Events
Celebrating Six Years of Strength and Legacy, Sister’s S.W.A.E. returns with unmatched elegance, empowerment, and community. This years event will be unisex. Yes ladies, please bring your significant others, fathers, brothers and sons in their best suits and hats! Join us for the premier event of the year—an experience not to be missed.
#SisterSwae6 #EmpoweredElegance #DontMissIt
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6th Annual Tea Fundraiser Beneficiaries
Raising awareness. Raising funds. Building better futures.
This year, Sister’s S.W.A.E. continues its tradition of empowerment and community. This year we will benefit TWO mentoring programs: S.T.Y.L.E (Sisters Teaching Young Ladies Excellence) girls mentoring program and K.I.N.D (Kids In Need of Direction) boys mentoring program. Both programs provide support, services, and opportunities for youth empowerment, education and community service.
Girls mentoring program
S.T.Y.L.E (Sisters Teaching Young Ladies Excellence)
S.T.Y.L.E. recognizes the inherent value in every individual.
Their goal is to act as a catalyst for positive change, driven by the principles of support, empowerment, and progress since our inception.
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The mission of S.T.Y.L.E. is to create a safe environment toward empowering middle and high school-aged females.
S.T.Y.L.E supports young ladies by connecting them with a diverse group of professional women to assist with building positive and productive relationships resulting in embracing sisterhood
6th Annual Tea Fundraiser Panel & Special Guests
Excellence personified in dedication and action.
This year's event will focus on bridging the gap! With a unisex space to discuss the needs of our young men and women growing up and how we can bridge the gap to support them to a successful future! Join us for an uplifting message and an open discussion between the generations that will challenge what we think we know and push us towards impactful change in our communities.
Master of Ceremony
Our emcee beams with hometown pride and enjoys giving back to the community he grew up in uplifting the voices of our youth, families and the goodness of Detroit.
Jay Smith
Anchor & Reporter, WDIV Local 4 News (NBC Detroit) Founder, JSS Media Group, LLC​
Jay Scott Smith is an award‑winning journalist, Detroit native, and one of the most dynamic voices in modern broadcasting. With more than two decades of experience across television, radio, digital media, and national news platforms, Jay brings a rare blend of professionalism, charisma, and cultural fluency to every stage he steps onto. A proud son of Detroit’s Rosedale Park community, Jay has built a career rooted in truth‑telling, storytelling, and elevating the voices of everyday people. His work has taken him from Detroit to Philadelphia to national newsrooms, earning him multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards, Associated Press honors, and recognition as one of the most versatile journalists of his generation. Today, Jay serves as an Anchor & Reporter for WDIV Local 4 News, where he covers breaking news, community stories, justice issues, and the heartbeat of Detroit with depth, empathy, and authenticity. His presence on‑air is matched only by his presence in the community — as a mentor, speaker, media educator, and advocate for ethical storytelling. A graduate of Renaissance High School, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University, Jay is also a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., SAG‑AFTRA, and the National Association of Black Journalists. As the Master of Ceremony for the Sister’s S.W.A.E. Experience on August 8th, Jay brings his signature blend of warmth, wit, and professionalism — guiding the audience through an unforgettable afternoon of empowerment, elegance, and sisterhood. His commitment to community uplift aligns seamlessly with Sister’s S.W.A.E.’s mission to inspire, educate, and elevate the next generation.
Opening Speaker
Demetrius Starling
Human Services Program Officer – The Kresge Foundation
Demetrius Starling serves as the Human Services Program Officer at The Kresge Foundation, where he advances racial equity and multi‑generational opportunity for families and communities across the nation. Before joining Kresge, Starling spent over 25 years transforming Michigan’s child welfare system, ultimately serving as Senior Deputy Director of the Children’s Services Administration. His leadership shaped statewide efforts in prevention, foster care, adoption, juvenile justice, fatherhood initiatives, kinship care, and human trafficking response. Starling has been appointed to numerous state and national boards, including the Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect, the National Advisory Board for the ABA Center on Children and the Law, and the National Partnership for Child Safety. He is also a graduate of the prestigious Sankofa Institute and a 2024 Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow. A lifelong advocate for children and families, Starling’s work centers on equity, safety, and strengthening communities — values deeply aligned with Sister’s S.W.A.E.’s mission to uplift and empower the next generation.
Panel Members
This panel brings together voices rooted in service, advocacy, and community love. Their stories and wisdom strengthen the mission of Sister’s S.W.A.E.
Sharea Ayers
Chief Operating Officer- Black Leaders Detroit
Sharea Ayers is a respected community advocate, educator, counselor, and entrepreneur whose work reflects a lifelong commitment to Detroit’s growth and collective empowerment. A proud graduate of Renaissance High School, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Science from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Arts from Michigan State University. She is also an alumna of Leadership Detroit Class 44 and the New Leaders Council, further grounding her leadership in service and civic responsibility.
Chris Scott
Founder/CEO, Positive Thought Solutions, LLC
Chris Scott is a Detroit-born dual engineer, award‑winning author, and leadership speaker dedicated to strengthening emotional intelligence in our communities. As the Founder and CEO of Positive Thought Solutions, LLC, he equips students, professionals, and emerging leaders with the mindset tools needed to rise, rebuild, and lead with purpose. With degrees in Electrical Engineering, an MBA, and a Master’s in Automotive Systems Engineering, Chris has contributed to groundbreaking innovations in autonomous vehicles, armor design, and high‑performance computing. His excellence has earned recognition from the U.S. Army, Detroit Young Professionals, the University of Michigan, and the prestigious Black Engineer of the Year Award. At the heart of Chris’s mission is service. Through coaching, training, and motivational speaking, he empowers individuals to unlock their potential and transform their lives from the inside out — a mission deeply aligned with Sister’s S.W.A.E.’s commitment to emotional wellness, leadership, and community elevation.
Jerjuan Howard
Director of Youth Affairs, City of Detroit/ Founder Umoja Debate League & Village / Founder Howard Family Book Store
Jerjuan is the Founder of the Umoja Debate League, the creator of Umoja Village, and the owner of the Howard Family Bookstore, all based in his childhood neighborhood in Detroit. These initiatives reflect his dedication to uplifting the city through education, empowerment, and revitalization. The Howard Family Bookstore will serve as a hub for literacy, learning, and creativity, integrating technology like virtual reality to inspire visitors with a vision of Detroit’s past, present, and future. It will provide a welcoming space for community members to gather, grow, and connect. Through the Umoja Debate League, Jerjuan uses competitive debate as a vehicle to teach Detroit youth transferable life skills, including critical thinking, confidence, and conflict resolution. Umoja’s vision is to create a pipeline for future lawyers, leaders, and changemakers. Additionally, Umoja Village, once a blighted space, now stands as a vibrant community resource with gardens, art installations, and a perf stage. Jerjuan has served in the United States Army National Guard as an Information Technology Specialist, earning the Army Achievement Medal. Jerjuan graduated from Western Michigan University in December 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, where I also served as President of the Black Student Union. Jerjuan authored A Message to Black College Students, a book that inspires college students to use their talents to uplift their communities and embody the change they want to see in the world.
Our Special Guest
We are honored to highlight the distinguished leaders, visionaries, and community champions whose work uplifts, empowers, and inspires. Each of these remarkable individuals brings a legacy of service, excellence, and purpose to the Sister’s S.W.A.E. Experience. Their bios are shared below.
Velma Jean Overman
Velma Jean Overman is a woman whose life stands as a testament to what one willing heart, guided by faith, justice, and compassion, can accomplish. Armed with a deep desire to lift the burdens of the poor, advocate for the socially marginalized, and extend compassion to all humanity, she has spent decades serving as a powerful voice for those too often unheard. After 30 years of exemplary service at Ford Motor Company, Velma transitioned into full‑time community engagement — expanding the activism and advocacy she had already carried for years. Her retirement became a launching pad for her life’s mission: to serve, to uplift, and to stand in the gap for her community. Motivated by the love of God and a relentless commitment to improving the lives of others, Velma serves in an extraordinary range of leadership roles, including: LARA Board of Directors — Appointed by Governor Whitmer (2020–2028) Executive 12th Congressional District Democratic Party Organization Western Wayne County NAACP — 1st Vice Chair City of Inkster — Elected Precinct Delegate, District 5 Michigan State Conference NAACP — Chair of Religious Affairs Christ Temple City of Refuge Inkster — Pastor of Outreach Operation Refuge — Executive Director Starfish Family Services — Board of Directors Inkster Ministerial Alliance — Executive Board Secretary Western Wayne Family Health Center — Executive Board Detroit Public Television — Advisory Board Member Inkster Task Force — Executive Board Member Inkster Police & Fire Pension Commission — Commissioner Wayne County Sheriff’s Department — Chaplain Dearborn Rotary — Member LAHC — Board Member Velma’s integrity, authenticity, and unwavering concern for her fellow man shine through every role she holds. Her presence brings comfort, her leadership brings clarity, and her compassion brings hope. Because of this, she is widely regarded as a trusted minister, a sought‑after speaker, and a beloved friend to many across the region. Her life continues to demonstrate that when an ordinary woman places her gifts in the hands of an extraordinary God, extraordinary impact follows.
Scholarship Opportunity
This year we are proud to announce that we will provide 2 scholarships to deserving students! For more information and to apply please visit our Sister's S.W.A.E Scholarship page!
Sponsorships
This year, Sister’s S.W.A.E. is inviting local businesses and community organizations to sponsor giveaways for our young ladies, helping us surprise them with amazing gifts that celebrate their achievements; for details, please contact us directly via phone or email, and to explore sponsorship opportunities, visit our Events page and select Purchase Tickets to view our Platinum, Gold, and Silver packages.