My days are filled with conversations with entrepreneurs about accessing capital or connecting small businesses to the City’s concierge service to help them navigate permits and licensing. And when I’m not serving members as president and CEO of the Michigan Black Business Alliance, you can usually find me at Rosa, the northwest Detroit coffeeshop I own — coffee (or wine) in hand — listening, learning and exchanging ideas about our city.
No matter where I go or who I talk to, one topic always comes up: the future of the city we love. The question is the same: “Who is best suited to lead Detroit for the next four or more years?”
For me, the answer is clear. Borrowing the words of MBBA member and Detroit entrepreneur Domonique Davenport’s brand (one of my favorites):: Detroit’s future is female.
Women built and continue to build Detroit. We lead nonprofits and community organizations that serve Detroiters of every background, standing on the shoulders of giants like Maryann Mahaffey, Maggie DeSantis, Ruth Ellis and Sharon Madison.
Women are driving educational advocacy: leaders like Angelique Power and Dawn Wilson. We’re building holistic community programs, like Donna Givens Davidson on the East Side and Kenyetta Peoples on the West Side. Women like Courtney Smith are leading the fight against youth homelessness. Carla Walker-Miller is championing equity in the energy space. Portia Roberson is holding the line on workforce development, even amid federal uncertainty.And as we advocate for small businesses, we know our work can’t succeed without a genuine partner at City Hall — one who is experienced, qualified, and committed to the issues that matter most to Detroiters.
Mary Sheffield is that woman.
I spent seven years working in city government — from creating programs like the Side Lot Program at the Detroit Land Bank Authority to enforcing equity and compliance on major development projects as the City’s Director of Civil Rights. I’ve seen firsthand what it takes to make Detroit thrive.
I’ve watched Sheffield, as council president for the last four years, navigate tough decisions with grace and compassion. I’ve seen her in the neighborhoods, talking to residents. I’ve seen her rise above baseless critiques — many rooted in gender bias — with integrity and focus.
She’s not the best choice for mayor because she’s a woman. She’s the best choice because she’s exceptionally qualified, deeply experienced, and truly ready. The fact that she’s a woman is an added bonus for our city.Detroit is entering a new era, and I’m proud to say: Detroit’s future is not just female. Detroit’s future is Mary Sheffield.
Charity Dean
The writer is president and CEO of the Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance and the owner of Rosa, a coffee shop in northwest Detroit
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit’s future is female — why I’m supporting Mary Sheffield for mayor | Letters
Reporting by Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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