Among the diverse and dynamic slate of candidates, three Black women—Mary Sheffield, Saunteel Jenkins, and DaNetta Simpson—are making history as they vie for the city’s highest office. Their candidacies represent not only a break from tradition but also a moment of reflection and possibility for a city long shaped by Black leadership, resilience, and culture.
Detroit, historically the nation’s largest majority-Black city, continues to be a political bellwether for urban America. However, despite its rich legacy of Black political power, the city has never elected a Black woman as mayor. That could change in 2025.
Mary Sheffield: Policy-Driven and Community-Rooted
Mary Sheffield, the current President of the Detroit City Council, brings a progressive and community-first approach to her campaign. The daughter of civil rights activist Horace Sheffield, she has long advocated for economic justice, equitable development, and systemic reform.
Sheffield’s platform is bold: she proposes restructuring Detroit’s property tax system by implementing a land value tax to reduce speculation and vacancy. She’s also advocating for more affordable housing, investment in underserved neighborhoods, and increased transparency in government budgeting. Her experience as a legislator and community organizer gives her both the policy chops and the grassroots credibility that resonate with Detroiters eager for inclusive growth and equitable opportunity.
Saunteel Jenkins: The Bridge Between Policy and People
Saunteel Jenkins, a former Detroit City Council President and current nonprofit executive, brings a unique blend of governmental experience and nonprofit leadership to the race. Her campaign emphasizes health equity, education, and transportation access.
Jenkins is proposing the creation of “education hubs” throughout the city to address digital literacy, adult education, and workforce development. She also supports expanding mental health services and improving regional transportation infrastructure. Her background positions her as a pragmatic leader capable of uniting various sectors—public, private, and nonprofit—for cohesive solutions to long-standing issues.
DaNetta Simpson: The Grassroots Advocate
DaNetta Simpson, a retired cosmetologist and recurring political candidate, has long been a passionate voice for Detroit’s underserved communities. As the niece of Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad, her campaign draws on a legacy of Black empowerment and faith-based activism.
Simpson’s platform focuses on neighborhood stabilization and community safety. She supports transforming vacant properties, developing deteriorated homes, and establishing gun-free zones in high-crime areas. Though not backed by significant political infrastructure, Simpson’s message of community control, justice, and safety continues to find support among residents seeking grassroots change.
The Bigger Picture
The potential election of a Black woman to lead Detroit would be a historic milestone for a city whose identity is deeply tied to the civil rights movement, Black labor organizing, and cultural innovation. While previous mayors like Coleman Young and Kwame Kilpatrick made national headlines as barrier-breaking leaders, the absence of a woman in the city’s top job is notable.
Beyond representation, these candidates bring vision and solutions to Detroit’s pressing issues—housing affordability, public safety, economic development, and generational equity. Their platforms reflect the concerns of residents who want to see transformation that’s both bold and rooted in lived experience.
As Detroit approaches a pivotal mayoral election, voters will decide not just who will lead the city, but how it will be led. The presence of Mary Sheffield, Saunteel Jenkins, and DaNetta Simpson on the ballot speaks to a broader shift in power and potential in one of America’s most iconic cities.
