Read Detroit’s Poet Laureate jessica Care moore’s Poem from Mayor Sheffield’s Inauguration

February 18, 2026

Detroit poet and cultural architect jessica Care moore composed and delivered a ceremonial poem honoring Mary Sheffield at her inauguration as Detroit's first woman mayor on January 8, 2026. The poem, titled "We Rise Higher," positions Sheffield's historic achievement within the legacy of Detroit's Black women leaders and the city's broader history of resilience and community organizing. Moore's work emphasizes that Sheffield's election represents not just a political milestone but a manifestation of generational perseverance, tracing back to Detroit's roots and the work of women who carried leadership responsibilities without formal recognition.

Who is affected

Mary Sheffield, Detroit's first woman mayor
jessica Care moore, Detroit Poet Laureate
Detroit residents, particularly those on the westside where Sheffield was raised
Students who participate in Sheffield's "A State of The Youth" events
Pregnant mothers and babies (targeted by Sheffield's first policy announcement)
Black women and girls who can now see themselves in leadership positions
Historical Detroit women leaders referenced (Erma Henderson, Kyra Bolden, Charlene White, Barbara Rose Collins, Joann Watson, Rosa Parks, Ruth Ellis)

What action is being taken

Mary Sheffield's first announcement as mayor centers around lifting up pregnant mothers and babies and fighting poverty.

Why it matters

This inauguration marks a historic turning point for Detroit, which waited 324 years (since the office was created in 1824) to elect a woman mayor. The significance extends beyond gender representation—it demonstrates the rise of grassroots, community-centered leadership in a city with a legacy of Black women doing the work of leadership without receiving formal titles or recognition. Sheffield's immediate focus on maternal health and poverty reduction signals a governing philosophy that prioritizes human investment over empire-building, offering a model for other cities where communities have been historically marginalized or erased.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article beyond the ongoing policy focus on pregnant mothers, babies, and poverty reduction that has already been announced.

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle