Speakers

New Detroit offers compelling and engaging speakers and presenters on racial equity and antiracism.
Contact Marshalle Favors for more information.

rafferty-1

MIKE S.
RAFFERTY

President & CEO

Speaking Topics:

Racial Equity and Empathy

Mike joined New Detroit May 20, 2019. Previously Mike served as Vice President of Small Business Services at the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation where he was responsible for developing and leading strategies, programs, and initiatives that supported new and existing businesses in their efforts to thrive in Detroit. Mike’s previous roles span twenty years of experience managing projects, programs, and organizations that support community and regional economic development; advocating for and building the capacity of nonprofits and small businesses; and analyzing policy and advising local policymakers. Mike currently serves on the board of the Henry Ford Health System, the Michigan Board of Ethics, Jefferson East Inc., Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, and numerous task forces and committees. Previous boards include TechTown, the Eight Mile Boulevard Association, the Woodward Avenue Action Association, the Villages Community Development Corporation, Eastside Community Network, and LAND Inc. Mike has a Master’s degree in Urban Planning with a concentration in Economic Development from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and a B.A. in Communications from St. Mary’s College in Orchard Lake, Michigan. He has received a number of honors and awards including the Sue Marx Smock Graduate Fellowship Award for Urban Research, the Business Visionary Award from the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Michigan Chronicle’s Men of Excellence award.

favors-bw-circ

MARSHALLE
FAVORS

Director of Community Engagement

Speaking Topics:

Racial Equity

Social Equity

Antiracism

Marshalle promotes positive race relations by developing and maintaining relationships that convene the Arab, Chaldean, African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American communities throughout southeast Michigan. As lead facilitator for New Detroit’s Leadership Series on R.A.C.E., Marshalle conducts regional forums with representatives from a cross section of businesses, civic groups, educational institutions, health services and community-based organizations. She is committed to cultivating cross-cultural collaboration between diverse communities by developing collective strategies and solutions that affect social equity.

irby-1

REBECCA
IRBY

Director of Programs & Services

Speaking Topics:

Racial Equity

Implicit Bias

Environmental Justice

Rebecca joined New Detroit December 1, 2021, after spending the last 16 years in the education sector. Rebecca is an educator and activist who opens spaces of peace and cross-cultural communication around the world. Her work encompasses the creation of experiential learning in social skills, diversity, cultural awareness and communication training for marginalized youth, organizations, institutions, and governmental groups. Rebecca was part of the team winning the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize and holds Consulting Status at the United Nations. She has spoken at and worked with prominent institutions such as Harvard Law School, the Yale Policy Conference, NJ Department of Education, Rutgers University, the National Liberty Museum and The PyeongChang Global Peace Forum, to name a few.