SHARON BANKS
CEO and Senior Marketing Consultant
Bankable Marketing Strategies, LLC
BANKABLE, WITH A TOUCH OF JAZZ
By: Donald James
For more than 25 years, Sharon Banks has exemplified the essence of a marketing communications professional. With an impressive portfolio of skills and expertise, Banks’ marketing fingerprints have been attached to numerous local and national marketing projects and campaigns in the public, private, education, and non-profit sectors.
As CEO and senior marketing consultant of Bankable Marketing Strategies, LLC, Banks oversees the planning, creation and facilitation of services in the areas of strategic planning, marketing communications, media relations, stakeholder engagement, advertising, and issues management. Originally founded in 1998 as Banks Marketing Group, the company evolved to become Bankable Marketing Strategies, LLC in 2009. “I changed the name to better reflect the measurable outcomes of the services that we were offering to our clients,” said Banks. “The name aligns with what we do to develop strategies our clients can count on to get desired results.”
MONIQUE BUTLER, M.D.
Vice President, Medical Affairs
Sinai-Grace Hospital
A LONG LIFE PASSION FULLFILLED
By: Damon Autry
When most 2nd graders were having difficulty figuring out which cartoon to watch, Monique Butler was busy dissecting star fish, guinea pigs and earth worms in science class. It was her deep-seated interest in biology that fueled this activity—an activity that would have presumably mortified perhaps every one of her classmates. Butler would even play doctor with her two sisters as a way of expressing her life’s desire, even at such a young age. “I knew I wanted to be a physician,” Butler says. “I had such a love for science.”
Butler grew up in Inkster in a home full of love, high expectations and encouragement. Her parents wanted Butler and her two sisters to have better lives than they did, and her mother and father discussed it with them regularly. “My dad really believed in that because that’s how he was raised. My mom’s consistent motto was you can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.”
AARON P. DWORKIN
Virtuoso Violinist
Founder and President, The Sphinx Organization
A CLASSICAL LIFE OF MUSIC…PERSONIFIED
By: Donald James
Aaron P. Dwokin has been featured in People and Newsweek Magazines, showcased on prominent national news television programs, served on President Obama’s National Arts Policy Committee and National Council on the Arts, and has received a bevy of other honors and awards. Yet, for Dworkin, one of the nation’s premier classical violinists and leading advocates of youth classical music education, he remains humbled and committed to what he loves most: empowering people of color through classical music.
As founder and president of the Sphinx Organization, Dworkin heads the leading national arts organization that focuses on youth development and diversity in classical music. Since its inception in 1996, the Detroit-based organization, under the guidance of Dworkin, has awarded more than $300,000 in prizes and scholarships to young people in the arts. The organization takes great pride in showcasing young classical musicians of color through an all-African-American and Latino Sphinx Symphony. Through its various educational and community programs, the Sphinx Organization impacts the classical music development of more than 35,000 youths annually, across the nation, and many more through various broadcasts.
TYREE GUYTON
Painter, Sculptor, and Urban Environmental Artist
FROM HEIDELBERG ST. TO THE WORLD
By: Donald James
Tyree Guyton is known worldwide as the mastermind and creator of the Heidelberg Project, an urban indoor/outdoor gallery of bold artwork, sculptures, and discarded items affixed to vacant houses, vacant lots, old cars, and just about everything else available along a two-block stretch of Heidelberg St., on Detroit’s east side. Through his 1986 artistic creation, Guyton has drawn national and international attention to the neglected neighborhood, in hopes that discussions will be held as to how his community, as well as similar communities city-wide, can be revitalized.
Guyton admits that there was a lot of opposition to his vision and subsequent artwork that transformed Heidelberg St. to look like no other street in the world. He had on-going battles with city government across several mayoral administrations, and even felt opposition from some area residents who opposed his audacious work. Nevertheless, Guyton persevered to artistically transform Heidelberg St. to new heights.
JOI M. HARRIS
Vice President, Gas Operations
DTE Gas
PLANNED FOR SUCCESS
By: Damon Autry
Trying to determine their life’s mission is most often a daunting task for young people. Candidly, it can be a chore for older adults as well. But on the rare occasion a young person focuses in on a specific career discipline, the results can be enormously successful and fulfilling. Joi Harris is such a person.
Harris displayed a healthy interest in engineering dating back to her elementary school days. Consequently, her parents got her involved in DAPCEP (Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program) starting in the 6th grade. Harris participated in the program from that point through high school, and she found it to be a richly rewarding experience.
BILL HARRIS
Playwright/Poet/Critic/Novelist
THE CANVASS OF THE BLACK MALE EXPERIENCE
By Carmen Carter
His muse …. the canvass of the black male experience, a story often untold and a people under shadowed. Bill Harris’ lightning rod for his love for writing sparked from his desire to continue a family tradition of storytelling. He was young and innocent without a story to convey and yet was intrigued and reaped the benefits of hearing a real-life story from the beginning to the end. He too wanted to tell stories, pursue a life filled with art formations.
The foundation for his 40 years of literary experience has roots in Cass Tech High School and Highland Park Community College. He earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Wayne State University. Harris is a renowned literary artist whose works as a playwright, poet, critic and novelist have been documented nationwide.
To meet Bill Harris and other Who’s Who honorees RSVP for the Who’s Who in Black Detroit celebration
STEPHEN D. HARRIS
President
Molina Healthcare of Michigan, Inc
PATHWAYS TO BETTER OUTCOMES
By: Damon Autry
Being the youngest sibling can carry with it a sense of acquiescence, as older brothers and sisters often attempt to play the dual role of sibling and parent—tossing orders and instructions to their youthful siblings. Fortunately for Stephen D. Harris, president of Molina Healthcare in Troy, that issue never fully took root during his childhood. Harris grew up on the northwest side of Detroit with an older sister and older brother. While he mirrored and keenly focused on the deeds of his older brother, it was his sister that really forged a blueprint for Harris’ future. “I had the opportunity to learn from many of their successes and mistakes,” he says of his siblings. “But my sister was the first person in the family to go to college, so she served as a big role model for me in that regard.”
DAVID L. JOHNSON
Vice President, Customer Service
DTE Energy
A PASSION FOR SERVICE
By: Damon Autry
Everyone is a customer at one time or another everyday, so customer service has a heightened sense of importance in today’s marketplace. Indeed, ensuring all customers are satisfied with the products or services they receive is a laborious task, but those businesses that view customer service as more than just a department are on the fast track to gaining consumers’ continued gratitude.
David Johnson, vice president of customer service at DTE Energy, understands this concept. Customer service is his passion. He realizes it’s a dynamic relationship whereby organizations have to maintain a keen focus on the value of their customers. “Our customers’ expectations are always in the forefront of our minds,” Johnson says. “Keeping up with those expectations set forth by our customers can be a challenge at times. But our senior leadership team has really taken a pro-customer position, and we’ve placed a lot of emphasis, time and resources to improve how we interact with them.”
JESSICA CARE MOORE
Poet/Publisher/Activist/Rock Star/Playwright/Actor
MAKING ART WORK
By: Amber L. Tucker
Mastery over the spoken word is a gift and a talent. Few have accomplished this feat with the grace, finesse and power that jessica Care moore has throughout her expansive career. Moore is a world-renowned poet/publisher/activist/rock star/playwright and actor. She is one of the youngest living Apollo Legends, winning on the coveted Showtime at the Apollo five times in a row and opening the door for her to be able to make a living solely on her art.
“I live and breath it [language] and it’ a blessing to be able to say that. It’s not always easy to make a living off of your art.”
CARLA SLEDGE
Chief Financial Officer
Wayne County, Michigan
FINANCING DREAMS WITH INTEGRITY
By: Amber L. Tucker
Carla Sledge is the chief financial officer of the Charter County of Wayne, Michigan. During her tenure, she has implemented numerous comprehensive effectiveness programs, which resulted in cost containment improvements. One of her most significant achievements was the roll out of the County’s financial application that resolved budget needs, replaced outdated applications requiring extensive reworking and created a fully integrated system capable of supporting a one-customer process.
Sledge has been in the finance world for twenty-five years. However, growing up she had a very different career goal in mind.
MAUREEN LOUISE STAPLETON
Chair, Public Lighting Authority
Founder and President, Community Enterprises LLC
SHOWING DETROITERS THE LIGHT AND THE WAY
By: Donald James
As a young girl growing up on the west side of Detroit, Maureen Louise Stapleton told friends that she would one day become the city’s first female mayor. She also told them that she wanted to be the next Barbara Jordan, the Texas Civil Rights advocate, who in 1973, became the first African-American woman from the South to be elected to the United States House of Representatives. While Stapleton, as an adult, has not served as mayor of the Motor City, yet, her impact on Detroit and its citizenry has been profound and would make Jordan proud.
Stapleton currently chairs the city’s new Public Lighting Authority (PLA), a five-member board of Detroit residents whose task is to develop and support plans to improve public lighting in the city. She was appointed by Mayor Dave Bing and does not receive a salary for her services.
CYNTHIA TAUEG, DHA, MPH, RN
Vice President, Ambulatory & Community Health Care Services
St. John Providence Health System
STRIVING FOR HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES
By: Lori Ella Miller
Dr. Cynthia Taueg came from a family of educators, so it was only natural that she thought she too would become a teacher, but life had other plans for her. It was her love for science and biology that led her to a career in health care. Taueg began her career as a registered nurse, graduating from Detroit’s Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree. She went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Public Health from The University of Michigan and a Doctorate in Health Administration from Central Michigan University.
Currently, Dr. Cynthia Taueg serves as the Vice President of Ambulatory and Community Health Care Services for St. John Providence Health System in Detroit, Michigan.
E’LOIS THOMAS
Director of Administration
SEEL, LLC
PREPARING FOR PROSPERITY
By: Amber L. Tucker
E’Lois Thomas guides her life by the motto she received years ago from her pastor, that “Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance!” She has been a planner since she was a child with a plan to succeed! Having grown up on the North End of Detroit, Thomas benefitted greatly from the extracurricular activities at Delores Bennett Park.
“I lived on the corner of Smith and Beaubien. I remember free lunches and being at the park; I’m no stranger of bullets flying by,” however she says, “There are always opportunities.”
CARLA WALKER MILLER
President and CEO
Walker-Miller Energy Services
A WOMAN OF POWER
By: Amber L. Tucker
Mrs. Carla Walker-Miller is an energy industry veteran, and a dedicated advocate for residential and commercial energy efficiency. In 2000 she formed Walker-Miller Energy Services (WMES), an energy efficiency and energy optimization program service company, as well as a distributor for energy related products in the utility industry. Serving as president and CEO, she has led the organization to tremendous growth in energy services.
However, before she became a leader in energy efficiency in Detroit, she was born the eighth child out of twelve to a poor but stable two-parent household in Nashville, Tennessee.
RANDY WALKER
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer
Henry Ford Health System
FROM DISHWASHER TO C-SUITE
By: Damon Autry
The successes we garner in life and the necessary mindset we develop along the way are often the result of experiences that can be traced back to our formative years. For Randy Walker, vice president and chief diversity officer at Henry Ford Health System (HFHS), that is indeed the case.
Walker grew up on Detroit’s west side as one of nine children. The family’s economic resources were in short supply, but that never stopped young Randy Walker from wanting more in life. Consequently, he started working as a 10-year-old newspaper carrier and later as a stock boy at a neighborhood grocery store. “Working at such a young age gave me independence and a way to have my own source of income to support some of my own personal spending desires,” Walker says. He then cracks a slight grin. “I made some good money, too.”
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