Here are bio's for a few of the candidates:
Kenneth L. Harris
Kenneth L. Harris is known for his maverick-style in his approach to altering societal and economic challenges within his community. An avid reader and socially-conscious individual, Kenneth has always been passionate about helping African-Americans and other minorities realize their dreams, most importantly through entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. He found it necessary to bridge the gap between minority-owned businesses throughout the region and founded the International Detroit Black Expo, Incorporated (IDBE) on May 24, 2004.
- Apostle, n. def. – a pioneer of any reform movement-
Born and raised in the City of Detroit, Kenneth L. Harris is the Founder, President and CEO of the International Detroit Black Expo, Inc., an economic empowerment agent for African-American businesses in the State of Michigan. Over the last few years, the nonprofit organization has grown exponentially to more than 7,500 African-American business members across the State of Michigan providing a stronghold in the community.
It is his affable demeanor, charisma, motivating spirit coupled with business savvy and his continuous remembrance of his ancestors’ struggle that has given Mr. Harris the wings to successfully improve the culture of entrepreneurship in Metro Detroit and throughout the country. His most significant organizational success to date is the fruition of the Detroit Black Expo, a three-day marketplace exposition for Metro Detroit families and business community held June 5-7, 2009 at the Cobo Convention Center in Detroit that attracted more than 100,000 attendees in a two year period and 1,000 national exhibits.
Kenneth has made tremendous landmarks and professional accomplishments at the young age of 35, such as the first African-American Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Southfield and the first African-American Director of Greek Affairs at Wayne State University. Additionally, he is the first African-American Counseling Psychologist for St. John Community Health and is currently the first African-American Director of Minority Business Development and Strategic Initiatives for the Michigan Minority Business Development Council, Inc.
Kenneth also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Michigan Center for Fair Housing, the United Negro College Fund, the First Independence Bank Community Development Corporation and the NAACP – Detroit Branch Economic Empowerment Committee Chairperson. He is an active life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Prince Hall Masonry, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church and the Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce, just to name a few.
Recently, Kenneth L. Harris received the U.S. Small Business (SBA) 2007 Minority Business Advocate of the Year award, inducted into Crain’s Detroit Business Class of 2007 40 under 40 and Who’s Who in Black Detroit Most Influential. Kenneth was most recently honored by the Michigan Women’s Marketplace & CEED as the 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year. Kenneth also received the 2008 Excellence Award for Economic Empowerment by 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, Inc. Kenneth, has been recently awarded as the 2009 WWJ 950 Emerging Leader of the Year for Black History Month.
Kenneth graduated with a BA in Psychology and MA in Counseling Psychology both from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia and is currently Educational Specialist Degree Candidate at Wayne State University and has received a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Detroit’s Lewis College of Business in 2008.
Born and raised in the City of Detroit, Kenneth L. Harris is the Founder, President and CEO of the International Detroit Black Expo, Inc., an economic empowerment agent for African-American businesses in the State of Michigan. Over the last few years, the nonprofit organization has grown exponentially to more than 7,500 African-American business members across the State of Michigan providing a stronghold in the community.
It is his affable demeanor, charisma, motivating spirit coupled with business savvy and his continuous remembrance of his ancestors’ struggle that has given Mr. Harris the wings to successfully improve the culture of entrepreneurship in Metro Detroit and throughout the country. His most significant organizational success to date is the fruition of the Detroit Black Expo, a three-day marketplace exposition for Metro Detroit families and business community held June 5-7, 2009 at the Cobo Convention Center in Detroit that attracted more than 100,000 attendees in a two year period and 1,000 national exhibits.
Kenneth has made tremendous landmarks and professional accomplishments at the young age of 35, such as the first African-American Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Southfield and the first African-American Director of Greek Affairs at Wayne State University. Additionally, he is the first African-American Counseling Psychologist for St. John Community Health and is currently the first African-American Director of Minority Business Development and Strategic Initiatives for the Michigan Minority Business Development Council, Inc.
Kenneth also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Michigan Center for Fair Housing, the United Negro College Fund, the First Independence Bank Community Development Corporation and the NAACP – Detroit Branch Economic Empowerment Committee Chairperson. He is an active life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Prince Hall Masonry, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church and the Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce, just to name a few.
Recently, Kenneth L. Harris received the U.S. Small Business (SBA) 2007 Minority Business Advocate of the Year award, inducted into Crain’s Detroit Business Class of 2007 40 under 40 and Who’s Who in Black Detroit Most Influential. Kenneth was most recently honored by the Michigan Women’s Marketplace & CEED as the 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year. Kenneth also received the 2008 Excellence Award for Economic Empowerment by 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, Inc. Kenneth, has been recently awarded as the 2009 WWJ 950 Emerging Leader of the Year for Black History Month.
Kenneth graduated with a BA in Psychology and MA in Counseling Psychology both from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia and is currently Educational Specialist Degree Candidate at Wayne State University and has received a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Detroit’s Lewis College of Business in 2008.
Tonya Myers-Phillips
Tonya Phillips, Esq. is an attorney with a passion for using her legal talent to improve her community. She is a small business owner, founding Vision Legal Services P.L.L.C. in 2004 to represent small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals. Ms. Phillips provides legal services to a number of institutions including ShoreBank Enterprises, the Detroit Association of
Black Organizations, and the Detroit Entrepreneurship Institute. Ms. Phillips regularly sits on small business and community panels to share her expertise with the community.
Ms. Phillips has experience working with municipal law and the Charter in particular.
She worked with the Detroit City Council and its Special Counsel William Goodman to analyze and interpret the Council's removal and forfeiture powers under the Detroit City Charter. Ms. Phillips also worked with a the Guild Law Center and the Detroit City Council to strengthen the investigatory and enforcement provisions of the Detroit Living Wage Ordinance which mandates workers be paid a "living wage" for the services on high-value city contracts.
Tonya Phillips was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Ms. Phillips attended Detroit Public Schools and graduated with honors from Renaissance High School. Ms. Phillips received her bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Michigan. She also went on to attend and receive her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Ms. Phillips was honored with the Distinguished Young Lawyer Award in 2006 from the Wolverine Bar Association.
Ms. Phillips currently serves as the Secretary of the Wolverine Bar Association, and sits on the Board of Directors for Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice, the Village Gardeners, and People Actively Taking Chance to Help Educate Society (P.A.T.C.H.E.S. Inc.) and is a member of the Detroit Branch NAACP.
Rose Mary C. Robinson
· Attorney at law for over 35 years
· Resident of Detroit for over 45 years
· Mother of six children
· Democratic Wayne County Commissioner from 1970 to 1982
· Delegate to the 1968 Democratic National Convention
· Graduate of Wayne State University Law School
· Volunteer, Coalition for Equal Opportunity, 2003 - 2006
· Elected Democratic Precinct Delegate in 2006 and 2008
· Former member of Local 705 Hotel Restaurant Workers Union
Endorsed by Congressman John Conyers, the Metro Detroit AFL-CIO, the Teamsters, AFSCME, UFCW 876, UNITE HERE, MUSLIM PAC, the Michigan Spanish Speaking Democrats and a growing number of organizations.
Charles Pugh? Where is he?
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