‘Michigan Chronicle’ Hosts 19th Men of Excellence Awards, Honoring Black Leadership and Distinction

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 courtrooms—carry the weight of generations and still lead with grace, strategy, and conviction.

This year’s class included CEOs, educators, public servants, and community builders. It also featured giants who’ve shaped Detroit’s historical and civic fabric for decades. Bishop Edgar Vann, George P. Barnes Jr., and Conrad Mallett were each honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their years of transformative leadership, vision, and service.

Bishop Vann, whose spiritual and civic leadership stretches far beyond the pulpit, spoke to the crowd with a reflective challenge: “Ask not of the world, but ask what you’ve poured into it. Ask if your walk added light, if your voice ever built instead of broke.” His words echoed the essence of the evening—service without ego and excellence without excuse.

George P. Barnes Jr., a political trailblazer and committed advocate for Detroit’s Black political structure, accepted his honor with a presence that reminded everyone in the room what legacy leadership looks like. Conrad Mallett, known both for his legal legacy and executive brilliance, was recognized for building pathways within systems that weren’t made for us—and doing so with an unshakable standard of Black integrity.

As each honoree was called to the stage, the room gave more than applause—it gave recognition. Because these names represent more than career milestones. They are evidence of what happens when Black men are allowed to lead with vision, resourced with power, and protected by their community.

Michael Aaron, Business Manager and CEO of Local 1191, continues to uplift labor voices in Detroit, ensuring working-class Black men and women have the dignity and wages they deserve. Derrick Headd, Senior VP of Public Policy and Operations at the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, has crafted policies that have shaped real opportunities for Black business development across the city.

Neil A. Barclay, President and CEO of The Wright Museum, remains the gatekeeper of Detroit’s cultural and historical memory, while Lazar Favors, CEO of the Detroit Black Film Festival and Black Spirits Legacy, is using media and culture to shift narratives and elevate Black storytelling globally.

Jody Connally, VP of Human Resources at Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, and Cedric Flowers, VP of Gas Operations at DTE, are changing how workforce and public utilities interact with Black communities—bridging systems with service. Darryl Gardner, Vice Provost at Wayne State University, stood as class president for the 2025 cohort and reminded guests that this moment wasn’t just about receiving recognition—it was about lifting up responsibility.

The evening also included a reading of the Men of Excellence Creed by David Campbell, grounding the event in principle and purpose. The creed wasn’t just a ceremonial reading—it was a reminder that titles don’t define men; values do.

This year’s list also acknowledged education as a pillar of progress. Jerlando F.L. Jackson, Dean of Education at Michigan State University, and Derrick Jones Lopez, Assistant Superintendent for DPSCD, are both reimagining Black student success and reshaping academic pipelines for our youth.

Healthcare honorees like Dr. Michael Pieh and Dr. Norris Polk continue to combat disparities while restoring trust in Black health outcomes. And business innovators such as Mamadou Diallo, CEO of Piston Group, and Phares A. Noel II, President of Diversified Engineering Concepts, continue to raise the bar for Black entrepreneurship and corporate excellence.

Detroit’s civic fabric was well represented. Hon. Byron Nolen, Mayor of Inkster, Raymond A. Scott, Deputy Director of Detroit’s Buildings and Safety department, and Rod Liggons of the Detroit Regional Chamber all showed what public service can look like when rooted in truth and strategy.

Others, like Ricky Fountain of the Community Education Commission and Khali Sweeny of the Detroit Boxing Gym, have built institutions—not for status, but for survival and transformation. They work daily to ensure that youth, families, and neighborhoods are not left behind in a city moving toward reinvention.

The sponsors who made the evening possible spoke volumes too—not only for their contributions but for their alignment. Local 1191, Vestco Management, Moulden Insurance Agency of Southfield, and Corewell Health each stood behind these men and the community they serve, reminding guests that partnership with purpose is how systemic change is built.

Each honoree, whether from government, education, media, medicine, business, or community care, stepped into their spotlight with humility and purpose. Michael Everett Hall of Ford Motor Company, David L. Stone of Trion Solutions, and Clarence Rose of Arrow Strategies each brought a professional story that underscored a broader truth: Detroit excellence doesn’t need to be reimagined—it needs to be resourced.

Even honorees like Andre Ebron of City Year, Andre Smith of WCCCD, and Tanathan Nelson of TLN Consulting showed how mentorship, media, and operations leadership can stretch across sectors to build bridges others haven’t dared to walk.

These men represent more than success. They are architects of Detroit’s next chapter.

By the end of the evening, it was evident—this wasn’t a networking gala. It was a community declaration. A mirror for Black men in Southeast Michigan to see themselves reflected, affirmed, and protected. It was a night that told the truth: our excellence is not hypothetical. It is daily. It is measurable. And it is undeniable.

The 2025 Men of Excellence honorees are not an exception to the rule. They are the rule being rewritten.

This celebration, curated by the Michigan Chronicle, does more than give awards. It documents the presence and power of Black men building in real time—and passes down the creed that their work will not be forgotten, because it is still unfolding.

Detroit showed up. And so did its legacy. And when we tell the stories right, we don’t just name names—we create blueprints.