Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) The executive director of violence intervention program Turn Up Knox announcing Monday that he is running for Knoxville City Council.

Leaning on his three years at the helm of Turn Up Knox, Denzel Grant says his top priorities are “violence prevention, affordable housing, and real equity for East Knoxville” as he seeks the District Six seat held currently by Gwen McKenzie who is term-limited.

As reported previously by our news partner WVLT, Grant’s move to run for office comes after the city pulled funding from Turn Up Knox in February, citing spending imbalances.

Grant told the news outlet at the time that Turn Up Knox planned to continue its mission despite the loss of funding.

Grant started the organization in 2021, a record year for gun deaths in Knoxville. According to WVLT, since then, data from the Knoxville Police Department has shown a steady drop in murders and non-deadly shootings; that said, other organizations and efforts to reduce violence in Knoxville have also been credited by KPD with helping to lower crime rates.