awareness.
“This partnership is truly inspiring,” said Jasmine Cooper, Director of PeacePlayers Detroit. “Since PeacePlayers came to Detroit in 2017, the Pistons have been incredible thought leaders and partners in our work, and bringing the Detroit Police Department into this collaboration gives our young people valuable perspective and highlights the DPD’s commitment to the youth in the communities they serve. We’re also so grateful to have Malik Beasley as the program’s ambassador, helping to bridge these important conversations. I couldn’t be more excited to see the transformation this program will bring.”
Pistons guard Malik Beasley will serve as an ambassador for the program. Beasley will sit in on programming, taking part in sessions and helping bridge the discussion between youth and law enforcement. Participants in the program will also attend the Pistons game on Jan. 4 where Beasley will meet with the youth pre-game.
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