Our People

Monica Lewis-Patrick

Monica Lewis-Patrick (aka The Water Warrior) is an educator, entrepreneur, and human rights activist/advocate. She has served as Director of Community Outreach & Engagement since 2009. She was unanimously elected by the Board to become the President & CEO.

Debra Taylor

Debra Taylor is a nationally recognized advocate, most notably for her work during the current Flint Water Crisis and Detroit Water Shutoffs. Her work on social and political advocacy of marginalized populations garnered her the Spirit of Detroit Award for the second time in 2012, for her work with We the People of Detroit (WTPD).

Cecily McClellan

Cecily R. McClellan is a native Detroiter with a heart for activism since childhood. She attended Detroit Public Schools and was part of the Association of Black Students at the former Eastern High School where the group was instrumental in changing not only the name of the high school to Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High but also curriculum and administration.

Aurora Harris

Aurora Harris is a community activist, educator, poet, multicultural expert and advocate of children, particularly those with special needs. Aurora is a native Detroiter with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Wayne State University and a Master of Arts Degree in Social Foundations in Education from Eastern Michigan University.

Phyllis (Chris) Griffith

Phyllis (Chris) Griffith is a native Detroiter with over forty years of professional experience in social work, vocational training and health and human services management. Her Detroit roots run deep as a proud graduate of Cass Technical High School, Wayne County Community College and Wayne State University.