Board Members

Cary is a founding member of Royal Oak law firm Pitt McGehee Palmer & Rivers. She has specialized in employment and civil rights litigation for 25 years, since graduating magna cum laude from the Detroit College of Law in 1989.

Cary has successfully litigated and tried numerous civil rights cases resulting in favorable settlements and verdicts for her clients in the state and federal courts.

These include: discrimination cases based on age, national origin, sex, race and disability; cases alleging retaliation; sexual, racial and national origin harassment; violations of Family and Medical Leave Act: Whistleblowers Protection Act; and prisoner rights cases.

She is also a member of the Flint Water Class Action Litigation team, which is currently litigating multiple class action lawsuits in federal and state court.

Cary was selected a 2016 “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America; has received AV peer rating (highest possible) from Martindale-Hubbell and has been annually rated as one of the state’s top employment lawyers by Michigan Super Lawyers since 2006.

She was co-counsel on Neal vs. Michigan Department of Corrections case, a successful class action lawsuit filed on behalf of over 500 female prisoners who were sexually assaulted by male prison guards. For her work on this case, Cary was named Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Public Justice Foundation (2008) in honor of her outstanding contribution to the public interest.

She has also received the Lawyers for the People Award from the National Lawyers Guild (2008) in recognition of extraordinary commitment to uphold human, civil, and constitutional rights; and the Wade Hampton McCree Jr. Award (2009) for the advancement of social justice awarded by the Federal Bar Association.

Cary serves on the Michigan State College of Law Board of Trustees and as Chair of the Local Rules Advisory Committee of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

In addition, she was elected Fellow by the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, recognizing her sustained contribution to the field of labor and employment law and her high standards of integrity, professionalism and character.

Cary helped organize and lead the 2013 and 2016 MCHR Freedom Tours, taking 35 high school students on a two-week journey through southern states and visited key historic sites of the civil rights movement. It was an extraordinary opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the civil rights movement, to learn the history, to study and embody nonviolence, to build community and inspire our future social justice and civil rights leaders.

Brenda Bryant is currently the Dean of Community Based Learning at Marygrove College and the Executive Director of the Center for Social Justice and Community Engagement at Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan. She was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Bryant has a B.A. and M.A. from Sir Wilfrid Laurier University (Canada), as well as a Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Ecological Community Psychology. She is the Board President of Wellness House of Michigan, Chair of the Research Team at the Coalition of Interfaith Community and School Board of Pontiac, as well as a Consultant for Delta Preparatory Academy (Social Justice High School). Additionally, she is a World Bridge Master.

Redigan is Vice Chair of MCHR and represents the organization on the Detroit People’s Water Board Coalition Faith Action Committee. A non-violence trainer and peace educator with Michigan-Meta Peace Team. Redigan has served on several domestic and international peace teams in Palestine and Egypt. She is also involved in Women in Black/Detroit, Detroit Metro Interfaith Worker Justice, Detroit Area Peace with Justice Network and is on the state council of Pax Christi Michigan. For the past 13 years, she has been part of the theology faculty at University of Detroit Jesuit High School where she teaches World Religions, Human Dignity and Social Justice, Wealth and Poverty and moderates the school’s JustPeace Club. In her spare time, Redigan writes for a variety of publications and blogs on activism and spirituality at www.writetimeforpeace.com.

Dorothy Dewberry Aldridge, a native of Detroit, is among the longest serving members of MCHR. Her civil and human rights work began in the the 1950s with the NAACP Youth Council. During the 60s and 70s, she served as director of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and worked with such noted  persons as Stokely Carmichael, Hubert “Rap” Brown, Mrs Rosa Parks, Mrs Fannie Lou Hamer and Miss Ella Baker. In the 1980′s, through working with MCHR, she organized and led bus tours of Civil Rights movement historic sights in the South for young people from Metro Detroit. These tours took young people to Birmingham, Montgomery, and Selma, AL, Albany, Georgia, Memphis, TN and other places where the Movement’s battles were fought. She also served as Chief Guide for the Detroit Freedom tours that visited historic sites locally, both here and in Canada. Ms Aldridge was active in part as a result of her work with Mohr’s South Africa Committee, in the anti-apartheid protests and the African Liberation Support Movement. She was also very active in MCHR’s South Africa Committee in its early years. She has also recently served on the MLK Day planning comittee for the last few years. Most recently, Dorothy has been active on MCHR’s film committee and annual dinner committee and was a key planner and chaperone of the 2013 Freedom Tour this past summer. Mrs Dewberry Aldridge is married to fellow activist, Rev. Dan Aldridge and they have a daughter and grandson.

Rev. Denise Griebler is pastor of First United Church of Christ in Richmond, Mich. A long-time human rights and social justice activist, she has been active in the sanctuary movement since the 80s. Griebler also serves on the board of directors of SIPAZ, an international human rights organization in Chiapas, Mexico.

Dr. Imam Achmat Salie is a program developer at University of Detroit/ Mercy. He has been imam at several mosques in Michigan and Ohio and created Islamic Studies programs at Oakland University and UD Mercy. He is part of the interfaith, peace, environmental and spiritual movements.

Eric Hood is a veteran public relations and corporate communication consultant. He has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies and other organizations throughout Michigan, the U.S. and Europe for over 25 years. Eric is also involved with advocacy, education and communication initiatives on behalf of Mental Health America and the National Institute for Mental Health. He is a member of the Public Relations Society of America, International Association of Business Communicators, American Marketing Association and American Civil Liberties Union.

Yusef Bunchy Shakur is the son Ava Jo and is a native of Black Detroit, who is well versed in the language and syntax of Black Detroit as an author, educator, and neighborhood organizer. Yusef epitomizes redemption and Black Transformation from what he identifies as a street-holic from the many lessons he learned from his father whom he met in prison for the first time. As a Black organic intellectual, unorthodox leader and father he has demonstrated his commitment to the revolutionary principles of racial and social justice as an activists and organizer to enhance the lives of Black people and other oppressed people through his works of Restoring The Neighbor Back To The ‘Hood by being the Director of the Mama Akua Community House and member of Community Movement Builders.

He has been featured in many newspaper articles, TV and radio interviews talking about his transformation, redemption, ideas, and organizing efforts. He also has received numerous awards such as the University of Michigan Dearborn 1^st Place Creative Non-Fiction 2017 Writing Award, Damon J. Keith Center Fighter for Justice Award 2016, University of Michigan School of Social Work Carol Goss Leadership Award 2019, Michigan Chronicle Men of Excellence Award 2019, and Michigan Coalition for Human Rights Community Activist Award 2022. He is currently serves as Deputy of Director of Neighborhood Organizing with the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity & Inclusion and earned his MSW from the University of Michigan School of Social Work in 2019. In 2021 he started as a PhD candidate at the Union Institute & University with a focus in Public Policy & Social Change.

Bio coming soon

Tom Zerafa is a Detroit native and graduate of Marygrove College (B.A in Liberal Arts/ Music Major/Religious Studies Minor, class of ’91). Tom also attained a Graduate Certificate in Liturgical Studies from the University of Notre Dame in 1998. He has been a Pastoral Musician in the Archdiocese of Detroit since 1969. Tom has been an Activist/advocate/fundraiser in LGBT community/peace, transportation and environmental groups and progressive organizations over past 40 years. Currently, Tom is a culinary student at Oakland Community College with a goal of opening a food/hot meal service for the underserved in lower Oakland County sometime in 2014. He is also a Half- marathoner for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society 3 years and running!

Julie Hurwitz is a partner at the Detroit firm Goodman & Hurwitz, P.C., where she specializes in civil rights and government misconduct/§1983 litigation. She has been adjunct professor of law at the University of Detroit/Mercy School of Law since 2005, teaching Civil Rights Litigation. She was the founding Executive Director of the NLG/Maurice & Jane Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice [Sugar Law Center] in Detroit, where she served for more than 10 years. She has successfully tried several civil rights cases to verdict, including police misconduct, prisoner rights, malicious prosecution and wrongful conviction. She has spoken and written extensively on issues pertaining to civil rights, civil liberties and representing victims of constitutional violations. She has also represented civil disobedience activists since the early 1980’s and is actively involved in providing Legal Observer training and support throughout the metropolitan Detroit area. She is Vice President of the Detroit NLG Chapter and is on the Boards of the Sugar Law Center and the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights. She is currently co-counsel, on behalf of the NLG and with the Sugar Law Center, in the federal Constitutional challenge to the recently re-enacted Michigan Emergency Manager Law (“dictator bill”). Julie is a 1978 graduate, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of California at Berkeley with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, and a 1982 graduate from the University of Michigan Law School and has 3 wonderful and talented grown sons, 3 amazing stepchildren and 3 beautiful grandkids.

Azikiwe is the editor of the Pan-African Newswire. He is a political analyst for various satellite television networks and press agencies. Azikiwe has travelled extensively in South Africa, Namibia and Lesotho. He is also the co-founder of the Michigan Emergency Committee on War & Injustice and the Moratorium Now! Coalition. Azikiwe has been on the MCHR Board of Directors for 12 years and served as chair and president.

The political activism of life long Detroiter Frank Joyce began with the civil rights movement.  He joined the Northern Student Movement (NSM) in the early 1960’s and later helped found People Against Racism (PAR).  He has been in involved in labor, anti-racist, human rights and peace campaigns ever since.

Joyce has chaired the board of The Working Group (TWG), a non-profit media production company that supports the anti-hate movement Not In Our Town (NIOT).

He has worked in factories, retail and media.

Joyce has won awards for his print, radio and television journalism. He is a former News Director of WDET-FM/National Public Radio and was Communications Director for the United Auto Workers union for many years.

In addition, he is a member of the Leadership Team of the National Council Of Elders and the Vietnam Peace Commemoration Committee.

His writing is also published at AlterNet (www.alternet.org) and elsewhere.  He is co-editor with Karin Aguilar-San Juan, of The People Make Peace, Lessons From The Vietnam Anti-War Movement.

Dr. Saeed A. Khan is currently in the Department of Classical and Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Wayne State University, where he teaches courses on Islamic and Middle East History, Politics and Culture, and is also a Research Fellow at Wayne State’s Center for the Study of Citizenship. His area of research is the identity politics of Muslim diaspora communities in the US, UK and Europe. He is also Adjunct Professor in Islamic Studies at the University of Detroit-Mercy and at Rochester College, co-teaching a course on Muslim-Christian Diversity. In addition, he is a founding member and a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Social Policy & Understanding: a Michigan-based Think Tank promoting the study and analysis of US social and domestic policy. Most recently, Saeed has founded the Center for the Study of Trans-Atlantic Diasporas, a think tank and policy center examining and comparing the condition of ethnic immigrant groups in North America and Europe, consulting the US and UK governments and the EU on their respective Muslim communities. He is a regular contributor to C-Span, NPR, Voice of America and the National Press Club, as well as newspapers and other outlets, and is also a consultant on Islamic and Middle East affairs for the BBC and CBC.

Hasan Newash was born in Ein Karem, near Jerusalem. A longtime Detroit area peace with justice activist, Anthropology Ph.D. candidate, and published poet, he is co-founder/ initiator of numerous Arab American /Palestinian organizations, including ACCESS, ADC, Association of Arab American University Graduates (AAUG), Al-Awda, and others. He currently serves on the Coordinating Committee of the Detroit Area Peace with Justice Network (DAPJN), comprised of 30 peace and justice organizations in Michigan. Also, he is Director of the volunteer-driven Michigan Citizens for Palestinian Rights, Palestine Office Michigan, an advocacy organization headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan. Newash frequently lectures on Palestinian rights and recites his and other Palestinian poets’ works in the Detroit/Ann Arbor area.

Hollie is an active participant in her community, church and profession. She volunteered for many years with the Project Compassion Ministries and was a frequent presenter for the Alzheimer’s Speaker’s Bureau in the Alzheimer’s Association of Michigan. She also facilitated an Alzheimer’s Support Group for many years while working as a gerontological clinical nurse specialist.

Hollie is an Assistant Professor and full-time faculty member of the School of Nursing, University of Michigan-Flint. She earned a PhD from Wayne State University in the Urban Health Care track with a double cognate in Anthropology and Sociology. Barbara also holds a Specialist Certificate in Gerontology from the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University.

As a certified nurse practitioner, Hollie’s experience includes primary and specialist services. She has practiced in gerontology, primary care, women’s health and gyn-oncology. Hollie currently practices as a volunteer in the Street Medicine Detroit (SMD) program, precepting nursing and medical students in the provision of health care to the homeless in downtown Detroit.

She is a lifetime member the National Black Nurses Association and the Detroit Black Nurses chapter. In addition, Hollie is a member of Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority; Sigma Theta Tau International/Pi Delta chapter; American Association of Nurse Practitioners; Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners; and the National League for Nursing. She is also an active board member of the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights and supports the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion.

Born and raised in metro Detroit where I attended Royal Oak Shrine grade school and the University of Detroit Jesuit High. I earned my BS from Grand Valley in Public Administration and was also in the Athletic Training curriculum. After 16 years in mortgage banking, I am an aspiring entrepreneur and owner of SBD Ventures, Inc. which is committed to serve and develop sustainable communities through renewable and responsible solutions that empower people to embrace kindness, practice compassion, stand up for justice, and work for the common good.

I am currently working on business opportunities in real estate, banking, senior citizen services, and energy efficiency including LED lighting. I am a supporter and believer in the mission of MCHR promotes awareness of, commitment to, and advocacy for human rights through education, community organization, and action. MCHR opposes forces that suppress human dignity, freedom and justice locally and around the world.

I aspire for my daily actions and interactions to demonstrate concern for the common good. My involvement with MCHR provides engagement in our community to discuss and act on racism, unemployment, sexism, militarism, and economic justice. Participating in MCHR and related organizations that promote human rights is a privilege and responsibility that I embrace.

In the words of our 2017 Dinner key note speaker, Morris Dees, “What a privilege to be here on the planet to contribute your unique donation to humankind. Each face in the rainbow of colors that populate our world is precious and special.”

Tia C. Littlejohn-Taylor The Choice Zone, Founder
➢ Northcentral University, doctoral student
➢ Graduate of University of Michigan, Marygrove College, MA
➢ Minister, Transforming Love Community
➢ Certified Life Coach, Human Service Coordinator
➢ Behavior Interventionist
➢ Social Justice Podcast Panel Member
➢ Non-Profit Community Youth, Board Member
➢ G100 Oneness & Wisdom, Ypsilanti Chair
➢ Michigan Social Justice Network Taskforce, Member
➢ Fun Stuff: Singing, Writing, Acting
➢ Grandmother of 1, Mother of 3 dynamic young adults
➢ Daughter of loving Parents who knew the power of MIND!

After more than 20 years working in executive administrative roles, Tia launched The Choice Zone in 2018 to ignite mental and emotional transformation in others. Accomplishments are realized through a navigational process: 1Choice at a time. Tia’s personal focus is always educating, empowering, and equipping others to access their phenomenal selves, constantly primed to emerge. “Just like the process of birthing a healthy baby, creating your destiny takes two. For every idea, there was an awesome being, coaching me, encouraging me, and confidently agreeing that want I wanted was already manifested. And so, with purposeful imagination, the utmost joy, and enthusiastic love, I CREATE! And I do it again, and again, and again. As I learn more of me, and my connection to all humanity, and nature, I choose to create dynamic, blissful relationships. I’ve traveled to the continent of Africa, zip-lined, and white water-rafted in Costa Rica, immersed myself in Spain, cherished each moment of motherhood, found the treasure of family and friends, learned the value of INTENTION!”

Jesse Cox is a Chicago native, who early on was informed by attending private school during racial upheaval in his Southside community.  This experience shaped his understanding of both racial intolerance and the efforts for racial harmony. Currently he is the director of Campus Ministry at Madonna University.  Before that position he was the Director of Mission Integration and Campus Ministry at Marygrove College. Jesse taught in the Social Justice Master’s Degree Program at Marygrove and served as the instructor for the Practicum requirement.  While at Marygrove he engaged students on Service-Learning trips to Puerto Rico, investigating the devastating effects of nuclear testing off the waters of Vieques, the multiracial heritage of the people and explored the statehood vs. independence question from the people of Puerto Rico.  The group worked with the homeless, tutored children and worked at a local soup kitchen.   At Marygrove, he participated with Social Justice faculty to engage students in the water shut off issue, violence against women, racism, religious oppression and the discrimination against the LGBTQ community.  At Madonna he engages students through Better Together, an interfaith group of faculty, staff and students, who address the issues of racism, sexism, religious intolerance and discrimination against the LGBTQ community. Jesse have been blessed to travel to South Africa, Ghana, Karela State in India, New Zealand, Italy, Spain and France.  He enjoys the rich diversity of cultures and people and feel privileged to engage in dialogue that challenges his assumptions and miseducation. He has a Master of Divinity from Aquinas Institute of Theology and a Master of Theology from Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans.  Currently he is pursuing a Ed. D. degree at Madonna University, investigating the cause and effect of the Education gap in poor and minority communities.

Anisah Hashmi is medical student at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine where she serves on the board of Queers and Allies, American Medical Women’s Association, and Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group helping shape curriculum on food justice, trauma stewardship, domestic violence, and LGBTQ patient care. She also cofounded an organization on mental health advocacy which regularly hosts trainings for future physicians on emotional intelligence and communication skills. During the coronavirus pandemic, Hashmi helped pioneer mycovidresponse.org, an Oakland county-based mutual aid organization, focused on delivering 90,000+ meals/week, offering mental health services, tutoring, and other social support services to thousands in need. Beyond medicine, Hashmi has co-facilitated MCHR’s Michigan Freedom Tour for the past 3 summers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies, French, and Arabic. Hashmi has devoted much of her time to social justice work, with a 5-year background in union-organizing, immigrant rights, voter empowerment, and journalism through past jobs at the League of Women Voters, UAW, AFL-CIO, Arab American Family Association, and Altmuslimah.com.

Marge Sears was born and raised in Detroit. Marge holds a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education and a Master’s degree from UDM in religious studies. Marge has worked as a high school teacher and teacher in an adolescent substance abuse center, Campus Minister and Director of Center for Faith and Action for adults at UD High. Additionally, Marge is a wife, mother of 3 and grandmother of 7 incredible grandchildren who are the joy of her life. Marge served as the Executive Program Coordinator for MCHR for close to 20 years and officially retired in May 2020 from her role. Marge’s interest in social justice has focused mainly on civil rights and racism/white privilege as well as anti-war work. She is a member of Gesu Parish and their Peace and Justice Team, which is one of the most active in the Detroit diocese. Marge loves travel, gardening, cooking, photography and folk music, which bring balance to her life. She has also authored a women’s ritual book.

Chantelle Yancy is the current Supervisor for Educational Equity, Inclusion, and Community Relations for the Troy School District (TSD). She has been a part of the Troy community since 2017 and is grateful to serve the district she calls home as a parent advocate, community activist, and now Troy administrator. Prior to her role as DEI Supervisor for TSD, she spent twelve years working in non-profit, with the last four of those years, focusing on social justice, advocacy, community mobilizing and education work as the Executive Director for the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights. Additionally, she has experience working in higher education and providing non-traditional instruction to K-12 students. Chantelle has a B.A. in English and Political Science, M.A. in Social Justice, and is a current doctoral candidate, finishing up her Public Policy and Administration degree program.