Dozens of city leaders agree to help Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield shape her policies

Louis Aguilar, The Detroit News on Nov 13, 2025

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DETROIT — Nearly four dozen business, community and philanthropic leaders are part of Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield's effort to shape and guide policy that she vows will spread Detroit's rebounding fortunes citywide.

Sheffield, who takes office in January, unveiled the members of her Rise Higher Detroit transition team at Marygrove Conservancy on Thursday. The group is slated to include 18 committees that will meet at Marygrove and deliver a broad range of policy recommendations to Sheffield by the end of the year.

"Their work will shape our transition priorities, inform our policies and ensure that every decision we make as a city is rooted in partnership and the collective voice of our people," Sheffield said Thursday.

She noted it may be the first time a transition team for an incoming Detroit mayor wasn't based downtown and involves such a wide range of members. The full list of committee members can be found online.

"I've never seen this kind of coalition before, which speaks to her level of understanding of involvement and ... relationships over the years," said Teferi Brent, a minister at Fellowship Chapel.

Sheffield is a three-term Detroit City Council member. Brent is one of three co-chairs of the public safety committee.

"We want to fix the root-cause issues that create criminal behavior," he said, advocating for more violence prevention programs. "We are going to identify the best evidence-based practices that we can find throughout the country."

Co-chair Melvin "Butch" Holowell said the committees will meet at least two or three times at Marygrove by the end of the year to draft their proposals.

Sheffield pointed out the committee meetings are not public but through the Rise Higher Detroit website, the community can provide input. Also, a public forum will be held at an undetermined date, she said.

The effort is being funded by foundation money and no taxpayer dollars are being used, organizers said.

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