Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield has tapped attorney Melvin Butch Hollowell to lead her transition effort, the group announced in a press release Wednesday morning.
Rise Higher Detroit says it’s mission is to deliver on Sheffield’s vision of an administration rooted in the needs of the community.
“This effort is the boldest and most community-centered transition Detroit has ever seen and is guided by the same values that have defined Sheffield’s leadership: collaboration, equity, and opportunity for all… Mayor-elect Sheffield is launching the most ambitious and inclusive transition engagement effort in the city’s history, designed to ensure that Detroiters are shaping the path forward.”
Rise Higher Detroit will be chaired by Hollowell, who is currently the managing partner of The Miller Law Firm Detroit, and is the former corporation counsel for the City of Detroit.
The group said in a release it won’t use public or campaign funds for the effort, instead relying on the city’s philanthropic communities.
“The Mayor-elect and Detroit’s philanthropic community have collaborated to create a fund, established at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and supported by a variety of foundations and other civic institutions, to fund transition efforts, including community engagement and talent acquisition.
The Rise Higher Detroit transition team says it is people-powered process to turn community priorities into action.
“This transition is about listening, learning, and building together. We’re giving every Detroiter a seat at the table as we shape the future of this city,” Sheffield said. “This is about partnership and ensuring Detroit’s progress is shared by everyone who calls this city home.”
As the council president prepares to take the city’s highest office, Rise Higher Detroit will lead her transition.
● Conduct a citywide survey reaching residents in every Council district—both online and through on-the-ground canvassing—to capture real information about Detroiters’ own priorities.
● Convene transition committees, made up of policy experts, civic leaders, and youth and community advocates, to interpret survey results, translate them into actionable recommendations, and collaborate with city departments to vet and refine policy ideas. The committees will also focus on finalizing a bold and actionable list of 100-day priorities, which Mayor-elect Sheffield will begin implementing the very day she takes office.
● Host community events across all neighborhoods where residents can see priorities clearly displayed and share their ideas, stories, and solutions for how City government can better serve them.
The Rise Higher Detroit transition effort will ultimately help Mayor-elect Sheffield assemble an administration of talented and passionate leaders ready to move Detroit forward.
Specific positions will be posted on the website periodically, but the transition is collecting resumes now to match Detroiters’ skills and experiences to upcoming roles in the administration.
No public or campaign dollars are being used to fund the activities of the Rise Higher Detroit transition committee.
The Mayor-elect and Detroit’s philanthropic community have collaborated to create a fund, the group said. The group is supported by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and a variety of foundations and other civic institutions, to fund transition efforts, including community engagement and talent acquisition.
The release points residents to RiseHigherDetroit.com to sign up to stay up to date on future opportunities, submit a resume to join the transition team.
