Detroit’s next fiscal year budget presents an opportunity for real change — a chance to treat mental health as a public good rather than a privilege. Ginger Root’s first policy demand, supported by the full base of We The People Action Fund, is straightforward: we want a dedicated line item in the City of Detroit’s budget for mental health resources.

Today, far too many Detroiters cannot access mental health evaluations or ongoing support because of cost, insurance limitations, or a lack of information. The funding to make meaningful change already exists. By reallocating just 1–2% of the police budget, Detroit could build a sustainable, city-funded mental health support system that helps residents get the care they deserve. For us, this is not just a policy idea — it’s a matter of dignity and survival for the communities we live in.

Organizing through the election — and beyond

Ginger Root is a Black male-focused organizing team under the We The People Action Fund, grounded in the belief that if we organize and build clear, collective demands, we can’t be ignored. It came about during the 2025 election cycle in Detroit as more and more young, Black men realized they weren’t getting the results they wanted to see for the city. 

Detroit’s nonpartisan primary system means candidates don’t run as Democrats, Republicans, or independents. The top two primary vote-getters move on to the general election regardless of party. While this structure might appear neutral, in practice it often turns municipal races into popularity contests dominated by name recognition and fundraising. Progressive candidates without major institutional backing can struggle to break through.

Rather than sit on the sidelines, Ginger Root — alongside We The People Action Fund — chose to use our collective power to help shift that dynamic. We identified candidates whose values aligned with our own and organized canvassing, phone banking, and voter education efforts to educate voters about the stakes for the election. Together, we spoke with countless Detroiters in communities across  Districts 6 and 7.

Through that work, we contributed to the re-election of Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero in District 6 and helped elect Councilman Denzel McCampbell in District 7. But perhaps more importantly, these conversations taught us something crucial: Detroiters are tired of politics as usual. Many people told us they would be more willing to engage in the political process if they saw candidates who genuinely represented them.

Now that the election is behind us, our work shifts from mobilizing voters to holding our elected officials accountable. Ginger Root plans to attend public meetings, show up at community events, and reach out regularly to the offices of those we endorsed. Our message will remain consistent: you were elected to serve the people, and we intend to make sure that happens.

Why we fight, and what comes next

We know what it looks like when there are no real choices — when the same establishment figures make decisions that harm our communities. Working-class Black men feel the consequences every day, whether in the stress we carry, the limited access to care, or the sense that our needs never make it into the city’s budget discussions.

That’s why our call to action is clear:

Organize. Speak up. Hold leaders accountable. And when the opportunity arises, show up for candidates who treat mental health as a human right.

Detroit deserves a city budget that reflects the people who live here. Ginger Root, together with We The People Action Fund, is committed to making that a reality. We hope you’ll join us — because the future of Detroit’s mental health, and the well-being of Black men across the city, depends on it.

We hope you’ll join us.

Stephen Wallace, Ginger Root Policy Lead, is a proud Detroiter, a husband, and a father who wants Detroit to be the best place it can be to raise a family.