Detroit Mayor Announces New Leadership Focused on Youth and Education
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield announced , the creation of new leadership roles designed to better coordinate and focus the city’s efforts on supporting its youth, ages 0-26. The initiatives include the appointment of Dr. Chanel Hampton as the Senior Director of Youth and Education, and JerJuan Howard as the Director of the new Office of Youth Affairs.
The Senior Director of Youth and Education position is intended to bring greater coordination, leadership, and accountability to the city’s work with young people. According to the Mayor’s office, the role will align youth policy and education strategy, and refocus departmental priorities around the needs of Detroit’s youth across all levels of city government.
Dr. Hampton will also serve as the Education Liaison to the Mayor, working closely with the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD), charter schools, out-of-school-time programs, and community organizations. This dual role aims to collaboratively address the most pressing needs of students and their families.
The newly established Office of Youth Affairs will work to consolidate the city’s existing youth councils, forums, and task forces into a unified and coordinated voice for measurable change. The office will also collaborate with city government to develop and revise policies that ensure a more equitable, responsive, and proactive approach to the needs of Detroit’s young people.
“The young people of Detroit deserve a city that prioritizes every young person and guarantees them access and opportunities to grow and thrive,” said Mayor Sheffield. “As we continue building an inclusive and equitable city with opportunities for all, youth must be an integral part of our commitment. The creation of the Senior Director of Youth and Education position ensures we have a strong strategy to guarantee the best outcomes for our city’s young people. With the Office of Youth Affairs, we are integrating youth into how we develop policies, allocate resources, and measure success across city government.”
Dr. Hampton brings over 20 years of experience in education, government, and organizational leadership to the role. Prior to joining the Mayor’s office, she served as the founder and Executive Director of Strategic Community Partners, where she oversaw more than $100 million in investments in schools, grassroots organizations, and community initiatives in Detroit and nationwide. Her career includes experience in teaching, public school system leadership, national education organizations, and collaborations with local, state, and federal agencies.
“Our young people are brilliant and powerful,” said Dr. Hampton. “I recognize and applaud the work of families, schools, and out-of-school-time program partners. As a city, we also have a role to play: working together to ensure every young person has the future they deserve. This work is about preparing Detroit’s young people for success, so they can thrive today and lead tomorrow.”
JerJuan Howard is a Detroit-based youth and policy leader with extensive experience in education, community development, and civic engagement. He is the founder of the Umoja Debate League and has held positions at DPSCD and Detroit City Hall.
“Historically, Detroit has been built by those who deeply care about their neighborhoods, and our young people are an integral part of that,” said Howard. “As residents, they share the same pride as longtime Detroiters, and it is our duty to provide them with a platform to contribute. I have spent years working alongside young people in schools and in their neighborhoods, and I’ve seen what happens when they are trusted, supported, and given real opportunities. The Office of Youth Affairs will ensure their voices are integrated into the growth of Detroit, so the future of our city reflects the spirit and ideas of the next generations.”
Additional initiatives are planned, based on the stated needs of young people and residents, focusing on coordinating resources around early learning, streamlining access to and success in college and career pathways, expanding youth workforce development, and increasing out-of-school-time programming and youth engagement. Details regarding upcoming community listening sessions will be shared in the coming weeks.
