Eastern Michigan University (EMU) alumni Daivon Reeder is taking the skills he learned from his studies at EMU and applying them to his current run for Detroit City Council.
The roots of Reeder taking in the needs of his community and making change are evident in his years at EMU.
While attending EMU, Reeder responded to declining retention among his fellow students by founding the peer-to-peer mentoring non-profit program, The Nation, Inc., with four friends.
In reference to his time at EMU, Reeder says that it helped shape him to be the person he is today. Reeder highlights how his studies helped him learn and grow from mistakes, gave him the opportunity to meet new people, as well as connecting him to other EMU alumni who also make up his campaign team.
“Being able to become that person I am today and understanding the need for change and the need to be an advocate and need to speak up when things are going west or wrong or when injustices are happening...that’s what Eastern provided me,” Reeder said.
Reeder’s also served seven years in the United States Army. During his service, Reeder learned discipline, and he came back to his hometown in the Eastside of Detroit with the goal of making a difference. Reeder’s motivation to give back to the people that had helped him while growing up in the Eastside is what led him to run for city council to help make change for the residents of District 4 and all of Detroit.
In his campaign platform, Reeder focuses on equitable housing, revitalizing the economy, enhancing the safety of neighborhoods, and environmental and climate justice. As a District 4 native, Reeder’s platform takes heavily into consideration what the people of Detroit want. Reeder even expressed that he developed his main campaign platforms in response to what he heard from his friends and neighbors.
Reeder emphasizes greatly that what he believes is most important for the city of Detroit and its citizens is the presentation of the culture and the voice of the citizens. Reeder’s goal is to be a voice for the people, representing them and their needs not only for district 4 but for all of Detroit.
“I think that we need to make sure that we are including our citizens in the decision-making process, both hearing their voices and also in planning,” Reeder said. “We need to plan how will this impact our citizens, how will this make the quality of life better for our citizens. Are we developing for our current citizens? Development is great, but development is not great when it causes displacement. And that’s something we need to address. We need to address, are we promoting a new Detroit, a better Detroit, for Detroiters.”
Kyra L. Mitchell, Reeder’s campaign manager, is a fellow EMU alumnus and a friend of Reeder. Mitchell has always had an interest in what she calls the political arena and as campaign manager, she loves seeing being a part of the behind-the-scenes that go into supporting Reeder’s campaign.
Mitchell supports Reeder’s campaign because of his platform and also his emphasis on being an example of younger individuals using their voice to make a change in their communities. Mitchell hopes that residents would consider supporting or voting for Reeder because he would be the perfect candidate to help meet the changes in politics that many residents may be advocating for.
Mitchell also supports Reeder because she believes unlike some politicians, Reeder will advocate for the needs of the people over personal interest or outside influences.
“He’s not one of those people that will act because someone told him to, he’s doing what he believes is best for the district and the residents of that district and the changes that residents want to see,” Mitchell said. “Which I think is important when you vote for a candidate cause they’re representing you, you want them to actually represent your best interests and he’s the perfect candidate for that.”
A campaign kickoff will be held on May 18 at 6:30 P.M. To learn more about Reeder’s campaign, his platform, and to join the campaign kickoff, visit his campaign website.
The primary election for Detroit City Council will be held on August 3. Residents can vote with either a requested absentee ballot or in person at their local polling location. Residents may be able to request an absentee ballot starting on Thursday, May 20.
