Meet the Honorees
From corporate boardrooms to classrooms, courtrooms to community spaces, these honorees are not just breaking glass ceilings — they are building doors for others to walk through. The 2026 class continues the Michigan Chronicle’s proud tradition of uplifting Black excellence and moving our city forward. Celebrate her brilliance. Elevate her impact. Honor her legacy.
Senator Sarah Anthony
State Senator
21st Senate District
21st Senate District
Dr. Deidra Field, DNP, CNM
Director of Women’s Health, DMC-Sinai Grace Hospital
Lila Asante-Appiah
Chief Administrative Officer
Downtown Detroit Partnership
Downtown Detroit Partnership
Wanda P. Bowman
Chief Financial Officer
Detroit Area Agency on Aging
Detroit Area Agency on Aging
Chevelle Brown
Chief Financial Officer
Detroit Area Agency on Aging
Detroit Area Agency on Aging
Karen Burton
Chief Executive Officer
Space Lab
Space Lab
Joella Bush
Executive Director
Gianna House
Gianna House
Dr. Nicole Claudin, DNP, PMHNP-BC, QIDP
Director of Behavioral Health
DMC-Sinai Grace
DMC-Sinai Grace
Regina Clemons
Vice President of Club Operations
Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan
Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan
Katora Cole
Chief Development Officer
The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW)
The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW)
Elanjua Nicole Current
International Servicing Representative
International Union - UAW
International Union - UAW
LaTresha Davenport
Mid-Michigan Oncology Senior Executive Territory Manager
Eli Lilly - Global Pharmaceutical Company
Eli Lilly - Global Pharmaceutical Company
LaShanda Davis
Director of Finance
Detroit Water & Sewerage Department
Detroit Water & Sewerage Department
Keyantee Davis
Chief Human Resource Officer
Trinity Health Michigan
Trinity Health Michigan
LaShawn English
Director
UAW Region 1
UAW Region 1
Monique Field-Foster
Executive Partner, Lansing Office
Warner Norcross & Judd
Warner Norcross & Judd
Tamara R. Flake
Vice President of Government Banking
Mercantile Bank
Mercantile Bank
Melanie Harris
President of Business Operations
Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
Donetta Houser-Sly
Human Resource Director, People, Experience and Technology
Amazon
Amazon
Nikki Howard-Combs
Owner & CEO 1 2 NV Events
Nikole Howard-Whitsett
Treasurer
City of Detroit Water & Sewerage Department
City of Detroit Water & Sewerage Department
Kimberly Hoyle
Senior Director, Corporate Growth & Strategic Partnerships, Downtown Boxing Gym
Sydney James
Fine Arts Painter and Muralist
Michelle L. Johnson
President & CEO ,br>Legal Aid and Defender Association
Talona Johnson
Cadillac International Product Manager
General Motors Company
General Motors Company
Hon. Latisha Johnson
Council Member, District 4
Detroit City Council
Detroit City Council
Kamilia K. Landrum
Executive Director
Detroit NAACP
Detroit NAACP
Sheila Marshall
Chief Operating Officer
Forgotten Harvest
Forgotten Harvest
Tiff Massey
Detroit Artist | Sculptor | Metalsmith
LaTrice McClendon
Detroit Director
Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation
Tiffany McDougle
Economic Stability/Children’s and Adult Services Regional Director
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Jazz Parks
Superintendent of Schools
Ann Arbor Public Schools
Ann Arbor Public Schools
Stephanie Peoples
Chief Operating Officer
One Detroit Credit Union
One Detroit Credit Union
Cheryl Porter
Chief Operating Officer - Water and Field Services
Great Lakes Water Authority
Great Lakes Water Authority
Doris Portis
Senior Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer
First Independence Bank
First Independence Bank
Sandra Ramocon
Director
Alternatives for Girls
Alternatives for Girls
Ambra Redrick
Chief Executive Officer
Teen HYPE
Teen HYPE
Embekka Roberson
Superintendent
Birmingham Public Schools
Birmingham Public Schools
Dr. Frederika Robinson, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Regional Director/Nurse Practitioner
Molina Healthcare
Molina Healthcare
Senator Sylvia Santana
State of Michigan | 2nd District
Capri Scott
Owner/Director
Foundation First Childcare Development Center
Foundation First Childcare Development Center
Crystal Y. Sewell, SPHR, SCP
Chief Human Resources Officer
The Kresge Foundation
The Kresge Foundation
Abbey Shaw
Director
SEEL, LLC
SEEL, LLC
Julie Spencer Washington
Chief Marketing Officer
Trinity Health
Trinity Health
Dr. Deanna L. Stewart
Founder and Executive Director
Equity Alliance of Michigan
Equity Alliance of Michigan
Dr. Celia S. Thomas
Chief Operating Officer
Alternatives for Girls
Alternatives for Girls
Hon. Mary Waters
Council Member
Detroit City Council
Detroit City Council
Dr. Donyetta White
Founder and CEO
The Learning Group | Learning Links Academy
The Learning Group | Learning Links Academy
Sangeya Wiggins
Control Tower/Field Quality Specialist
Stellantis
Stellantis
Hon. Chastity Youngblood
Judge, 36th District Court
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