Mayor names Melia Howard as new Deputy Mayor
As Director of Community Relations, Howard has been a champion for residents and key advisor to Mayor on neighborhood development
Howard will replace Todd Bettison, who becomes Interim Police Chief on Nov. 11
Will become the second woman to service as Deputy Mayor in city's history
Mayor Mike Duggan announced today he has named his longtime advisor on neighborhood economic development, community organizer and resident advocate, Melia Howard, as his new Deputy Mayor. A lifelong Detroiter, Howard will replace Todd Bettison, who recently was named Interim Police Chief.
Howard has served as the mayor’s Director of Community Engagement for the past 2 years, where she has played a key role in building community support for many of the city’s marquee development projects by making sure they had a voice in the process and a role in shaping each project’s community benefits agreement. Prior to that, she was Director of Special Projects and also served as Department of Neighborhoods manager for District 5.
Howard will become Detroit’s second woman to serve as Deputy Mayor in the city’s history. Nettie Seabrooks was the first woman to hold the position from 1994-1997 under Mayor Dennis Archer.
“Melia has been a fierce advocate for residents and absolutely critical in making sure Detroiters have a strong voice at City Hall and in developments proposed in their neighborhoods,” said Mayor Duggan. “Projects like the renovation of Michigan Central and Fisher Body 21, as well as the $3 billion Future of Health development, might not have happened if not for the trust Melia has built in the community and among developers.”
Prior to becoming Director of Community Relations, Howard was the Mayor’s Special Projects Manager, where she began serving as advisor to Mayor Duggan on large-scale development projects, a role she will continue as Deputy Mayor. Howard has also worked as a District 5 Manager for the Department of Neighborhoods for more than three years, where she managed community relationships and helped residents with their daily concerns.
Howard also spearheaded the Saturdays in the D program, which provides Detroit youths and adults on-campus educational activities at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. The program, which is partnership with UM and Ally Financial, gives 100 high school students and 100 adults each year access to educational and experiential opportunities at UM in fields like robotics and climate change.
Howard also will continue the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) work that has been led by Bettison. Over the first three quarters, the “Shotstoppers” initiative has resulted in dramatic reductions in homicides and non-fatal shootings in most of the six areas served by CVI community organizations.
“As a little girl from the eastside, I never thought this was possible and I am truly humbled and honored that Mayor Duggan has trusted me with this enormous opportunity. My residents mean so much to me and I will continue to work hard for them.” Howard said.
Her passion for Detroit’s future, combined with her professional expertise, makes Howard a vital force in the city’s ongoing transformation.
