Detroit’s story has always been written by its people—those who build, heal, teach, innovate, and lead with conviction. The Michigan Chronicle’s 13th annual 40 Under 40 Awards carries that same energy, reminding the city and all of Southeast Michigan that leadership does not only rest in boardrooms or at podiums, but in classrooms, hospitals, courtrooms, churches, union halls, and every corner where vision meets action. Now in its 13th year, the program continues to honor African American professionals whose work inspires, disrupts, and uplifts. They are selected not simply for professional success, but because they move with integrity, stand as examples, and give back to the communities that raised them.
The 2025 class reflects the breadth of Detroit’s brilliance, a cross-section of leaders shaping the future while rooted in responsibility to the present. Each honoree stands as proof that progress does not come from one sector alone—it takes educators alongside entrepreneurs, physicians alongside public servants, creatives alongside corporate leaders. Together, they create the infrastructure that allows Black Detroit and Black Southeast Michigan to thrive, even against persistent systemic challenges.
Consider Addofio Addo, Director of Business Development at Bedrock, whose work has helped bring international cultural landmarks to Detroit: AfroFuture, Afro Nation, and even the NFL Draft. His portfolio reveals not only business savvy but an understanding of Detroit’s place on the global stage. Then there is Dez’arae Adams, Director of Early Childhood at Wayne RESA, who ensures the region’s youngest learners have the strong foundation they deserve. Or Judge Jeremy Bowie of the 50th District Court, who sits in a position that carries immense weight for justice and accountability, especially for Black communities who too often see imbalance in the system.
Healthcare excellence is represented by Dr. Lakisha Holifield, an anesthesiologist at Detroit Medical Center and Clinical Assistant Professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine, who also serves as Medical Director of Obstetrics Anesthesia at Hutzel Hospital. Her expertise is not only technical but life-saving, reminding us how Black physicians remain essential to the fight for equitable healthcare. Alongside her is Dr. Olabola Awosika, dermatologist and clinical investigator, whose work represents both medical leadership and representation in a field where Black skin is too often overlooked in research and treatment.
Education is well represented by leaders like Patrina Caldwell, Assistant Principal at The School @ Marygrove, and Veronica Kisor, a principal with National Heritage Academies. Their work ensures Black children in Detroit have role models and advocates shaping their classrooms. Monique Leaverson of Teach for America Detroit and Terrence West, also of Teach for America, drive fellowships and external affairs that push national talent pipelines toward equity in Detroit schools.
Entrepreneurship and ownership remain central. Marissa Thrower-Fisher, a second-generation McDonald’s franchisee, builds upon a legacy of Black business that feeds and employs Detroiters daily. Brittany Mobley, publicist and brand designer, lifts Detroit’s cultural and creative voices through Culturit Public Relations. Rod Sanders, Managing Partner at Bridgefund Capital, shapes pathways for financial empowerment and growth. These leaders prove that Detroit’s entrepreneurial spirit is not fading; it is expanding across industries and generations.
Labor and workforce organizing are equally critical in this class. Mikyia S., Secretary-Treasurer of LIUNA Local 1191, represents Black leadership in labor at a time when worker protections and benefits face national threats. Jordan Easley, National Organizing Director with the International Chemical Workers Union Council of the UFCW, brings strategy to collective bargaining and advocacy. Both stand in traditions of labor movements that have long included, but not always uplifted, Black leadership.
Media and storytelling are honored through figures like Kory Woods, sports reporter at MLive Media Group, and Zaria Phillips, news producer at CBS News Detroit. In a media climate where local coverage is shrinking, their roles carry weight. They inform, hold institutions accountable, and bring Detroit’s stories to audiences who might otherwise overlook them. Their work is essential for representation in narratives that shape public opinion and cultural memory.
Philanthropy and community service pulse through honorees like Rae Glenn of Alternatives for Girls, leading youth prevention work, and Kelley Stokes-Samuel of the Detroit Institute of Arts, cultivating resources through major gifts to keep culture accessible. Their presence underscores how arts, youth, and community organizations are not luxuries but necessities for Detroit’s growth and healing.
Corporate leaders round out the class, bringing strategy and oversight to industries that influence global markets. Vance Fulton of Lear Corporation steers purchasing finance, while Leslie Savage at Rocket Mortgage manages client experience operations. Arius Harper of Ally Financial, Quendale Simmons of Butzel, and Brandon Gleason at Ballmer demonstrate how Black professionals remain critical in spaces where power is wielded and resources are distributed. Their presence ensures that Detroit’s corporate footprint reflects the communities that built its foundation.
The diversity of expertise in this 40 Under 40 class reveals a truth about Detroit: progress does not come from a single institution or leader but from many working in tandem. Whether shaping law, advancing medicine, leading unions, designing classrooms, producing the news, or building businesses, these honorees represent the interconnectedness of Black excellence. They remind us that leadership is not one-dimensional; it is collective, rooted in community, and accountable to history.
The Michigan Chronicle’s recognition of these 40 leaders is more than a ceremony. It is an acknowledgment that the fight for equity, empowerment, and inclusion remains ongoing. These honorees carry the responsibility of standing in a lineage of Detroit leaders who have faced obstacles and still built opportunities. Their stories connect to traditions of resilience that define the city itself.
The 13th year of the Michigan Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 Awards is not just about celebrating professional milestones. It is about affirming a new generation of Black leadership that is bold, visionary, and grounded. This year’s honorees remind Detroit and Southeast Michigan that the future is not uncertain—it is being shaped right now by young leaders who know the stakes, embrace the responsibility, and continue to move the region forward.
Ebony JJ Curry can be reached via ecurry@michronicle.com
