From Shake Shack to Nonviolent Peaceforce: The Journey of Qaaree McDaniel

Qaaree McDaniel, Programme Specialist for NP US, is part of our team in New York. Qaaree has grown into a confident leader over the past three years. Melvin Sharty, Programme Manager, NP US, sat down for an interview with Qaaree to learn more about how they got involved in community safety work.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself—who is Qaaree McDaniel, and where did your journey begin? 

I’d say, I identity as a queer, nonbinary individual. Honestly, it’s hard to put myself into words how my identity shaped my work, but I’m someone who leads more with my actions than with words. I try to stay as grounded as possible so that the people around me can feel grounded too.   

As for where my journey began, I grew up in a small town where the focus was all about school. I was always told, “Focus on your studies, not work.” But after graduation, I got hit with this reality: I had to find a job or leave. That shocked me because I wasn’t prepared for it. So, I packed up and moved to New York City. I was only supposed to stay for a month to meet with military recruiters and prepare for the ASVAB (a test for eligibility for military enlistment), but things didn’t quite go as planned.   

How did you end up getting your first job in New York City?  

When I was 19, I moved to New York. While I was brand new to the city, my younger brother already lived there and worked at a restaurant chain— he landed me my very first job. Unfortunately, it turned out that the working environment was really toxic, the managers often got into big arguments and disagreements. After nine months, I found a different job, working at Shake Shack (a different restaurant chain). 

It was a lot of responsibility—opening the restaurant at 5 AM, receiving these massive deliveries with hundreds of items, organizing everything, cleaning, and prepping the kitchen. It was a lot, especially during the pandemic when the city felt so empty. I was doing tasks I wasn’t even qualified for, but I just had to figure things out.   

How did your time at Shake Shack intersect with the protests in 2020? 

Working during the pandemic was already intense, but everything changed when I saw a protest happening near Columbus Circle one day after work. At the time, I didn’t even know who George Floyd was, so I looked it up, watched the video, and it broke my heart. That moment lit a fire in me. I felt like I needed to do something.   

One day after work, I joined a protest with my Shake Shack uniform still in my backpack. It was risky, but I felt like I had to be there. The energy at those protests was raw—people were frustrated, and clashes with police were happening all the time. It was the first time I felt surrounded by people who were just as passionate about justice as I was.   

What inspired you to leave Shake Shack and pursue a different path? 

The more I got involved in protests, the more I started questioning what I was doing at Shake Shack. Although I was having these conversations with coworkers about politics and justice, I realized that that environment wasn’t where I wanted to be. I didn’t want to just clock in and out without making a difference. So, eventually, I quit my job.   

How did you learn about Nonviolent Peaceforce? 

I found out about NP from a former colleague who used to work at NP. At the time, I was doing a lot of safety work at protests, and she said, “Oh, I could really see you working in this role at NP, you know, beyond providing safety but in a broader context.”   

I already knew Kalaya’an Mendoza, NP Head of Programs in the U.S., from supporting protests and doing safety work together, and another colleague who used to work at NP also encouraged me. They all knew me, and they all believed I was capable of taking on the role at NP. What really drew me to NP was the chance to learn more about safety beyond the physical aspects—like the psychosocial, technological, and overall Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP).   

What are some of your proudest moments at NP? 

One of my proudest accomplishments has been gaining the confidence to lead our community safety trainings and guide safety teams during times of heightened risk from anti-Asian hate. My journey began with the Safe Walk and Safe Zones project, where I accompanied Asian elders to ensure they reached their destinations safely and shared vital safety resources with local businesses. If you’d asked me three years ago if I could see myself leading a training or heading up a safety team, I would’ve said no. But now, I’ve grown into it.   

One specific moment that stands out was my first solo training for Damayan Migrants Association, one of the members of the #HopeAgainstHate project. It was for Filipino nannies, and I was nervous at first. But I knew the material, and as I started, everything just began to flow. By the end, everyone was clapping, and that moment showed me I was making an impact.   

Who or what inspires you to do this work? 

My biggest inspiration has always been the communities we support. Seeing people from similar backgrounds as me feel empowered to take on roles in their communities inspires me to keep going. Every time we support an organization or a community, I see that same growth in my personal life. It’s given me a newfound appreciation for the world and makes me optimistic about the impact we can have.   

Any final thoughts you'd like to share about your work? 

I’m just grateful to be part of an organization that disrupts cycles of violence and fosters cycles of growth. This journey has been about more than just me—it’s about creating safer, stronger communities. It means a lot to be part of that.   

Nonviolent Peaceforce has shown me that anyone can play a role in fostering peace and justice. If you’re passionate about these values, there are ways to contribute, whether through volunteering, learning about Unarmed Civilian Protection, or supporting local safety initiatives. Together, we can build communities that reflect the world we want to see.