40 Under 40

2019 Michigan Chronicle 40 under 40 Honorees

  • Site Editor

The Michigan Chronicle 40 Under 40 Awards, in its 4th year, recognizes local African-American professionals who inspire others through their vision, leadership, exceptional achievements, and participation in community service. They are individuals who exemplify extraordinary stature, poise and integrity who continue to break the mold and affect change in their professions and community.

These young stars influence those around them to go beyond the norm and strive for greatness. They are champions of our economic empowerment and diversity, the backbone of our business, religious and educational organizations, and driving forces in politics and service. In 2019, 40 new honorees will join the exclusive society of elite professionals who have previously received this distinction.

The 40 Under 40 Awards and induction ceremony is an elegant evening that commemorates the successes of our honorees attracting nearly 500 accomplished tastemakers, influencers, executives, heroes, and decision-makers from Southeast Michigan.

Join us in honoring the 2019 Michigan Chronicle 40 Under 40 honorees
DATE: Thursday, October 10, 2019 6 PM to 9 PM
LOCATION: International Banquet & Conference Center Detroit, MI

Sponsored By

2019 40 Under 40 Honorees

  • Amber Lewis
    Amber Lewis
    Director of Digital & Social Media: City of Detroit, Mayors Office
  • Josh Landon 
    Josh Landon 
    News Anchor: WJBK/FOX 2 News 
  • Kierra Sheard
    Kierra Sheard
    Singer & CEO: Drew’s Girl Productions & Eleven60 
  • Dr. Maegan E. Daughtery
    Dr. Maegan E. Daughtery
    Board Certified Pediatric Dentist: Dr. Amy C. Parker DDS, MS & Associates
  • Bianca Wilson
    Bianca Wilson
    CEO: Umbrellex Behavioral Health Services, LLC
  • Dwanette Williams
    Dwanette Williams
    Assistant Vice President/Financial Center Manager: Bank of America
  • Daniel Wallace
    Daniel Wallace
    Global Diversity Initiatives Lead: General Motors
  • Phaedra Wainaina
    Phaedra Wainaina
    Executive Director: Vehicles for Change Detroit & MACC Development
  • Angelique Turner
    Angelique Turner
    Industrial Engineering Manager/WO Pillar Lead: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
  • Lynita Taylor
    Lynita Taylor
    Diversity & Inclusion Program Manager: Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business
  • Maria Stroud
    Maria Stroud
    Owner & President: MES & Co.
  • Courtney Smith
    Courtney Smith
    Founder & CEO: Detroit Phoenix Center
  • Charli Rose, FD
    Charli Rose, FD
    Mortician/Funeral Director: Andrews Funeral Home
  • Asia Rawls
    Asia Rawls
    Director of Software Education and Training: Trumble Inc.
  • Kenneth Porter
    Kenneth Porter
    President: Porter Media Group
  • Dr. Danielle Penson
    Dr. Danielle Penson
    Clinician/Entrepreneur: Kaydense Galleria
  • Kiera Pack
    Kiera Pack
    Owner: Pareik Gallery & Pareik Studio
  • Jonathan Merritt
    Jonathan Merritt
    Co-Founder: Narrow Way Café and Shop
  • David Merritt
    David Merritt
    Co-Founder: Narrow Way Café and Shop
  • Drew Matthews Jr.
    Drew Matthews Jr.
    Owner & Executive Chef: Le Culture Café
  • LaShauna Lowry
    LaShauna Lowry
    Executive Director Consumer Systems Team: Ally Financial
  • Whitney Lewis
    Whitney Lewis
    Director of Communications, Wayne County Department of Public Services
  • Erika Lawrence
    Erika Lawrence
    Assistant Product Manager, Digital Innovation: General Motors
  • Justin Kimpson
    Justin Kimpson
    National Program Manager Ford Men of Courage/Senior Director Ford Resource and Engagement Center Eastside: Gleaners Community Food Bank
  • Mikiah Keener
    Mikiah Keener
    Minister: Triumph Church
  • Yelitsa Jean-Charles
    Yelitsa Jean-Charles
    CEO & Founder: Healthy Roots Dolls
  • Darryl Humes Jr.
    Darryl Humes Jr.
    Co-Founder: Mature
  • Jessica Hayes-Stallings
    Jessica Hayes-Stallings
    Founder: Skinphorea Facial Bar & Acne Clinic
  • Maxcel Hardy
    Maxcel Hardy
    Owner & Chef: River Bistro & Coop Detroit
  • Shawn Green
    Shawn Green
    CEO & Principle Broker: Smart Realty & Investments Inc.
  • Andre Gilbert II
    Andre Gilbert II
    Deputy City Clerk: City of Detroit
  • Jewelette Estes
    Jewelette Estes
    Senior Project Manager: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
  • Donovan Colquitt
    Donovan Colquitt
    Founder: The Scholar’s Key
  • Hodari P.T. Brown
    Hodari P.T. Brown
    Public Affairs Specialist: U.S. Small Business Administration
  • Emeka Amazu
    Emeka Amazu
    Senior Buyer, Global Purchasing & Supply Chain: General Motors
  • Portia Powell
    Portia Powell
    VP-Manager of Municipal Banking Operations: Chemical Bank
  • Danielle Hughes
    Danielle Hughes
    Dream Director: The Future Project
  • Meagan Ward
    Meagan Ward
    Co-Founder & CEO: Femology
  • Tameishia Pigford
    Tameishia Pigford
    CEO: Dream Celebrations, Inc.
  • Tiffani C. Jackson
    Tiffani C. Jackson
    Founder & Executive Director: Eden Community Organization 

 

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Amber Lewis
Director of Digital & Social Media: City of Detroit, Mayors Office

As a Detroiter who stayed to be an agent in changing the narrative, Amber M. Lewis is the Director of Digital & Social Media for the city of Detroit that embodies being “Social N The City”. She directs and produces content, develops and implements strategies, campaigns and digital media buying plans.

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Josh Landon 
News Anchor: WJBK/FOX 2 News 

Josh Landon is very happy to be back home in the city of Detroit. Born in the City of Detroit, raised on the City’s east side, Landon graduated from Denby High School, and earned an undergraduate degree in broadcast journalism from Eastern Michigan University. Go TARS!!! Go EAGLES!!!

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Kierra Sheard
Singer & CEO: Drew’s Girl Productions & Eleven60 

Kierra Sheard, is a native of Detroit, Michigan, Grammy nominated recording artist that has a voice that gives every listener goosebumps. She has shared her expertise as a judge on the 8th and 9th seasons of BET’s singing competition ​Sunday Best. ​In addition, Kierra portrayed her mother, Karen Clark-Sheard, in the upcoming Lifetime film production, ​“You Brought the Sunshine​“, a story about the world-renowned gospel group – The Clark Sisters​. Kierra continues to transcend traditional rules and draw people of all ages closer to Christ through her heart, music and transparency. She also continues to mentor through her ​SistHER ​mentorship launched in 2018.

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Dr. Maegan E. Daughtery
Board Certified Pediatric Dentist: Dr. Amy C. Parker DDS, MS & Associates

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Bianca Wilson
CEO: Umbrellex Behavioral Health Services, LLC

Bianca Wilson is a licensed master’s level clinical social worker currently working with community organizations such as Oak Park School District and The Guidance Center. Through her work as a school social worker, she developed an unrelenting passion for helping students succeed. By performing goal oriented individual behavior plans, conducting behavior workshops and class presentations, coordinating events and assisting with life skills, her work has improved the lives of students growing up in adversity. As a Crisis Screener with The Guidance Center, she services Wayne county hospital adolescent Medicaid recipient patients whom are encountering suicidal or homicidal ideation and/or acute/chronic psychosis.

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Dwanette Williams
Assistant Vice President/Financial Center Manager: Bank of America

Dwanette Harbin Williams is an Assistant Vice President at Bank of America (BAC). She has worked in the financial industry, nearly 20 years, developing high achieving sales and client focused teams, coaching and training successful employees, and educating diverse communities in financial centers across Michigan.

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Daniel Wallace
Global Diversity Initiatives Lead: General Motors

Daniel Wallace is a multifaceted professional with nearly 15 years of progressive experience in communications and human resources with several Fortune 50 companies. At General Motors, he is the Global Diversity Initiatives Lead, where he manages GM’s African American portfolio. He is responsible for driving the engagement strategy for diversity programming, defining philanthropic allocations within the African American community, building brand awareness through local and national programs, and serving as the company’s diversity subject matter expert.

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Phaedra Wainaina
Executive Director: Vehicles for Change Detroit & MACC Development

Phaedra Wainaina, JD is a serial innovator and a proud Detroit native, who has exhibited a longstanding commitment to the city and its residents. Wainaina’s strong desire to serve is rooted in her belief that social welfare begins with service. Wainaina’s professional career has focused on aligning the complexities of re-entry reform and community investment to create systems of support for Detroit’s most under-served communities. As a result of her commitment to progressive leadership and service in the city where she was selected as a New Leaders Council Detroit Fellow and Skillman BMe Vanguard Fellow.

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Angelique Turner
Industrial Engineering Manager/WO Pillar Lead: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Angelique Turner attended Bates Academy and Cass Tech. She then went on to receive a Bachelor of  Science in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Michigan. Turner is currently an Industrial Engineering (IE) Manager and Workplace Organization Pillar Lead at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. She has worked at FCA for the past seven years holding the positions of Stamping IE, Assembly IE Supervisor, and Stamping IE Supervisor.

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Lynita Taylor
Diversity & Inclusion Program Manager: Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business

Lynita Taylor is the diversity and Inclusion Program Manager for the Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business. She developed the PwC MPREP Scholars learning community, which aims to recruit and retain multicultural undergraduate students and prepare them for careers in various business concentrations, with a high focus on the accounting and financial services industries. Taylor gained experience in strategic program development and community engagement through her previous role as a staffing consultant at Plante Moran. There, she oversaw and expanded the company’s diversity and inclusion programs, which are dedicated to the development of diverse business career candidates and minority professionals.

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Maria Stroud
Owner & President: MES & Co.

Maria Lizi Stroud is a patented inventor/product developer from Detroit, Michigan. Maria has quite the inventive spirit with few granted patents, Utility & Design Patent in the USA and China, with more patents pending. She has a few prototypes and two products currently being developed, “DoggyLoveDoll & Mirari Mirror” with another 25 concept ideas that keep her very busy.

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Courtney Smith
Founder & CEO: Detroit Phoenix Center

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Charli Rose, FD
Mortician/Funeral Director: Andrews Funeral Home

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Asia Rawls
Director of Software Education and Training: Trumble Inc.

Asia is the Director of Software Education and Training; in this position she manages the delivery and utilization of real-time technology and mobile applications. Asia is able to skillfully train and educate engineers and production floor members about quality control and Plant Floor Intelligence. Reveal, which is an intelligent software, allowed Asia to consult and develop creative solutions pertaining to data analytics, statistics, and proactive control. These technical problem-solving tactics led her to support original equipment manufacturers’ (OEM)s such as Fiat Chrysler, Magna, and many more.

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Kenneth Porter
President: Porter Media Group

Ken Porter serves as President of Porter Media Group (PMG) in Detroit. PMG is a leading communications company that specializes in corporate print, conference marketing, and brand development. Last year PMG was nominated for the prestigious Supplier of the Year award by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council and also featured in Forbes-Japan for their partnership with JPMorgan and the Entrepreneurs of Color Fund. One active assignment his company is engaged with is the new Gordie Howe International Bridge project.

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Dr. Danielle Penson
Clinician/Entrepreneur: Kaydense Galleria

Dr. Danielle Penson is a native of Detroit, Michigan, and a progressive byproduct of the Detroit public school system.  Indeed, she is a testament to the infamous inquiry of the greatness that can, and has emerged from an Urban Utopia. Against all odds she has obtained an earned doctoral degree in counseling which she has used to establish several active community programs.

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Kiera Pack
Owner: Pareik Gallery & Pareik Studio

Kiera Pack owner of Pareik Gallery, Southfield’s premier event space, which has been home to over 200 events since 2018. She is very involved in decor and vendor selection, running baby showers to weddings from start to finish. She believes that a successful event requires unique and personalized attention to every detail. Event designing was born from her deep passion for creating stylish events that make a statement through creativity and concrete execution.

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Jonathan Merritt
Co-Founder: Narrow Way Café and Shop

Believing faith to be the key to every aspect of his life, Jonathan A. Merritt knew from a young age that he would make his own personal mark on the world around him. Coming from a long legacy of service and faith as the son of megachurch Pastor, Bishop Andrew Merritt, Jonathan serves alongside his parents and brother David Merritt as Associate Pastor at Straight Gate International Church in Detroit, Michigan.

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David Merritt
Co-Founder: Narrow Way Café and Shop

David Merritt was born on February 26th, 1986 in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in West Bloomfield, MI and attended West Bloomfield High School, where he graduated with academic honors and was an All-State basketball player. Merritt then accepted an academic scholarship to the University of Michigan, and later was selected as a walk-on to the Men’s Basketball team in 2006.

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Drew Matthews Jr.
Owner & Executive Chef: Le Culture Café

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LaShauna Lowry
Executive Director Consumer Systems Team: Ally Financial

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Whitney Lewis
Director of Communications, Wayne County Department of Public Services

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Erika Lawrence
Assistant Product Manager, Digital Innovation: General Motors

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Justin Kimpson
National Program Manager Ford Men of Courage/Senior Director Ford Resource and Engagement Center Eastside: Gleaners Community Food Bank

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Mikiah Keener
Minister: Triumph Church

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Yelitsa Jean-Charles
CEO & Founder: Healthy Roots Dolls

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Darryl Humes Jr.
Co-Founder: Mature

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Jessica Hayes-Stallings
Founder: Skinphorea Facial Bar & Acne Clinic

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Maxcel Hardy
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Shawn Green
CEO & Principle Broker: Smart Realty & Investments Inc.

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Andre Gilbert II
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Jewelette Estes
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Donovan Colquitt
Founder: The Scholar’s Key

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Hodari P.T. Brown
Public Affairs Specialist: U.S. Small Business Administration

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Emeka Amazu
Senior Buyer, Global Purchasing & Supply Chain: General Motors

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Portia Powell
VP-Manager of Municipal Banking Operations: Chemical Bank

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Danielle Hughes
Dream Director: The Future Project

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Meagan Ward
Co-Founder & CEO: Femology

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Tameishia Pigford
CEO: Dream Celebrations, Inc.

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Tiffani C. Jackson
Founder & Executive Director: Eden Community Organization 

Tiffani C. Jackson launched her career at the University of Michigan earning a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations/Corporate Communications and a Master of Arts in Public Administration.  She aptly juggled the rigors of studies and full-time employment focusing on community relations, content creation, project management, operations analysis and much more.  She went on to successful assignments at Wayne County Third Circuit Court, Wayne County Management and Budget onto Wayne County Department of Public Services where she is a Contract Manager.

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