Mary Blackmon is the type of person you remember. She is quiet, but assertive; passionate, but composed; laid back, but tenacious; a warrior who is full of grace.
I have known Mary for over 20 years and feel her protective cape around me at all times. She encourages people to be their best selves, which may explain how she became a champion for students in Wayne County and across the region and state. She is a public servant who is committed to educational equity, social justice, and expanding opportunities for students and the broader community.
Background
Although she was born in Newton, Mississippi, Mary is a Detroiter. Her family moved to the Motor City when she was two. She comes from a close-knit family as the lone daughter among six brothers. Her mother took care of the family while her father held three jobs – working at a Ford factory, as a milkman, and as a furniture salesman. He was her role model, and she inherited his work ethic and advocacy skills from their daily debate sessions. He would ask her to defend her positions on issues and consider different viewpoints. She continues his legacy of multi-tasking, thoughtful engagement, and making a difference.
Education and Career
Mary grew up in Northwest Detroit and is a proud product of Detroit Public Schools. She graduated from Mumford High School where she excelled academically and in sports: running and hockey. Mary studied concert singing for many years with the dream of being an opera singer. She studied music at the Detroit Institute of Musical Arts and served as Choir Director for her church for 40 years. However, she decided she wanted to stay in Detroit and pursued a career in business and public service. She began a long career at AT&T starting as an Operator in 1955 and retiring as Director of Public Affairs in 1990. A lifelong learner, she attended various advanced training programs through the company including at the University of Michigan. One of her positions was in HR, where she hired personnel for offices in Detroit. She saw many young people could not pass their English and Math tests and encouraged them to study and re-apply. This interest in helping young people led her to run for her first elected position as a trustee for Detroit Public Schools (DPS) in 1978.
Serving the Community
Mary’s commitment to public service began with education, when she successfully ran as a candidate for the Detroit Public Schools Board. She defeated ten other candidates by connecting with the faith-based community and labor organizations through her platform of supporting young people. She continued on the DPS board for 10 years – 1978-1988. In this time, she also represented DPS on the Wayne County Intermediate School District (now known as Wayne RESA). She was elected to the first of six terms in 1982 and continues to serve today. In this time, she has been instrumental in appointing five superintendents – each of whom has strengthened the influence of Wayne RESA as a leader in regional educational services. She has enormous respect for all of them.
Young people are Mary’s inspiration: Her goal, for as long as she can remember, has been to,
Provide a vital community with viable options to make sure that young people reach their true potential, by removing impediments.
While education was her focus, she also wanted to help improve the communities in which students live. Mary’s connection with SEMCOG began when she represented Wayne RESA at SEMCOG. Her interest in all things regional led to her active participation on the Executive Committee for more than twenty-five years. In 2008, she was appointed the 40th Chairperson of SEMCOG.
She values SEMCOG for:
Elevating thinking to maximize opportunities and providing leadership in collaboration and cooperation, rather than competition… and growing the region by elevating what we do best and helping to grow understanding between people through task forces and committees, which help people hear different perspectives.
She appreciates SEMCOG for helping to “make me wiser and appreciative of different people in the region.” She also appreciates having education being elevated in SEMCOG and promoting Detroit within the region and across the country.
Mary is also a board member of Metropolitan Affairs Coalition (MAC), – SEMCOG’s sister organization. She joined the board while SEMCOG Chair but has stayed on as an active member while also serving on the selection committee for the annual MAC /Free Press Shining Light Awards Program for Regional Cooperation. She appreciates the high level conversations and being in contact with people on issues affecting quality of life in the region.
In addition to these organizations, Mary serves on the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) Board of Commissioners. She was originally appointed by former Detroit Mayor Coleman Young in 1989 as the first woman on the commission and was reappointed by several Detroit mayors. She has served for 32 years in a number of positions including Chairperson several times and is currently the Vice Chair. She also serves on various DWSD committees. In addition, Mary has been active in the NAACP and served as the co-chair of the NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner in 1991. She also serves on the Executive Committee of the 13th Congressional District.
Mary says that she participates in these different organizations because “there are many challenges in the region and I can’t criticize from the sidelines…I have to be part of the solution.” Mary considers the Regional Ambassador Award as the highest point of her career after serving as SEMCOG Chairperson. It is “one of the most exciting things that has happened to me” and something she never expected she would even be considered for. I count myself among many who are, in fact, not surprised. Mary is as inspiring to me today as she was twenty years ago, and I am convinced she has much more to contribute to the region, our communities, and our schools.
Leave a Reply