Quentrel Provo is a singer, songwriter and a known activist as the Founder/ CEO of Stop the Violence Brand and Movement which he started after the tragic killing death of his close cousin Kaylin Diggs in August 2012. He took his hurt, pain, anger and frustration and turned it into something positive to create change and make a difference.
In April 2015 he started the Stop the Violence Clothing Brand the first brand of its kind in Canada geared towards spreading a message of love and standing against violence. Through his work he’s become the face of Stop the Violence in Nova Scotia and over the years he’s had the opportunity to meet some prominent figures such as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Former Governor Generals of Canada His Excellency David Johnston and Her Honor Michaëlle Jean, Former Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia John Grant, US Consul General Steven Giegerich and many more.
In June 2016 he made history in Canada as June 10th was declared “Stop the Violence Day” in the Province of Nova Scotia with the signing of the Proclamation by Premier McNeil whereas Nova Scotians are asked to wear red to mark this day of awareness and perform an act of kindness towards a fellow citizen. Besides being known as "Mr Stop the Violence" he also serves as a Justice Champion for the Michaëlle Jean Foundation.
In 2016, Stop the Violence won BRONZE in BEST OF HALIFAX by The Coast for best Activist Organization. In 2017, Quentrel won SILVER for BEST OF HALIFAX 2017 as Best Activist. He was the 2018 recipient of a Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institutes Ancestral Awards for Civic Engagement. He was a guest speaker for WE Day Atlantic (November 2017), The National Summit of Black Canadians (December 2017) and was recognized as a Local Hero for the Hal-Con Sci-Fi Convention Fall 2018.
In February 2018 he made headlines when he raised $7000 in 5 days to take 400 black youth to see Black Panther together. In September 2018 he was mentioned as a change maker and leader in Nova Scotia in the Lieutenant Governor’s Speech from the Throne. In October of 2018, the Black Panther Initiative was chosen as 1 of 18 things that represent Nova Scotia out of 5000 suggestions to be accessioned in the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History for the 150th Birthday of the museum.
In March 2019 he received the Senate of Canada 150 medal and was recently named one of the world’s Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Under 40 list. Also in April 2019, he was a Tedx Halifax 2019 speaker, sharing his inspiring yet touching story. Mr Stop the Violence has been featured in documentaries, magazines, as well as school and university projects and presentations. But despite all the attention and coverage he gets, he remains humble and focused to continue to create positive change and make a difference. Besides his Stop the Violence work, he also works full-time as an indeterminate employee for the Federal Government with Veterans Affairs Canada.
He continues to make a positive impact in the community by speaking and singing at schools, conferences and other events across Nova Scotia and Canada, and hosting Stop the Violence initiatives such as the STV Christmas Toy Drive, Stop the Violence Dance Party for School Supplies to name a few, as he continues to spread the message of love against violence and raise violence awareness throughout Nova Scotia, Canada and the world.
https://www.instagram.com/mr_stop_the_violence/ (Check him out @mr_stop_the_violence)