In honor of Black History Month, WJLB wants to recognize Black leaders in our city who are creating positive change for Detroit!
Take a look at all of our WJLB Changemakers!
Real Kid Jay built his skills freestyle rapping at Ypsilanti Community High School, where he graduated in 2017. What most sets Jay apart is that his raps don't include guns or violence. Jay has opened for Twista, T.I. and Jermaine Dupri and performed shows in Detroit, New York and Atlanta
In 2018, Langston and his wife, Sabrina, established The Langston Galloway Foundation to further their philanthropic efforts in Louisiana — where they grew up and met — and in Detroit, Michigan. The Langston Galloway Foundation works to improve the overall well-being of student athletes through programming, advocacy and action. The foundation works to provide these student athletes with the proper tools to excel on the court and, most importantly, off the court.
Langston has used his LGKicks platform to parallel the Pistons awareness game night schedule. Langston has custom shoes made for all awareness nights including Breast Health Awareness, Hoops for Troops, Black History Month and Women’s Month. He plans further outreach with the LGKicks platform for kids by developing a scholarship for youth to attend school and take a class all about sneakers called “Sneaker Essentials” with a company called Yellowbrick.
Amber M. Lewis embodies being “Social N The City”. She is a digital media director by day and in the evening she is a brand ambassador, creative strategist and an experience expert. Her lifestyle encompasses events, dining, fashion, beauty and wellness that fuels her work ethic. She lives by the motto she believes she can, so she does.
Ken Brown has been working for non-profit organizations for over 22 years, he started off working with Big Brothers Big Sisters and currently works at Matrix Human Services. Mr. Brown is proud of the Midnight basketball league and boxing programs running out of the Matrix Center because it allows young people to have a safer space during a dangerous time frame for teens
Today we honor Zeek of New Era Detroit!!! Zeek developed New Era based on the growth and development of black communities not just here in Detroit but nationwide… sharing the “black print” of community work and putting plays in place to change the community through best practices and outreach programs
Today we honor David Merritt of Detroit…Currently the Associate Pastor at The Straight Gate International Church, under the leadership of his parents… he is the part owner of Narrow Way Café and Shop…Every day Merritt strives to bring into being those things he can see but cannot touch
Today’s Changemaker is Mary Sheffield… at the age of 26 she was the youngest person ever elected to the Detroit City Council. Mary is a member of the National Network to Combat Gun Violence, as well as her own initiatives like “Occupy the Corner” and the “State of the Youth”. Mary Sheffield believes in building a stronger future for Detroit as well as restoring Detroit to prominence, globally
Anthony White is the Director of the Detroit Youth Concert Choir and Performing Arts Company! A husband, father and Minister of Music at Victory Community Church in Detroit. Mr. White led the DYC to a second-place victory on the television show America’s Got Talent!!!
Today we honor the president of the UAW, Rory Gamble. hHs commitment to community service has had a direct impact on the youth. Some of his community outreach efforts addressed hunger, shelter, food and clothing!!!
Today we honor Lance Woods and Joe Robinson of We Run 313, a run club designed to build a healthier community! Running on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays it was created to dismantle the narrative the African Americans don’t run and move the culture forward in the city of Detroit!!!
Antonice Strickland
An award-winning PR and an Account Executive at Truscott Rossman…a Michigan based Public Relations and Communications firm.She also leads community outreach and manages the intern program for the Detroit office! She also is a former volunteer with meals on wheels and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America!