Photos by Monica Morgan Photography In a city that is nearly 80 percent Black, it shouldn’t be a surprise to hear that some of Detroit’s most hallowed institutions and organizations have Black leaders at the helm. But when reality sets in and the layers get peeled back, it’s easier to see that despite the demographic makeup of the residents, many of these institutions have been slow to call on Black women and men to lead. Certainly, there are Black leaders across all spectrums – business, law enforcement, nonprofit, education,

“Don’t settle for average. Bring your best to the moment. Then, whether it fails or succeeds, at least you know you gave all you had. We need to live the best that’s in us.” – Angela Bassett The 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference was a watershed moment in Michigan’s political landscape, and the conference chair, Suzanne Shank – President, CEO, and Co-Founder of the largest Black-owned full-service investment banking firm – was the driving force behind so much of its success. Shank, a renowned business leader and advocate for diversity