On July 12, 2023, our founder lost her 18-year-old son, Khalil Allen, to the senseless gun violence that has plagued not only the City of Detroit but has become a major national public health crisis.
Khalil’s tragic death inspired the creation of **Seize The Smoke** an Anti-Violence, Awareness, and Prevention organization founded in December 2023.
Seize The Smoke is more than a movement—it’s a mission born from unimaginable loss and fuelled by love, purpose, and a call for justice. Founded by a grieving mother who lost her son—a multi-talented athlete and rising rap artist—to senseless gun violence, this organization is committed to transforming pain into purpose and powerful action.
We are dedicated to combating gun violence through community education, youth outreach programs, and advocacy efforts that address the root causes of violence in our communities. Seize The Smoke will honor Khalil by creating safe pathways for young people to pursue their athletic and artistic talents, while providing comprehensive healing and support to families affected by violence, through their entire healing journey. We help survivors and families REGROUP during crisis moments, RESET their lives with essential resources, REGAIN their emotional and physical well-being through counseling and community support, and REFOCUS their energy on honoring their loved ones while building meaningful, hopeful futures.
Together we can break the cycle of violence and build communities where children of color are safe from gun violence and free from the pressures of social conformity that lead to destructive choices. Where the dream of pursuing higher education becomes a reality for countless youth.
Seize The Smoke works toward a community where parents, schools, churches and law enforcement unite to demand an end to senseless violence. We will provide comprehensive support to families who have experienced loss, guiding them through crisis toward healing, stability, and renewed purpose.”
Khalil Allen’s death will not be in vain. His legacy will be forever honored through our work to create safer neighborhoods and brighter futures for our youth, recognizing that death is inevitable, but the reduction of murders can and will happen when our community stands united.
As Khalil’s mother, a survivor, and a licensed therapist I am committed to bringing profound depth and authenticity to this work. I understand trauma-informed care not just professionally, but personally – and my lived experience combined with my clinical knowledge and expertise makes Seize The Smoke organization uniquely positioned to truly serve and support survivors, families and youth.
Your donation is more than a gift — it’s a lifeline. It fuels our fight to end gun violence, empowers youth with opportunity, and brings healing to families devastated by loss.
Every dollar helps us honor Khalil’s legacy by building safer communities, one life at a time.
THIS IS BIGGER THAN A MOTHER GRIEF,
Your donation helps fund youth outreach, scholarships, mental
health resources, and violence prevention programs across
Detroit & Metro Detroit areas. When you give, you’re not just
remembering Khalil — you’re protecting someone else’s future.
We honor the memory of those lost to violence by creating meaningful change that extends their positive impact beyond their years.
We approach grieving families with deep empathy, understanding, and sustained support throughout their healing journey.
We believe in recognizing and developing the potential in all young people, providing resources and opportunities that enable them to pursue education, skills training, and positive life paths.
We are committed to addressing the root causes of violence through education, mentorship, and creating alternatives for at-risk youth.
We foster strong relationships between families, schools, businesses, and civic organizations, recognizing that lasting change requires collective action.
We celebrate the strength found in healing and the courage to transform grief into positive social change
We create pathways to education and career development, continuing the journey that violence has interrupted for too many young people.
Join us in our quest to end gun violence and create safer communities for our children. We’re committed to both preventing violence and supporting survivors and families as they heal and rebuild.
#GET INVOLVED #DONATE #LEARN MORE # PAIN PURPOSE POWER
#END GUN VIOLENCE
