MY STORY
Najanava Harvey-Quinn has a rich background in community service, political strategy, marketing & communications, and civic engagement. In 2018, driven by the need for change in her community, she ran for state representative. Though the campaign didn't succeed, her dedication to community service remained unwavering.
In 2021, Najanava founded the Clean Smoke Community Investment Project, collaborating with the Michigan Cannabis Freedom Coalition to support individuals impacted by cannabis-related offenses. The project hosted resource and expungement fairs, assisting in clearing hundreds of records in Wayne County.
In 2023, Najanava opened one of Detroit's first majority black-owned recreational dispensaries on the East side. Prior to founding the Clean Smoke Community Investment Project, she served as Project Manager for FORCE Detroit, increasing voter awareness and engagement.
Najanava's extensive experience includes organizing community-based events, interfaith work, media advocacy for those impacted by the War on Drugs, and nonprofit organizational improvement efforts in Michigan. She has held various leadership positions, including executive board member of the MDP Progressive Caucus and at-large executive board member for the Cannabis Caucus of the MDP and the Michigan Cannabis Freedom Coalition.
Passionate about social justice, Najanava hails from a family of grassroots organizers actively involved in various causes, including equal rights, women's rights, violence reduction, and criminal justice reform. She currently supports Michigan's multimedia Jobs Act, advocating for the revival of the movie tax credit to boost the economy and support the expanding entertainment industry.
Additionally, Najanava founded ORI Reel Entertainment and ORI Reel Film and Entertainment Festival to champion the revival of Michigan's movie tax incentive. Through these ventures, she aims to showcase urban films, nurture minority entertainers and filmmakers, and create culturally inclusive festivals, contributing to Detroit's Renaissance period with a waterfront film and entertainment experience in the Roaring 20s.
Najanava holds a Bachelor of Science in History and Communications. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, historical tours, films, TV shows, sports, and political research.