With some working as members of community organizations, CEO’s, in corporate offices and other influentials roles – this group is special.
Read each winner’s bio below and we are sure you will be as impressed as we were about this group of talented doers.
Martell Anderson
Upon graduating from the prestigious Detroit Country Day School, Martell attended the University of Michigan where he was influenced by Gregory Mathis Jr. to study finance and economics. At UofM, he joined Pi Kappa Alpha where he would learn the true value of being a scholar, leader, and gentlemen. Martell educated himself extensively on the markets, and began trading. By the time he was a junior, the country’s top financial firms were interested in acquiring his talent.
Martell accepted a position as an investment banker with JPMorgan where he naturally acquired, developed, and deepened relationships with clients. Martell’s tenacious work ethic led to unprecedented achievements. In both 2013 and 2014, Martell was designated as a “National Achiever,” (top 1% of bankers in the country), also receiving the most elite title “President’s Club Banker,” which meant top 100 bankers in the country.
Determination and diligence allowed Martell to advance in his journey when he joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as a Financial Advisor where he is utilizing his skills to do what he loves most.
Most importantly, he realizes that these accomplishments are a representation of not only himself, but of the mentors, friends, and family- especially his mother, who have all contributed to his success.
Kyle Bartell
Kyle Bartell is an urban planner and Co-founder of Sit On It Detroit, a project that builds benches at bus-stops out of reclaimed wood with little libraries built into the design. Over the past three years SOI Detroit has built over 50+ benches at bus-stops in Detroit and has distributed over 10,000 articles of literature. Kyle Bartell along with his partner Charles have received national and and international recognition for their work in providing a better quality of life for transit riders and has expanded the project into other countries {Toronto, Canada and Brussels, Belgium}. SOI Detroit had the privilege of working with amazing community groups, companies, corporations and philanthropic organizations large and small.
Prior to starting Sit On It Detroit, Kyle Bartell grew up on Detroit’s NW on Outer Drive. Bartell attended Detroit Public Schools and often utilized public transportation to commute to school and baseball practice which sparked his interest in sustainable planning. Bartell was accepted into Wayne State University where he studied Urban Planning and Business. He later on worked with Wayne State University Center For Urban Studies as a research assistant and community organizer for the Midtown Urban Safety Project. Bartell has put his academic and work experience into running his company and project full time. Looking forward Bartell looks to provide more jobs and career opportunities for citizen who have that shared vision of building a better Detroit.
Ron Bartell
Ron Bartell is a native of the City of Detroit. Ron graduated from Renaissance High School. Ron attended Central Michigan University and Howard University where he studied Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. He is married with three children.
Ron was drafted in the second round of the 2005 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams. Ron played 9 years in the NFL, ending his career as a Detroit Lion.
Ron is the owner and CEO of Kuzzo’s Chicken and Waffles located at 19345 Livernois Avenue in Detroit. It was two years in the making, but Kuzzo’s opened its doors in February, 2015. Kuzzo’s is a family style restaurant offering southern-style cuisine. The vision was to give the Livernois area an upscale, casual dining option. Kuzzo’s has been a welcome addition to the Avenue of Fashion.
Shawn Blanchard
Throughout his humble beginnings he has evolving into an upstanding gentleman and exactly what he needed as a child to many. Through co-founding a successful mentoring program—which extended to legal guardianship of a teenager, obtaining multiple degrees, leading a math department to the top 5% in NYC, then teaching mathematics at the University of Michigan, co-founding a fitness movement (Run This Town/Networkingout), being featured as Essence Magazine’s, Man of the Month, and most recently featured on CNN’s “Impact Your World” he has defined what it means to be a modern day “Renaissance Man”.
Blanchard serves in the city of Detroit’s Mayoral Cabinet as the Director of Youth Services. Throughout his tenure he has successfully launched a citywide elementary soccer league and provided nearly 5600 jobs for youth ages 14-24. He also serves as the Detroit Mayor’s Office Liaison for President Barack Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative and serves on a number of boards, e.g. Detroit’s Workforce Development and Real Life 101. Recently, he has been selected as the 2015 University of Michigan Emerging Leader for his leadership and dedication to community service.
Nikkiya Branch
Nikkiya T. Branch, 36, is a Senior Attorney at the Perkins Law Group PLLC in Detroit, primarily practicing in the areas of civil litigation with a focus on employment law. Nikkiya also currently serves as the City Attorney for the City of Highland Park. Through these avenues, she has been able to make great strides in the area of law and has been intricately involved in complex transactions including being a part of the team that prevented an Emergency Manager from being appointed in Highland Park by successfully leading the City through the Neutral Evaluation Process under Michigan’s Public Act 436, commonly known as the Emergency Manager law.
Nikkiya has a deep passion to ensure that all people have access to quality legal representation. Often times people are denied justice because of the quality of legal representation they receive. As such, Nikkiya developed a Pro Bono program at her firm to assist low income citizens who need quality representation.
Nikkiya loves to give back and to help to prepare the future leaders of tomorrow. To this end, she enjoys the opportunities she has to mentor law students and provide them with opportunities to become great assets to the practice of law. She currently serves on the Board of the Wolverine Bar Association and is the Chair of the Judicial Externship Committee and the Minority Bar Passage Committee.
In her spare time, Nikkiya makes it a priority to travel. She has recently enjoyed trips to Dubai, the South Riviera in Spain and Costa Rica. Nikkiya attends Third New Hope Baptist Church where she studies and grows in her faith under the leadership of her awesome father, Pastor Edward L. Branch.
Major Clora
Major Clora, Jr. is the President and Founder of the Clora Funeral Home with two locations in Detroit and River Rouge, MI. Major became the youngest funeral home owner in the state of Michigan in 2008. Personal service, the hallmark of his business sets Clora Funeral Home a part in a highly competitive industry. The Clora Funeral Home has become one of the nation’s premiere funeral homes.
With the philosophy that a funeral service is more a celebration of life than a mourning of loss Major has an innovative approach to serving bereaved families. He embraces traditional and creates unique tributes for families to celebrate their loved ones. At the Clora Funeral Home, Major’s compassion for families exudes, yielding him as a leader in his industry.
His zeal for community service has transpired into the launch of Community Days to the surrounding neighborhoods where he partners with community agencies to provide resources and food baskets for those in need.
He is a strong proponent on the value of education and the vast opportunities’ that it can afford one. He has established the Clora Funeral Home Scholarship which is awarded to students who are majoring in the sciences field.
A graduate of Cass Technical High School and Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science. Major was the second African American to serve as class president of the School of Mortuary Science.
He believes firmly in his faith in God and is a member of Second Ebenezer Church. Major is also an active member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
LaToya Cunningham
Founder and Creative Director, LaToya Cunningham, is a driven, enthusiastic and detail oriented leader who realized her purpose and passion for public relations eight years ago while serving as Publicist for a local church in metro Detroit. LaToya’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish Cunningham Consulting Agency, LLC in 2011, a boutique public relations firm specializing in the entertainment industry.
In the summer of 2014, LaToya rebranded her company to Posh PR & Events, LLC, a full-service public relations and event planning firm catering to the arts and the non-profit industry. As a Public Relations Specialist and Event Planner – with an eye for fashion – she knew it was time to combine her knowledge and passion and create a brand that would align with her purpose to serve others.
LaToya received her undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University and a MBA degree from Lawrence Technological University. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Southfield Alumnae Chapter and continually serves the community as Vice President of the National Black Public Relations Society – Detroit Chapter and the Urban Rose Foundation.
Amina Daniels
Amina is a high energy results oriented professional with over 10 years of experience in luxury retail management and client service expertise. During her time in New York City, she managed top revenue generating locations of French Connection, Michael Kors, Juicy Couture, and opened flagship locations of G-Star and Tommy Hilfiger.
As a social media and freelance writer she has assisted organizations in increasing brand awareness, revenue generation, and enhancing online engagement through social media.
Amina was also a frequent guest on the Combat Jack Show in addition to co-hosting Reality Check; a podcast on the Loud Speakers Network. Daniels has over a decade of experience working in urban markets, such as New York, LA and Atlanta.
Amina fell in love with cycling while living in New York City. There she discovered that cycling was not only a great source of exercise but it was an eco-friendly transportation alternative. Amina is also an avid yogi and is passionate about connecting individuals to fitness. Amina’s involvement in a bicycle accident prompted her realization for a space that promoted awareness and safety.
Lateshia Dowell
Lateshia Dowell wants to live in a world where little girls aspire to be entrepreneurs instead of princesses, where everyone knows the difference between there, their and they’re and where dessert is always served first.
When she’s not dancing in her kitchen while whipping up new recipes for her signature piekies (pie cookies), you may see her promoting the brand on TV or at a local farmers market.
Lateshia is passionate about HIV/AIDS awareness and has participated in AIDS Walk Detroit for the last five years. Twenty percent of the proceeds from Flaky Bakes are donated to local organizations that support HIV/AIDS awareness.
As a media professional with 10 years of experience, she is a jackie-of-all-trades. She can write a lead, breaking news article, press release and tweet with a few characters to spare. She’s worked for some of the top local news outlets, including the Detroit Free Press, Local 4 (WDIV) and CBS Detroit.
If she’s not baking, you can find her glued to her laptop or cell phone—serving as the engagement specialist for Zoup! Fresh Soup Company—or exploring Detroit like a tourist instead of a native.
Tesenga Sha´ Duncan Smith
Tesenga Shá Duncan Smith is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Michigan (U of M) Ross School of Business. Shá provides strategic direction for diversity and inclusion policies and initiatives in the Michigan Ross Community. She works in collaboration with other U of M units and with institutions throughout the U.S. to share diversity and inclusion best practices and strategies to enhance the academic and social experiences of students.
Shá’s work includes fostering positive and inclusive environments that facilitate cross-cultural engagement and understanding. Shá’s career exhibits a strong commitment to equity and access in higher education. She conducts research and practices in the areas of equity and access in higher education. Shá’s current study focuses on innovative higher education business models that constrain the cost of attendance and help to keep higher education accessible and attainable.
Shá is a doctoral candidate in Educational Management at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. She earned a Master of Social Work Degree in Social Policy and Evaluation and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Bryant L. George
Born and raised on the Northwest side of Detroit, Bryant L. George is the Executive Director of the Real Life 101 Scholarship Fund – A National Scholarship and Mentoring Program for African American males. Mr. George became the first in his family to earn a four-year degree from Madonna University. Bryant made a commitment to obtain his degree after witnessing many of his childhood peers (black males) become incarcerated or dead after high school.
Bryant founded the Bridging Lost Gaps (BLG) scholarship and mentorship program – for African American males from Detroit, MI, at Madonna University. Due to his dedication and service in higher education, Mr. George has received local and national recognition such as: The Distinguished Man of Benevolence Award: Spirit of Detroit Award, Detroit City Council (2013 & 2014): Black Male Engagement – Detroit Leadership Award: Real Life 101 Scholarship Fund Graduate Alumni of the Year Award: WXYZ Channel 7 Detroit 2020 -ACT Award Finalist: Real Life 101 Scholarship Fund Mentor of the Year Award.
George is finishing his Master’s Degree in Higher Education Student Affairs.
Sharon L. Harris
Seeing the need for financial support for metro Detroit Lupus Warriors, Sharon L. Harris created Lupus Detroit in 2011 to fill the void. Having been diagnosed with the disease at 22 years of age, she created Lupus Detroit. To date, Lupus Detroit has raised close to $50,000 for Lupus Warriors. The funds are used to satisfy debts that Lupus Warriors may have with DTE, to purchase medications and to offset some of their hospital care. This year’s Walk, held on September 5th, saw 800 participants! At the inaugural Walk, Sharon was awarded a “Spirit of Detroit” award by Detroit City Council President, Brenda Jones.
The sought after lupus advocate has been a guest on a variety of Detroit radio and television stations. Sharon has also graced the front page of the Detroit Free Press’ Health section and has been mentioned in Essence magazine. She was also the subject of a lupus segment that went viral in four hours on the PBS show ‘A Wider World’. Sharon has travelled to Washington D.C to lobby Congress and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on behalf of those with lupus.
When the ex-flight attendant is not penning articles for the Detroit Free Press, Tampa Tribune or the Michigan Chronicle, she can be found volunteering or putting the finishing touches on two novels. The former on-air gospel personality is a proponent of everyone can do something and goes about her days improving the lives of others.
A native Detroiter, Sharon is a graduate of Renaissance High School and Florida A and M University where she majored in Broadcast Journalism and minored in French.
Sean Jackson
Sean D. Jackson is a 2007 graduate of the University Of Detroit Mercy School Of Dentistry. Over the past 4 years he has extensive experience in working in Community Health Dental Clinic environment. He’s the CEO of Elderly Oral Health Care Consulting, Inc. which he founded in 2013. The Non-Profit Organization provides free mobile dental services in over 55 multiple underserved low income communities throughout Southeast Michigan from Detroit through Ann Arbor. Dental services are provided directly inside Nursing Homes, Churches, Adult Foster Care Homes, Private Home visits, Substance Abuse Clinics, Homeless Shelters, as well as a “Youth Division” that provide dental services inside schools. In addition to dental services, his organization also provides free educational dental seminars on prevention and management of dental related diseases with hands on training.
Sean lives by the principle of use the gift(s) GOD gave to provide a valuable service to someone else in need. Take your gift to the next level and provide a solution to a problem and own the solution. Ownership is key to the development of legacy in our community.
James Logan
James Logan is the founder and CEO of Hire Level Coaching, a high-performance career coaching firm for young professionals. He is a regular guest on Fox 2 Detroit’s Job Shop and shares his expertise by sitting on panels, delivering keynote speeches and running weekly workshops. So far, Hire Level Coaching has helped more than 300 people advance their careers through one-on-one and group coaching services. Prior to running his company full-time, he served as the BBA Program Outreach Coordinator for the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan where he helped underrepresented minorities gain access to one of the best undergraduate business programs in the world. Prior to Ross, James worked as the International Recruitment Coordinator for the University of Michigan-Flint where he traveled to more than 30 countries to recruit international students.
James graduated with a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Michigan in 2008. While a student at Michigan, James walked-on to the football team, winning a Big Ten Championship during his freshman season. As a result of his community service efforts, he won multiple campus and state-wide leadership awards. More recently, he won the “Five under 10 Award” by the University of Michigan Black Alumni given to five alum who graduated within 10 years for positively impacting the community. In 2012, he received the Black Male Faculty/Staff of the Year Award by Sigma Ghamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
James was born and raised in Detroit and attended public school his entire life. In 2010, James received the Alumni Achievement Award from his Alma Mater, Mumford High School in Detroit, where he gave the Class of 2010 Commencement Address.
In his spare time, James enjoys traveling, writing, reading and spending quality time with his wife Brittany, and their three sons, James II, Jacob, and Jackson.
Keiana Love
Keiana Love is a rising Energy leader. Currently, she is a Program Manager at Consumers Energy, one of the nation’s largest combination utilities and investors in Michigan. Love leads the strategic alignment of Field Mobility and Technology. Her responsibilities include the management, selection, and implementation of field technologies within Gas and Electric Operations.
Love’s experience ranges from engineering, operations, project management, and change management. Prior to joining Consumers Energy, she held engineering and leadership roles at General Motors. Love holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Walsh College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Michigan State University. She is also a certified project management professional.
A native Detroiter of humble beginnings, Love passionately seeks opportunities to be a corporate champion in the community. She impacts and supports the region by being an advocate and volunteering. Love is a proud graduate of the Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit Program. She serves as the Michigan Chapter’s Vice President for the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE). Love also sits on the 20 Books Literacy Nonprofit board as Treasurer.
Sheila Marable
Sheila is a Treasury Management Officer and Certified Treasury Professional at PNC Bank responsible for cash flow analysis through which she provides a consultative approach that helps her clients develop strategic solutions for managing their business cash flow more efficiently. With over 17 years in the financial services industry, she also has experience in International Private Banking, Commercial Credit Analysis and Lending.
She holds a B.B.A. in Marketing and B.A. in Japanese from Eastern Michigan University and is a member of the Detroit Treasury Management Association, Treasurer for the American Business Women’s Association Novi Oaks Charter Chapter, and is a volunteer, advocate and Certification Review Committee member for the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council. She recently joined the Advisory Committee for Pro-Literacy Detroit.
Sheila is also a dedicated member of New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit and serves as a Deaconess and on other ministries with her husband and daughter including Project Cotton Candy, which hosts birthday parties for children living in shelters. Sheila has been married for 17 wonderful years to husband, Gary, and resides in Canton with their daughter, Imani.
Michelle Matthews-Alexander
Michelle Matthews-Alexander currently serves as Assistant Diversity Marketing Manager as part of General Motors Diversity Marketing Center of Excellence.
Michelle brings a wealth of multicultural automotive experience and has spent the past seven and 1/2 years leading Ford and Lincoln’s multicultural public relations efforts specific to the African American market for the UniWorld Group. This experience included developing and executing on the strategic public relations plans for such high-profile events as the Essence Festival, Steve Harvey Neighborhood Awards and the BET Awards. Prior to that role she spent over four years heading up the internal communications efforts at Nissan’s North American engineering facility in Farmington Hills, MI.
Before joining Nissan, Michelle spent two years honing her communications skills as part of General Electric’s Corporate Communications Leadership Development Program.
In her current role, Michelle works to provide strategic marketing assistance to drive insights, focus and coordination in support of the brand’s growth plans specific to Chevy Cars/Crossovers and Cadillac within the diversity marketing space.
Additional responsibilities include serving as a point of contact for external marketing partnerships and opportunities within the diversity marketing space as well as leading diversity marketing efforts tied to proprietary research.
Michelle graduated Magna Cum Laude from Michigan State University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism.
Outside of her current diversity marketing role, Michelle is the founder and publisher of www.blackglamourmom.com, an online mommy lifestyle destination inspired by her three-year-old son.
Collin Mays
Collin Mays is one of Michigan’s fastest rising political stars. Mr. Mays attended Western Michigan University where he was very active on campus and held numerous positions including, President of the WMU College Democrats and Chairman of Political Affairs for the Student Association. Collin began his career interning for the Michigan State Senate and Wayne County Corporation Counsel. Mays is perhaps best known for his entrepreneurial efforts where he would provide campaign services to numerous successful candidates.
Mays is a 2012 Who’s Who in Black Detroit inductee as well as a 2014 Young Democrat of the Year. Collin has appeared on numerous television and radio programs as well as being featured in multiple publications. He previously served as District Director to State Representative Vicki Barnett and currently serves as District Director to State Senator David Knezek.
Collin is a member of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church. Mays is also a member of the NAACP, Urban League of Detroit, MDP, and the National Organization of Blacks in Government. Through his professional achievements, personal endeavors and community involvement Mr. Mays has proven to be a champion both inside and outside the realm of Government.
Malcolm Miller
Malcolm is the lead sales consultant at Walker Miller Energy Services LLC, a Detroit energy management company. In this position he is responsible for overseeing the commercial sales team by coaching energy advisers in assessing customer needs, and supporting them in analyzing customer data and solving customer issues.
Malcolm received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Fisk University. While at Fisk Malcolm was granted membership into the great fraternity of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. where he served as Polemarch for the Alpha Delta Chapter until graduation in 2013. Post graduation he has been passionate about the energy efficiency and sustainability scene in the city of Detroit. He has been involved heavily in programs throughout the city that devote their efforts to the education of our people on topics such as energy efficiency, sustainability, and even food justice.
Malcolm is son to Carla Walker Miller and Robert Miller, long time citizens and entrepreneurs in the city of Detroit and big brother to Madeline Miller a sophomore at Spelman College who is undoubtedly in a category of her own.
Dr. Cleamon Moorer Jr.
Cleamon is the dean of Madonna University’s School of Business.
Cleamon earned a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from Kettering University. Later he went on to pursue and earn an MBA and a MS in Management & Organizational Behavior both from Benedictine University. Lastly, he earned a DBA from Argosy University.
Cleamon is the founder and Board Member, Ex-Officio of Dr. C Moorer & Associates, Inc., a registered 501c3 scholarship-providing and grant-making organization whose mission is to motivate educators and students to achieve great promise that results in improved global citizenship.
Dr. Moorer is the author of From Failure to Promise: 360 Degrees. From Failure to Promise has held the #1 top-rated spot on Amazon in the US and Canada on several occasions in the genre of memoirs/biographies of educators.
He has been interviewed on several radio and television programs, most recently featured on Community Media Network’s Television program titled, Reaching Out, ABC12, CBSDetroit, NBC25-Flint, WJR760, and WXYZ7 Detroit.
He and his beautiful wife of 15 years (Nicole) and their 4 sons reside in Rochester Hills, MI.
Loretta A. Morman
Loretta is a licensed therapist, adjunct professor and performing arts coach with degrees from Michigan State University (B.A. in psychology) and University of Chicago (M.A. in Social Service Administration). Loretta specializes in holistic therapy and also teaches etiquette classes, gives workshops and keynote speeches. As a national youth empowerment speaker, Loretta advocates for young girls to gain a healthy and wholesome sense of self-worth and self-esteem. She believes she has been called to help motivate young people to live beyond the boundaries of their cultures and exceed the limits of their environments. Loretta’s passion for the performing arts, and love for young people have been the leading factors in her desire of establishing her own business, Life Beyond the Norm, LLC. Loretta’s overall mission is to please God and to always be true to herself while continuously serving others. Loretta’s first book targeted for young women of color is called: Hello My Name is BEAUTIFUL. Available on Amazon. For more information on Loretta A. Morman, visit www.lorettaamorman.com
Erica Murphy
Erica Murphy has worked in the broadcast news business since 2008 when she accepted her first paid position as executive producer of “Inside Detroit with Mildred Gaddis” on WCHB. Murphy has worked as a news anchor, reporter, producer, editor and writer. Some of the stations she has worked for include WWJ Newsradio 950, WDET 101.9 FM, WJR Newstalk 760 and WCHB 1200 AM. In April, Erica transitioned from WWJ to WJR to take on a role as a news anchor and reporter. In September, she also joined WJBK’s Fox 2 News team as a writer and assignment editor. Erica aspires to become a TV news reporter and anchor one day.
Erica is the proud mother of one daughter, Paige Coleman. In her free time she enjoys ballroom dancing, couponing and singing karaoke.
A Canadian national who moved to Detroit in the late 80’s, Ms. Murphy received the bulk of her education in the Detroit Public School system as well as Wayne State University.
Jackie Palmer
Founded by Jackie Palmer in 2009, GoodLif Media has been helping brands across the nation for over six years. Jackie has over 12 years of experience in small business operations, digital marketing and brand coaching. (REMOVE THIS PARAGRAPH-REDUNDANT)
Jackie Palmer is the President and CEO of GoodLif(e) Media. She has over ten years of operations and marketing experience and has been helping brands across the nation for over six years.
With over 12 years of experience in small business operations, digital marketing and brand coaching, she has been able to form long term partnerships and relationships and develop viable strategic and financing planning initiatives for new and evolving businesses.
Prior to starting GoodLif(e) Media, she worked at Lehman Brothers, Standard & Poor’s, New York State and City government agencies and consulted for variety of small businesses and startups.
Jackie has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Economics and International Business from Spelman College. She speak Japenese, German, and Spanish. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Economic Development at Wayne State University.
Monte Perkins
William Montez Perkins II, known by most as Monte is the General Manager of Merollis Chevrolet. At a young age, Monte spent time in every department working many different positions, at one of his father’s stores. After completing his BBA degree at Northwood University, majoring in Automotive Management, while on a full ride football scharlorship, Monte joined the family business full time. Taking a management role at Merollis had its challenges and still does for the young General Manager of a business retailing over 2,000 vehicles a year generating over 60,000,000 in revenue. A few of his responsibilities are gaining the confidence of employees by sharing a vision for Merollis they can buy into, controlling expenses and keeping the employees motivated and focused. Monte has enjoyed taking a company started by his father, and molding it for the future.
Throughout his adult life Monte has continued to stay connected to local youth programs. The Southfield Lathrup Falcons Football Program, where Monte started his leadership career as quarterback, invited him to speak at the end of the year banquet. Monte chose to speak on “Life after Football” and the business world he is in. Monte feels that it is vital that the youth today see there are opportunities to be successful other than becoming a professional athlete or entertainer.
Monte is single and resides in Royal Oak, MI, and is still involved in sports. He is a member of the newly formed Empowerment Church located in Southfield.
Ebony Rivers
Ebony Rivers is the Mobile Mammography Marketing Specialist for St. John Providence Health System, where she leveraged her expertise in business development and brand management to strategically plan and implement the first mobile mammography program for the health system. From its launch in April 2015, the program has far exceeded its performance goals and is on track to exceed its goals for the 2015 calendar year; screening more than 500 women for breast cancer at more than 45 community sites in the Detroit Metropolitan Area.
Prior to her career in healthcare, Ms. Rivers spent 13 years in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry as a brand manager with an emphasis on strategic planning, business development, project management, marketing & analytics.
Upon graduating from Finney High School, Ms. Rivers continued her education by earning a B.S. in Food Industry Management from Michigan State University, an MBA from Case Western Reserve University, and is currently completing a Master of Health Services Administration degree at the University of Detroit Mercy.
Jasmen Sheffield- Sadler
Since birth my parents have instilled the value of hard work and determination. Using those same values, I earned the title of Class Valedictorian of Wayne Memorial High School in 2007 and my graduation photo was painted on the Wayne History Mural where it remains. Following my dream, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Wayne State University with a Bachelors in Accounting (2011) and a Masters in Business Administration (2013). Through much research, I raised over $135,000 in scholarships and was able to complete both programs without being introduced to Sallie Mae (debt free). I worked full-time throughout college and have had the opportunity to experience accounting in both the public and private sector. I am grateful for those opportunities.
During the 2015 Emmy Awards Viola Davis gave a phenomenal speech after making history, a portion of which applies to many of our lives. Davis said, “The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity”. Working in Corporate America, I represent the minority and I intend to always represent it well. Opportunity hasn’t always been at my fingertips; contrary to popular belief, opportunity doesn’t always knock. Sometimes you have find opportunity’s door, knock it down and walk through it yourself. I am currently knocking down doors. Congratulations to the other recipients.
Andrea L. Smith
Andrea Smith currently serves as a Manager of Clinical Specialists with the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority. This role is primarily responsible for assisting in the implementation, and monitoring of clinical service models and strategically planning and implementing ways to address the gaps through training and Grantsmanship.
Andrea is certified to instruct QPR-a suicide prevention program, and is also certified as a National Council for Behavioral Healthcare Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Through this, participants are provided with an introductory overview of behavioral health issues that they may encounter in their daily positions.
Andrea is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Health Administration Program at Central Michigan University, and received her Master of Social Work degree from Eastern Michigan University. She has held positions of Program Evaluator, Project Manager, Veteran Supportive Housing Coordinator, Guest Lecturer, Research Associate, and Child Development Specialist.
She enjoys spending time with her husband of eleven years; a Military Combat Veteran, and their five young children. She is very passionate about homeless military veterans and minorities who are educationally and economically disadvantaged.
Lauren Stovall
Lauren Stovall affectionately known as “L” is the fashion stylist and director of affairs at the oldest mens clothing store in Downtown Detroit Hot Sams and she is owner of the newly emerging LifeStyle Concierge Reminisce. Being away from home for 9 years while living in the Sunshine State working and attending college at Florida A&M University Lauren realized there is really no place like home. Her mission was to be apart of the revitalization that was happening in her hometown of Detroit. Upon returning home in 2009 and working in corporate America was not fulfilling for this free spirit. Lauren left corporate in 2011 and emerged as a budding entrepreneur with Reminisce Boutique. Embracing her passion for fashion specifically vintage fashion for its rareness and uniqueness much like her personality. Since then blessings have blossomed. “L” has grown her business into a LifeStyle brand, she is being groomed by father Tony Stovall to takeover Hot Sams, she has been featured in the New York Times Style Section, she was a professional on Channel 4 “Live in the D” show, she is a prevention specialist with NCADD a non profit in Detroit, she is active in her church Empowerment. She lives a life of gratitude because she knows where her help and strength comes from.Her favorite scripture is Phillipians 4:13 “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.”
Thomas Walker
A homegrown label, the DETROIT VS EVERYBODY brand embodies the pride and unapologetic spirit of our beloved Detroit. Every item has been designed with love and crafted with care by Tommey Walker, a self-professed commissioned artist, brand manager and creative problem solver. Consider the DVE brand your official Detroit welcoming committee. We are the city; take us with you.
Fed up with the media’s continual bashing and lack of cultural recognition for the place that has contributed so much to the world and society, Walker originally envisioned a brand that could “rebuild Detroit’s image through the restored pride of Detroiters universally”, so he founded our company. A simple concept with a powerful message is all it took for Detroit native Tommey Walker to be the first to inspire his city with the “Vs Everybody” message. The brand Detroit Vs Everybody sought to unite the city of Detroit while politely flipping the bird to the rest of the world.
In 2012, Walker released the original successful “Vs. Everybody”
collection. The city took to it immediately, and it has become a forceful movement in and around the city and country. With overwhelming success, DVE is continually growing and has attracted local, national and international credits. To date, Detroit Vs Everybody has had countless media and press coverage and received airtime on a wide range of platforms including The Colbert Report, Fox 2 News Detroit, and American Idol while being modeled by host Keith Urban. The impact of the brand has even reached well into the world of sports, news and entertainment, and caught the attention of many celebrities including Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Big Sean, Drake, Nas and has licensed the mantra to Eminem and Shady Records for an ongoing “Shady Vs. Everybody” collaboration.
Samantha White
Sam’s innate, resourceful Detroit spirit, coupled with her passion for literature (c/o of her mother who didn’t allow her children to listen to rap music and instead shared the Bard’s lyrics) created a life-long love for William Shakespeare’s works. But a trip to the Utah Shakespeare Festival, while living in Las Vegas, gave Sam what Oprah calls an “Ah Ha” moment to start a Shakespeare company in her hometown of Detroit. She went on to later begin Shakespeare in Detroit with its introduction to the city at Grand Circus Park in 2013.
Shakespeare in Detroit has been recognized by The Huffington Post, The Detroit News, the Detroit Free Press, the BBC and several other media outlets. The company was honored to have iconic photographer Cris Crisman visit Detroit to shoot the troupe for the cover of the February 2015 edition of Southwest airlines’ in-flight magazine. The young company took home both categories for Best of the Bard in acting and directing at this year’s Wilde Awards for professional theatre.
Doug Williams
As an Enterprise Account Technology Strategist, Mr. Williams is responsible for driving sales and customer success of the ever-growing Microsoft platform of technologies for a handful of Fortune 500 Customers.
Williams, native of Scottsboro, AL, completed a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from Alabama State University (Montgomery, AL), and a MBA degree with a specialization in Information Systems from Troy University (Troy, AL).
Since relocating to Metro-Detroit in 2012, Williams’ passion has been embodied in his commitment to making a difference in the local community around him. Mr. Williams actively serves as a non-profit board member for the Shiloh Community Restoration Foundation, Inc., annual keynote speaker for Microsoft’s “Powered to Dream” Youth Technology Camp, and is an active mentor via Big Brothers/Big Sisters Detroit.
In addition, Mr. Williams is an active mentor via Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Detroit as well as donor to several other local philanthropic causes such as The Children’s Center and The Heart and Warmth Fund (THAW), which strives to eliminate Human Suffering by providing funding and special assistance to Michigan-based families in need.
Essence Wilson
Essence Wilson has dedicated herself to developing people and places to transform communities. She co-founded Communities First, Inc., a nonprofit community development corporation with her husband, Glenn Wilson. The organization works to impact distressed communities through affordable housing, economic development, arts and culture outreach, and environmental education. This holistic approach to community development is producing lasting community change. Her efforts in grant writing and project management have helped the organization secure more than $14 million of investment for the local community.
Essence has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Kettering University and is pursuing a master’s degree in management, strategy and leadership at Michigan State University. This education and prior experience working at General Motors helped her develop as a leader and innovator, which has served her well in the nonprofit arena.
Motivated by her experiences as an engineer, Essence recently co-developed a program for girls called Curiosity Academy. This program is a collaborative community effort to increase the number of women in STEM. She previously coordinated Kagle Leadership Initiatives, a mentoring and leadership program at Kettering University.
Essence serves on committees in education, the arts and government with the goal of challenging the status quo and making life better for others. She is a dynamic and informative speaker, presenting on leadership, community development, personal growth, and youth programming.
Xavier A. Wilson
Xavier Wilson is the director of the Michigan League at the University of Michigan where he manages and leads the 130,000 square foot historic student union that opened in 1929 and today hosts approximately 5,000 events. The Michigan League includes a twenty-one room hotel, several food and retail operations, comfortable lounge space, and is a popular destination for conferences, weddings, and other special events.
Xavier also manages the leased retail spaces within the Michigan League, Michigan Union and Pierpont Commons, and advises the Michigan League Board of Governors and Friends of the Michigan League. With the Friends of the Michigan League, Xavier produces an annual dinner theatre fundraiser event.
Xavier’s experience includes more than 15 years of leadership, student engagement, and facility management in higher education including student unions, residence life and institutional advancement for both private and public institutions.
Xavier has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Winona State University, Winona, Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Electronic Publishing from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. He enjoys presenting dramatic readings of Dr. M. L. King’s I have a Dream speech, cooking Louisiana cuisine, and encouraging college students to be successful through motivational talks.
Laurie Underwood
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Laurie Underwood is a Fashion Designer of her own label, Wanda Grace, based in Chicago, IL. She attended Cass Technical High School, where she studied Fashion Illustration and Design. Upon graduating, she moved to Chicago to attend the Illinois Institute of Art, where she would soon start to pursue her childhood dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Laurie’s professional experience in fashion included interning for the Midwest sales group for Rocawear and working as a contracted Sales Reps for various urban wear lines. Upon completing her Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, she went forth to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Retail Marketing & Management, where she would then focus on the business of fashion. Soon after, Laurie started her brand Wanda Grace in 2008 with just 50.00. Wanda Grace is a line of ready-to-wear style driven pieces for the woman who has to work, but loves to play. She continued to build her brand and build awareness through an online store and the social media. In 2015, Laurie was casted as a contestant on Emmy- winning Lifetime’s Project Runway. After have completed the competition, Laurie has expanded her fashion brand into a lifestyle brand with the purpose of empowering women through style.
Kelley Carter
Kelley L. Carter’s byline has graced the pages of national and international media outlets, including USA Today, Vibe, BuzzFeed, Ebony, Essence, ESPN, BBC, MTV News, the Chicago Tribune, and the Detroit Free Press.The Michigan State University graduate’s expertise in providing meaningful perspective on music, film, television, and celebrity topics has led to regular appearances on several TV networks. CNN, HLN, E!, Fox News, MSNBC and the TV Guide Channel are among outlets that regularly tap Carter to deliver commentary on entertainment and provide breaking entertainment news updates. Carter has interviewed many of music’s and Hollywood’s elite, including Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, Jada Pinkett Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Denzel Washington, Drew Barrymore, Jamie Foxx, Mark Wahlberg, Katie Holmes, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Tyler Perry, Taraji P. Henson, Ben Stiller, Bradley Cooper, Courteney Cox, Angela Bassett, Jennifer Aniston, Ryan Reynolds, Sandra Bullock, Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Mary J. Blige, Sean Combs, Drake and Big Sean.
David Woods
David Woods is a true visionary of a dream come true. At a very young age, David knew that he would be an entrepreneur and would be a beacon of light for his peers, and everyone else his Spirit of an Enjoyable Detroit touched. He has successfully integrated his unwavering passion for our city to thrive, and his strong business and entrepreneurial acumen, creating a platform for our youth to stand united and uplift our great City.
David’s passion for the youth resulted in the founding of Enjoy Detroit, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization started in 2013, with a passion for contributing positive change to the City of Detroit. David, along with dedicated staff and numerous volunteers of Enjoy Detroit have been able to connect with the youth in the Metropolitan Detroit area, through their volunteer efforts and consistent involvement in city rehabilitation activities and initiatives. David has made giving back look very cool, while wearing apparel with an “Enjoy Detroit” logo proudly across his chest.
David also received the 2014 Payne Pulliam Door Openers Award, Southfield DECA Award, and was featured in Detroit Who’s Who 2015 Edition.
Big Sean
Big Sean’s career has exploded in the last 4 years since the release of his debut album ‘Finally Famous.’ In addition to being recognized by GQ Magazine as 2012’s ‘Hottest Rookie’ and picking up honors at the 2012 BET Awards for ‘Best New Artist,’ Sean also received double Grammy nominations for his collaboration with mentor Kanye West for “Mercy” which also featured G.O.O.D. Music / Def Jam label mate Pusha T and 2 Chainz.
With over 6.3 million Facebook fans to date, over 7.1 million Twitter followers, over 3.9 Instagram followers, over 1 million YouTube subscribers, and more than 387 million YouTube views worldwide, the Detroit MC has been in overdrive since 2007, when his Finally Famous: The Mixtape was first issued, followed by Finally Famous Vol. 2: UKNOWBIGSEAN (2009), Finally Famous Vol. 3: BIG (2010) and Detroit (2012) which was certified “Diamond” by host DatPiff with over 2 million downloads.
Growing up in the motor city, 26-year old Sean Anderson started rapping as a 12-year old at the progressive Waldorf School in Detroit. In high school, he and a friend formed a duo, then entered and won the “Friday Night Cipher” MC contest at hip-hop radio giant Hot 102.7. The win earned them a spot to rap live on-air every Friday night for nearly a year. It was on one of those Friday nights around 2005 that Sean encountered Kanye West (back in the Late Registration era) who agreed to hear the teenager’s freestyle. It was the contact of a lifetime, which led to Sean’s signing with G.O.O.D. Music in late 2007, and his subsequent signing to Def Jam in 2008.
His debut major label effort, ‘Finally Famous’ (released June 2011) made an impressive #3 Soundscan debut in the U.S., inaugurating Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music joint venture with Island Def Jam Music Group. Rolling Stone gave the album 3½ (out of 4) stars, and USA Today gave it 3 (out of 4) stars. The New York Times declared “the fun is contagious,” and used the words “clever,” and “confident,” to describe the best-selling record. Sean subsequently came in #5 on MTV’s “Hottest MCs” List of the Year, boosted by his MTV VMA nomination for Best New Artist. A slew of BET awards nominations including Rookie of the Year, CD of the Year (for “Finally Famous), and both Best Hip Hop Video and Track of the Year (both for “My Last”). ‘Finally Famous’ spun off a triumvirate of crossover hits by Sean that drove album sales for most of 2012: the RIAA gold “My Last” featuring Chris Brown (#1 Rap, #4 R&B, #30 Hot 100 on the U.S. charts); the RIAA gold “Marvin & Chardonnay” featuring Kanye West and Roscoe Dash (#1 R&B, #4 Rap, #32 Hot 100 on the U.S. charts); and the RIAA double-platinum “Dance A$$ (Remix)” featuring Nicki Minaj (#2 Rap, #3 R&B, #10 Hot 100 on the U.S. charts).
Sean released his sophomore effort, “Hall of Fame” in August 2013 to critical acclaim and held an impressive #3 Soundscan debut in the U.S. The Source and XXL gave the album 3 (out of 4) stars. USA Today said about Hall of Fame, “”This is the record that will make Big Sean the superstar he can be. The way he puts words together and the way he crafts his songs, Sean is going to be around for a while.”
2014 also proved to be another milestone year for the Detroit artist, with Sean becoming the first rapper to ever perform at The White House. He also received his first Grammy nomination.
With over 10 million records sold to date, he shows no signs of slowing down. He has released two successful design shoe designs in partnership with adidas Originals.
His latest and third album, Dark Sky Paradise debuted at #1 on Soundscan and it’s lead single, the hit anthem “I.D.F.W.U.” quickly became certified platinum with over 1 million sold.
Billboard said, “With sterling wordplay and a consistent melancholy vibe, the Detroit native took all the tension, the highs and lows, and laid it out on wax, compiling the strongest project of his career.”
His deeply personal and inspiring single off the album, “One Man Can Change The World”, recently won Sean his first moon man at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards for ‘Best Video With A Social Message.’ It was also announced this month that Sean has received 10 nomination at the 2015 BET Hip Hop Awards in the best hip hop video, best collabo and lyricist of the year categories to name a few.
While his professional work as a music artist keeps him extremely busy, Sean always makes time to use his resources and his voice to give back to the community and those in need through his Detroit based non-profit, the Sean Anderson Foundation.
This past summer he donated a recording studio, “Sean Anderson Studio of Infinite Possibilities” for his album matter Cass Tech High School in partnership with adidas Originals.
