The room wasn’t just filled — it was charged. On June 27, some of Southeast Michigan’s most visionary and accomplished Black men convened at Detroit's International Banquet and Conference Center, where the Michigan Chronicle’s 2025 Men of Excellence ceremony reminded residents of the city that greatness lives among us —working, building, and serving every single day. From the opening moment, it was clear this wasn’t a typical awards night. It was a homecoming. A declaration. A reminder that Black men in leadership—from union halls to hospitals, classrooms to

From high school co-op to corner office, Joi Harris’ story isn’t just one of mere corporate ascent—it’s one of Detroit legacy, Black excellence, and community-rooted leadership that has been decades in the making. On September 8, Harris will officially take the reins as president and CEO of DTE Energy, becoming the first woman to lead the Detroit-based energy giant. Her appointment marks a historic milestone not only for the company, but for a city built on grit, brilliance, and generations of Black leaders who have poured into

Taxing speculators more for sitting on unused land is a priority for Detroit mayoral candidate Fred Durhal, who wants to slash $500 off property tax bills for Detroit homeowners. Durhal told Michigan Chronicle in an interview last week the goal of the proposal is to ensure productive use of land across the city. He wants the city to get aggressive going after owners of blighted property. His plan is to lower the property tax millage for residents by about 19.5 mills and make up for it by charging speculators

(photo cred to Lo Braden from the Detroit Creator Shoot in partnership with Micah Shumake) Amber M. Lewis, known online as Social N The City, is on a mission: bring the booming $250 billion creator economy to Detroit and keep it here. Tired of flying to New York and D.C. for influencer opportunities, Lewis decided to flip the script and turn Detroit into a destination, not a detour. Through her company, Social N The City, she’s building a full-blown creator ecosystem in the Motor City with the kind of

Outgoing Morehouse College president David Thomas, alumnus Chad Rhodes and incoming president Dr. F. DuBois Bowman. Photo: Samuel Robinson The distinguished Men of Morehouse from the Morehouse Alumni Association Detroit Chapter gathered at Chandelier downtown on Thursday to raise money for the HBCU and honor the school's outgoing president. The Detroit alumni chapter held its inaugural president's reception as a send-off to outgoing president Dr. David Thomas, the 12th president in the institution's history. Incoming president Dr. F. DuBois Bowman told Michigan Chronicle he loves to see Detroit's talent pipeline

State Representative Donavan McKinney stood on Detroit’s northeast side as a child, witnessing firsthand the impact of housing insecurity, low wages, and inconsistent government support. His family moved more than a dozen times. His mother held multiple jobs to keep the lights on. That upbringing shaped how he approaches policy, accountability, and political service. Now, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has endorsed McKinney for Congress in Michigan’s 13th District. The endorsement came just six weeks into McKinney’s campaign, making it the first public show of support in the race

Born in Benton Harbor, "Detroit Made" former NFL running back for the Detroit Lions Joique Bell is taking his commitment to the city’s youth to the next level this summer, launching a five-week academic and athletic enrichment program designed to empower middle school students through a mix of STEAM learning, sports, mentorship, and real-world career exposure. Set to run from June 23 through July 29 at Wayne State University, the alma mater of Joique Bell, the Joique Bell Charity Summer Enrichment Program is completely free and open to

(L-R) Mayor Steven L. Reed of Montgomery, AL, Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans, LA and Mayor Andre Dickens of Atlanta, GA Credit: Monica Morgan Photography   At the most recent Pancakes and Politics forum III, three prominent Southern mayors, LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans, Steven L. Reed of Montgomery, and Andre Dickens of Atlanta, convened to discuss the unique leadership challenges faced by African American and female mayors in Republican-dominated states. The conversation was live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube, which drew national attention. Along with a mix of civic

Nicole Scott didn’t grow up with the sound of hooves pounding against dirt arenas or the sight of cowboys racing through open chutes. She’s a daughter of Inkster, Mich., and her early experiences didn’t include rodeos—especially not ones showcasing Black riders, ropers, and wranglers. But fate, family, and faith would pull her into a world that would soon become her life’s calling: producing and championing Black rodeos across the country. Her journey began in Denver, Colo., where her family relocated years ago. There, she met extended relatives she’d

Underneath the weight of inequity, Christine Coady Narayanan built a vessel that carried thousands of Michiganders toward ownership, dignity, and possibility. That vessel is Opportunity Resource Fund—a community-rooted institution that’s leveraged over $300 million to uplift people who’ve been told “no” by traditional lenders. This year marks 40 years of that work—and with it, a shift that echoes the heartbeat of Detroit’s legacy of reinvention. After more than three decades of leading the charge for capital justice, Narayanan is preparing to step down. In her place, a new