LOUISVILLE, Ky. — New leadership is coming to Louisville's Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods (OSHN), Mayor Greg Fischer (D) announced.

Monique Williams, director of the Youth Violence Prevention Research Center (YVPRC) at the University of Louisville, is the office's new director while Dr. Steven Kelsey, a retired Louisville Metro Police Department Officer and Louisville minister, will serve as its faith-based liaison.

“The Office of Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods is a vital part of our city’s public safety work, and Monique and Steven are excellent additions to the team,” Fischer said. “They share our goal of creating a city of safe neighborhoods, where everyone is secure, supported, free of violence, and prepared for lifelong success.”

Metro Council President David James (D) added, “Adding these two professionals to the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods will help move our city in the right direction toward safety.”

Williams's background is in public health as a community-based researcher and practitioner. She's been at UofL's School of Public Health and Information Sciences for the past six years, where she was recruited to assist with the school's community-engaged research arm and lead the YVPRC.

In her new role, she will continue to work with the YVPRC.

“Monique Williams is uniquely qualified for this position,” said Fischer. “She not only has expertise in approaching violence prevention from a public health perspective, but she also has the leadership and management skills necessary to take OSHN to the next level.”

“Monique has an excellent reputation for her research in public health and youth violence prevention. I’m confident that she will implement creative programming and build community partnerships to help us elevate our systemically marginalized neighborhoods,” said Vincent James, who oversees OSHN as the city’s chief of community building. “We are fortunate that she will be joining our team.”

Williams is a 2020 doctoral candidate at UofL's School of Public Health and Information Sciences. 

“Our work at U of L’s YVPRC and our focus on root causes has highlighted some major needs in youth violence prevention work, both locally and nationally,” she said. “I look forward to working with the OSHN team to translate that work into innovative strategies for violence prevention that will ultimately improve communities across the nation.”

In addition to being a retired LMPD officer, Kelsey is owner and president of the Fresh Start Educational and Counseling Center Inc., a founding senior pastor of Spirit Filled New Life Church Ministries, and a licensed clinical mental health provider.

In his role, Kelsey will develop a coalition of faith-based organizations interested in promoting peace in alignment with the mission and vision of OSHN. He will also organize responses to shootings and homicides with communty faith advocates.

“As a local minister, counselor and former police officer honored for lifesaving and valor, Steven brings a unique ability to help us build bridges and strengthen trust in our communities,” said Fischer.

James said, “Steven is a trusted community builder. We need messengers like Steven in our neighborhoods who can provide mentorship to our youth and partnerships with our faith-based communities.”

Kelsey said he wants to bring a message of "hope" and "healing."

“Our city is hurting right now, and I’m passionate about bringing a message of hope and healing to our youth and community partners,” he said. “I’m grateful to the Mayor and Chief James for allowing me to continue making a difference in so many people’s lives.”

In March 2013, Fischer established the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods after a triple homicide prompted him to convene a group of community, city, and business leaders to develop strategies for reducing violent deaths in Louisville.

Both Williams and Kelsey began their new roles today.