THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE February 22-28, 2017 40 Under 40 LaNesha DeBardelaben Garlin Gilchrist II Senior Vice President of Education and Exhibitions Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Director, Innovation & Emerging Technology | City of Detroit Garlin Gilchrist II came home to Detroit in July 2014 with his wife, Ellen, and 10-month-old twins Garlin III and Emily because he felt that everything he had learned and experienced living on the West and East coasts would be best used to serve Detroiters.
LaNesha DeBardelaben’s life motto has long been “To whom much is given, much is required.” She joined the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History staff in 2011. She manages the Wright Museum’s education, programming and exhibitions teams, and is facilitating the museum’s stride toward national accreditation. She is a member of the national Board of Directors of both the Association of African American Museums (AAAM) and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). In addition, she serves on the statewide board of the Michigan Museums Association (MMA). Always focused on community uplift, LaNesha is currently enrolled in Leadership Detroit, and is an active member of The Links, Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the Pierians, and Hartford Memorial Baptist Church. Passionate about educational equity, literacy, and public history, she is a published writer whose historical writings are published nationally in the African American National Biography and Michigan History magazine. LaNesha has a BA from Kalamazoo College, an MA from the University of Missouri in St. Louis, an MLS from Indiana University-Bloomington, and is pursuing a Ph.D. at Michigan State University.
The importance of personal service was instilled in him by my mother Yvonne Gilchrist, and father, Garlin Gilchrist, Sr., who both grew up on Detroit’s west side. He is now the City of Detroit’s first-ever director of Innovation & Emerging Technology. Garlin’s job is to open up the city’s public data and information, make it easier for Detroiters to gain insight into and participate in decision-making processes, and solve problems for the benefit of all city residents. Before returning to Detroit, Garlin created Detroit Diaspora, worked as a software engineer at Microsoft, and was national campaign director at MoveOn.org. He also co-hosted The #WinReport on “The Good Fight,” a podcast that was awarded one of Apple’s Best of 2013. Garlin graduated with degrees in computer engineering and computer science from the University of Michigan in 2005.
Nyron Fauconier VP, Account Director | Jack Morton Worldwide As Jack Morton Worldwide VP and account director, Nyron oversees the Chevrolet Global account, creative, production and strategy teams charged with enhancing Chevrolet’s global brand awareness. Under his leadership, the teams have received several international awards. Nyron also works with Chevrolet’s cause marketing initiative, aiding over 50 million people in disadvantaged global communities. Prior to his current role, he oversaw the NFL and NCAA sponsorships on the Buick GMC account. Nyron previously worked in strategy and analytics at the Arena Football League, Turnkey Sports & Entertainment, Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and New Orleans Brass Hockey Team. He is committed to the advancement of others, evidenced through his work as a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated, National Association of Black Journalists, National Black MBA, and Big Brothers & Big Sisters. Always reaching out and giving back, he leverages teachable moments to help others achieve their full potential. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Nyron holds a BA from Xavier University of Louisiana and an MBA from Clark Atlanta University and is a proud husband and father of two.
Indira K. Glass District Deputy Director | Congresswoman Brenda L. Lawrence Indira K. Glass currently serves as the deputy district director for Congresswoman Brenda L. Lawrence, representative for the 14th Congressional District. She oversees the congresswoman’s strategic priorities while managing relationships with key partners throughout the district. She is a member of the Detroit Branch NAACP where serves as secretary. Mrs. Glass graduated cum laude with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science & Women’s Studies from Oakland University and has earned a Master of Public Administration from Wayne State University. She is a current member of the Southfield Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She is the oldest daughter of Indira Shelton-Pierce and Edsel F. Pierce Jr. She is sister of Angelia S. Pierce and she and her husband, Rubin Glass II are the proud parents of Regan Glass. She knows that to whom much is given, much is required and in the words of Althea Gibson, “No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helped you,” and for that she is always grateful.
Aaron Foley
DeLorean Griffin MD
Editor | Blac Detroit Magazine Aaron Foley is a Detroit native and resident who has worked in journalism for the entirety of his professional career. He got his start early, writing short poems and features for the Michigan Chronicle, where his mother, Jill Day Foley, was business editor. He attended Michigan State University and majored in journalism. His first job was with the Lansing State Journal, where he was a copy editor and columnist. He returned to Detroit in 2009 to help launch MLive Detroit, an all-new news and information site serving the area.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon | St. Mary Mercy Livonia Dr. DeLorean Griffin is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia. He has been in practice for two years and focuses on breast and body contouring following massive weight loss. He also performs up-to-date breast reconstruction and complex craniofacial reconstruction for trauma. As a fine artist, he regularly applies his artistic skills when performing surgery. He completed his medical school education at Wayne State School of Medicine and his residency at the Detroit Medical Center. During his training, he received the highest in-service exam score in his program two consecutive years and was promoted to chief administrative resident. He has won several awards, including the Best Breast Reconstruction, resident presentation, at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Conference in 2014.
After his stint there and at Ward’s Automotive Reports, Aaron became a full-time freelance journalist, with bylines in Jalopnik, Ebony, Forbes, Reuters, Next City, Foreign Policy, CNN and several others. Along the way, his essays have been reprinted in anthologies, textbooks and literary journals, and he delivered a well-received TEDx talk in front of 2,500 listeners at Fox Theatre. In 2015, Aaron simultaneously published his first book, “How to Live in Detroit Without Being a Jackass” and took over as editor of BLAC Detroit magazine, and in 2017 he will publish a yet-tobe-titled Detroit neighborhood anthology.
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Dr. Griffin is dedicated to educating residents and students in the field of plastic surgery and is active in many organizations and volunteer services in the community. He is currently on the executive board of the Detroit Medical Society and is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Alaina Fruge Producer | AM 1200 WCHB, Radio One Detroit Alaina Fruge, a native of Louisiana, began her career in Michigan in 2010 as executive producer of “Inside Detroit,” now “The Mildred Gaddis Show,” at Radio One Detroit. During her six-year tenure at Radio One, she has secured interviews from top local officials and former President Barack Obama. She has been honored by Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones for speaking at public hearing meetings and organizing multiple broadcasts and securing donations for the city of Flint in its water crisis.
Russell Harris Principal | Jalen Rose Leadership Academy
Alaina’s activism started as a college student where she rallied alongside Michael Baisden during Jena 6 and volunteered during Hurricane Katrina. She has been an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. since 2005, currently serving in Detroit’s Lambda Pi Omega Chapter. She has been a member of Triumph Church since 2010 where she has served with Youth Impact and Office of the Pastor. She is a former commentator and producer for “Detroit Speaks” with Cliff Russell, and voice talent for WGPR HOT 107.5. Alaina graduated in 2007 from Grambling State University with a bachelor’s begree in Mass Communications.
Russell Harris currently serves as principal at the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy on the northwest side of Detroit. He recently completed studies at the Harvard Principals’ Center and Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, Summer Institute for General Management (SIGM). Overcoming many obstacles in his life, from being homeless to growing up in a single-parent household of eight children, Russell was the first male in his family to graduate with a high school diploma, undergraduate degree, and master’s degree. He has already found success in his current role as principal, having graduated 99 percent of the academy’s class of 2016. One hundred percent of JRLA’s class of 2016 have also gained acceptance to post-secondary opportunities. Russell believes that all kids can lean and is on a mission to provide a quality education to urban youth regardless of their household income and zip code.
CONGRATULATIONS! Tiffany Sanford, M.D. For recognition as one of 2017’s
40UNDER40 The CareLink Board of Directors salutes your achievement! We are proud to have you on the board! www.CareLinkNetwork.org