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

Monique Hutcherson Benoit
Director, Brand Building & Strategic Initiatives Ulta Beauty

Myles Baker
Senior Attorney - Labor & Employment, DTE Energy

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

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

LaTrell Bell
Major Gifts Officer, Michigan Humane

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

Dr. Victoria King
Founder & CEO, The Tax Gurus & Easy Tax Solutions

Belvin Liles III
Principal, ID Ventures

Jonaz Byrd
Impact Director, City Year Detroit

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

Mesh McFerrin
Operations Manager, LM Manufacturing

Anthony Chambers
North America Lead- AI Infrastructure Strategy and Partnerships, Google

Randall McPherson MD
Family Medicine Physician/Center Medical Director, Oak Street Health

Brandon Davis
President/Owner, Davis Insurance Group Agency

Tamarah Riley
Engineering Director, Consultant | Whirlpool, Stellantis, General Motors Founder, Investor | Riley Real Estate

Briaunna Durhal
Associate, Jones Day

Stevon Scott Jr.
Director, Corporate and Community Affairs & Youth Pastor

Dorothy “Dee” Smith
Director of Strategy & Partnerships, Teen HYPE

Damiana Sorrell
Chief Program Officer, Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan

Rhonda Evans
Marketing Director, Life Remodeled

Dr. Kimberly Stokes-Mason
Counseling Psychologist, PhD, The University of Michigan-Dearborn

Erica George
Deputy Director, Cass Community Social Services

Evangerline Trice
Athletic Director, Detroit Public Schools Community District

Joaquin Gouch
Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch

Christina Ware
Founder & Chief Ecosystem Architect, GapBridge Strategies

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

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

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

Tyrone (T.J.) Winfrey
Co-Founder, CIVIC

Chris Jackson
City Councilman, City of Pontiac

Lynda S. Jackson
Recording Secretary, UAW Local 7

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

Victor D. Robinson
Senior Director of External Partnerships and Community Engagement, Urban Alliance

Marcel Smith
Owner, Chick-fil-A Lincoln Park
