Meet the Honorees

Meet the remarkable leaders selected as the 2026 Michigan Chronicle 40 Under 40 Honorees. These rising stars represent the best of Southeast Michigan across business, government, healthcare, education, entrepreneurship, nonprofit leadership, technology, and the arts. Through their accomplishments, service, and dedication to creating meaningful change, each honoree exemplifies excellence, innovation, and purpose. Explore their stories and join us in celebrating the individuals who are shaping the future of our region and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Micah Aaron

Assistant Professor-Tenure Track, University of Michigan, School of Public Health

Myles Baker

Senior Attorney - Labor & Employment, DTE Energy

Joique Bell II

Founder, Parlay Detroit, U Charge Up and Joique Bell Charity

LaTrell Bell

Major Gifts Officer, Michigan Humane

Monique Hutcherson Benoit

Director, Brand Building & Strategic Initiatives Ulta Beauty

Jaren Brown

Assistant VP, Marketing & Communications, SMART

Keith Butler

District 5 Manager Mayor’s Office/ CEO The Detroit Boys Mentoring Club, City Of Detroit, The Detroit Boys Mentoring Club

Jonaz Byrd

Impact Director, City Year Detroit

Anthony Chambers

North America Lead- AI Infrastructure Strategy and Partnerships, Google

Brandon Davis

President/Owner, Davis Insurance Group Agency

Briaunna Durhal

Associate, Jones Day

Brianna Eccleston

Director of Public Health, Wayne County Department of Health, Human & Veterans Services

Rhonda Evans

Marketing Director, Life Remodeled

Erica George

Deputy Director, Cass Community Social Services

Joaquin Gouch

Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch

Bianca Hardy

Project Manager, Office of Communications, Detroit Public Schools Community District

Antwuan M. Hawkins

Attorney | Owner & Broker, Five Star Luxury Realty | Social Security Disability Attorney, Levine Benjamin Law Firm, Levine Benjamin Law Firm & Five Star Luxury Realty

Chris Jackson

City Councilman, City of Pontiac

Lynda S. Jackson

Recording Secretary, UAW Local 7

Dr. Victoria King

Founder & CEO, The Tax Gurus & Easy Tax Solutions

Belvin Liles III

Principal, ID Ventures

Ashley Nicole McCullough

Master of Urban Planning (MUP), Development Manager, Bedrock Detroit

Mesh McFerrin

Operations Manager, LM Manufacturing

Randall McPherson MD

Family Medicine Physician/Center Medical Director, Oak Street Health

Amber N. Mitchell

Curator of Black History, The Henry Ford

Tracey Lynn Pearson

Communications Officer, The Kresge Foundation

Jermaine Peguese

Special Projects Manager, NAACP Detroit Branch

Kayla D. Perry

Marketing & Communications Manager, Detroit Area Agency on Aging

Tamarah Riley

Principal, ID Ventures

Victor D. Robinson

Senior Director of External Partnerships and Community Engagement, Urban Alliance

Stevon Scott Jr.

Director, Corporate and Community Affairs & Youth Pastor

Dorothy “Dee” Smith

Director of Strategy & Partnerships, Teen HYPE

Marcel Smith

Owner, Chick-fil-A Lincoln Park

Damiana Sorrell

Chief Program Officer, Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan

Dr. Kimberly Stokes-Mason

Counseling Psychologist, PhD, The University of Michigan-Dearborn

Evangerline Trice

Athletic Director, Detroit Public Schools Community District

Christina Ware

Founder & Chief Ecosystem Architect, GapBridge Strategies

Kyra R Watts

Principal Management E, Henry Ford Health/Pour It Up Detroit/RSVP Event Studio/My Sister Circle

Tyrone Williams

Plant Manager, Rawsonville Components Plant Ford Motor Company

Tyrone (T.J.) Winfrey

Co-Founder, CIVIC