Meet Our Founder & Executive Director
Myya D. Jones, MBA
Myya Jones, MBA, Miss Black Michigan USA 2023, is an esteemed activist hailing from Detroit, MI, renowned for her exceptional contributions to the realms of business and public service. She has garnered widespread recognition, including being honored as AT&T's Inaugural #DreamInBlack Future Maker, a recipient of the NBCBLK 28 Under 28 accolade, and Social Activist of the Year by her esteemed Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Myya's compelling journey is showcased in the award-winning documentary, Represent, which chronicles her historic campaign as the youngest mayoral candidate in Detroit's history.
Passionate about empowering marginalized communities, Myya employs her numerous platforms, including music, to initiate vital dialogues on acquiring resources for advancing underserved communities. She has become a beacon of inspiration for people of color, women, and youth, igniting their drive for social activism and entrepreneurship.
As the driving force behind "Do Good Detroit," Myya envisions a vibrant, inclusive future where generations unite to cultivate essential life skills, curb violence, and foster a harmonious community. Through innovative initiatives in civic education, servant leadership, social engagement, social responsibility, and tech empowerment, she empowers individuals to make positive choices, find purpose, and contribute to a safer, more peaceful Detroit. With an unwavering commitment to bridging gaps and promoting intergenerational collaboration, Myya's mission is to create an environment where individuals of all backgrounds can thrive and contribute to the collective well-being of the community.
Myya's Youth
From a young age, Myya grasped the value of community involvement, quality education, and financial responsibility through her active participation in organizations such as the Police Athletic League (PAL), buildOn, and the 4-H Club. She dedicated herself to numerous volunteer projects, including the Boys and Girls Club, Greening of Detroit, Gleaners Food Bank, and Life Remodeled. Even as a beneficiary of charitable organizations, Myya prioritized giving back, shaping her into the compassionate and devoted servant leader she is today.
Myya's Education
Despite facing numerous life challenges, Myya refused to let the sting of poverty and her family's reliance on government assistance dictate her destiny. She candidly shares her struggles and triumphs, shedding light on mental health in her powerful essay, "We Need to Start Talking about Mental Health," published in the Huffington Post. After completing her education, Myya returned to her beloved Detroit, determined to enact meaningful change fueled by her unwavering love for her hometown.
Myya's educational journey includes notable institutions such as Cass Technical High School, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University, which have provided her with a solid foundation for her endeavors.
Myya's Career
During business hours, Myya utilizes her expertise to develop sustainable and impactful advertising strategies for companies seeking to scale with Google Ads. In addition to her core role, she spearheads several initiatives that grant businesses and nonprofits access to free resources provided by Google, including over $1 million in ad grants to empower and uplift Black and brown lives. As a DEI leader on Google's Black+ Advisory Board, Myya actively collaborates in creating solutions that celebrate inclusivity, drive equitable outcomes, champion cultural transformation, and advance allyship.
Myya's Love For Detroit
Through both triumphs and tribulations, Myya's unwavering love for her city remains steadfast. Her optimistic approach to life has allowed her to utilize her experiences growing up in Detroit as the bedrock of her advocacy for fair and comprehensive policies. A tireless pursuer of personal and professional growth, Myya seizes opportunities that further her development as an emerging force in business and politics. Her foreign language studies and extensive travels have provided her with a global perspective, enabling her to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds, exercise critical thinking, solve complex problems, and exhibit exemplary thought leadership. Her unwavering dedication to excellence has earned her a reputation for delivering impactful results.
Myya's Activism & Resilience
Beyond her professional endeavors, Myya selflessly volunteers as a community organizer with the Church of the Messiah, championing various issues, including economic justice, equitable education, mass incarceration, human sex trafficking, affordable housing, food access, and gun violence. During her remarkable journey, she founded "Young Empire Detroit" and "Young People for Black Lives," organizations aimed at eradicating poverty through youth entrepreneurship and cultivating the next generation of community leaders, respectively.
Myya's resilience embodies the true spirit of a Detroiter. Drawing from her life experiences and profound global perspective, she has returned to Detroit, eager to broaden her impact through the transformative power of "Do Good Detroit." Her personal mantra, "Believe that you can and you're halfway there," serves as a guiding light, inspiring individuals to surmount adversity and achieve their life goals.
