This Detroiter is improving his neighborhood, and city hall noticed

April 25, 2026

Jerjuan Howard, a 28-year-old Detroit native inspired by Trayvon Martin's death to pursue social change, returned to his west side neighborhood after military service instead of attending law school. On Puritan Avenue, he established multiple community initiatives including the Umoja Debate League, which has expanded from five students to programs across twenty Detroit schools, teaching debate skills while building confidence and civic engagement among young people. He also transformed abandoned properties into community assets like a bookstore, garden, and business association, believing these visible improvements can inspire similar transformations throughout Detroit.

Who is affected

Jerjuan Howard (appointed to new city position)
Hundreds of middle and high school students participating in Umoja Debate League across 20 Detroit schools
Michael Burley and other young debaters gaining confidence and skills
Students at seven schools within a mile and a half of the bookstore
West side Detroit residents on Puritan Avenue
Darnell Vance and community members benefiting from the garden and improvements
Zaniah Cummings (Howard's sister) inspired by his work
Mayor Mary Sheffield's administration
Detroit City Council member James Tate
Local businesses connected through the Puritan Avenue Business Association

What action is being taken

Howard is stepping into his new role as Detroit's first director of youth affairs
Howard is handing over his community initiatives to colleagues and family
The Umoja Debate League is operating with programs across 10 middle schools and 10 high schools
The Howard Family Bookstore is opening on April 25
The Puritan Avenue Business Association is working to connect businesses
Students are debating contemporary issues and engaging directly with policymakers
The community garden at Umoja Village is producing vegetables

Why it matters

This work matters because it demonstrates how targeted, community-based youth development programs can build civic engagement, confidence, and leadership skills while simultaneously revitalizing disinvested neighborhoods. Howard's approach shows young people that they can directly impact policy and create change in their communities, countering the pessimism that often comes from growing up surrounded by abandoned buildings and disinvestment. By creating visible improvements—transforming blighted properties into vibrant community spaces—Howard is proving that positive change can be "contagious" and replicable across Detroit's neighborhoods. His elevation to director of youth affairs signals that grassroots community organizing can influence city-level policy and potentially scale these hyperlocal successes citywide.

What's next

The Howard Family Bookstore will open on April 25 and serve as a gathering space for literacy programs, guest speakers, and community events
Howard plans to develop two empty lots he purchased across from the bookstore into a health clinic based on resident feedback
In his new city hall role, Howard aims to create opportunities for young people and make community transformation the norm rather than an anomaly across Detroit

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com