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…