40 Under 40 Jasmine Barnes
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Senior Policy Analyst/ Community Liaison | Detroit City Council
February 22-28, 2017 Page C-2
Evrod Cassimy Anchor | WDIV
Jasmine Barnes is the senior policy analyst/community liaison for Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones. She has worked on many developments within the city of Detroit such as the Gateway Project, Littler Caesars Arena, and the M1-Rail. She has also facilitated the establishment of policies relating to various issues such as employment, community benefits, legislative transparency and efficiency, and her personal favorite, animal care and control. She works diligently to provide the residents of the city of Detroit expeditious access to information and resolutions to complaints.
Evrod Cassimy is the morning and noon anchor at WDIV Local 4 News. He started at Local 4 in August of 2013. Originally from the Chicago area, Evrod graduated from Columbia College Chicago. He began his TV news career in Grand Junction, Colorado, and has covered news in Madison, Wisconsin, Orlando, Florida, Richmond, Virginia, and Denver, Colorado before joining the Local 4 News team. He is an award winning journalist and six-time Emmy Award nominee. In 2010, he received the Virginia Associated Press Award for Best Breaking News Coverage.
She is a native Detroiter and graduate of Cass Technical High School. Her parents, Gerald and Cynthia Williams, instilled the compassion for community service which led her to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from Bowling Green State University in 2010. Since 2011, with the support, guidance, and mentorship of Council President Jones, Chief of Staff Stephen Grady, and the entire Team Jones staff, Jasmine has become a dedicated passionate public servant focused on enhancing the quality of life and access to opportunities for all residents of Detroit.
Throughout his career in TV news, Evrod has covered a variety of major news stories, reporting in the field and from behind the desk. He can be seen on Local 4 from 4:30-7 am and 12 pm Monday through Friday.
Erika Batchelor Director, Head Start | Franklin Wright Settlements, Inc Erika B. Batchelor is the director of Early Childhood Development & Education at Franklin Wright Settlements, where she uses her passion for art to inspire early learning for vulnerable, special needs, and handicapped children. Her special gift is her ability to meet every child individually, and incorporate the child’s village to overcome any barriers to their success. Erika graduated from Columbus College of Art & Design with a B.A. in Art. After graduating from college, she lived in Australia and while there found her passion working with aboriginal children. Once the seed was planted, she moved to Atlanta where she continued to pursue her gift of working with children, and received her CDA (Children Development Associate). She returned to her native Detroit in 2009 where she continued her education and received her master’s degree from Central Michigan University.
On the personal side, Evrod enjoys working out, trying new restaurants, a good cup of coffee, socializing in metro Detroit, watching TV at home, listening to music and keeping up with social media. He is married with a young child and one on the way.
Dr. Eddie Connor Bestselling Author, International Speaker, College Professor Dr. Eddie Connor is a bestselling author, international speaker, college professor, and radio/TV correspondent. He is a survivor of stage 4 cancer and empowers people to overcome obstacles. As an author of seven books, Dr. Connor is the cousin of one of the world’s most influential entertainers and musicians, Prince. He has been featured and hosted segments on BET, CBS, FOX News, NBC, PBS, Steve Harvey’s TV show, Tom Joyner’s Show, and The Word Network.
Erika B. Batchelor will marry Marcus Murray on March 11, 2017. They have an eight-month-old son, Keegan Jacob.
Dr. Connor is the CEO of the mentoring organization, Boys 2 Books, that empowers young males via literacy, leadership, and life skills enrichment. The program became the impetus for President Barack Obama’s, My Brother’s Keeper initiative. He is a recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the White House and was named one of the Top 35 Millennial Influencers in America. He grew up in Kingston, Jamaica and is a proud resident of Detroit.
Shanise E. Bell, MBA, PMP
Jehan Crump-Gibson, Esq.
Director of Business Transformation |Health Alliance Plan (HAP) Shanise Bell is a resourceful and results-driven Project Management (PMP) certified professional with 13 years of experience bridging the gap between business objectives and technology capabilities. She is a leader who is able to take the vision of a department and make it a reality. As an accomplished leader, she has been recognized at HAP for her ability to execute successful projects, manage high performing teams, and build credibility with executives, project teams and staff.
Managing Member | C&G Legal Solutions PLC In 2009, attorney Jehan Crump-Gibson founded C&G Solutions PLC, a specialized legal and consulting firm. As C&G’s managing member, Jehan assists for-profit and nonprofit entities with contractual matters, licensing approvals and employment issues. She provides counsel to businesses on municipal matters concerning zoning approvals, legislative analysis, and government-sponsored tax incentive programs. She has also assisted many families with the preparation of important estate planning documents and legal issues concerning estate administration.
Managing the initiatives within this portfolio is similar to running several small companies within HAP. Each has specific objectives, budgets, staffing, training needs and implementation plans. She has developed a process for each one to be managed, evaluated and replicated when needed.
Jehan currently serves as president of the Wolverine Bar Association and Wolverine Bar Foundation; is a member of the State Bar of Michigan Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, member of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s Probate and Estate Planning Advisory Board, member of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, secretary of the Rising Achievers Advisory Board for Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan, mentor with Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Among her major project successes is the implementation of a strategic process poised to save HAP millions of dollars over the next five years.
Jehan has been twice recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers as a Rising Star. She also received the 2015 and 2016 Martindale Hubbell Client Distinction Award.
Managing a multimillion dollar corporate portfolio of strategic projects across dozens of departments is essential work. Shanise’s function is critical to the maintenance and development of HAP’s most important internal business operations.