Preceded by Saunteel Jenkins Name Janee Ayers Political party Democratic Role Politician | Profession Labor union leader Party Democratic Party Website Official website | |
Born October 10, 1981 (age 42)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S. ( 1981-10-10 ) Alma mater Bowling Green State University Education Bowling Green State University | ||
Council Corner Janee Ayers Fair Chance Ordinance
Janeé L. Ayers (born October 10, 1981) is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. In 2015, Ayers was appointed to Detroit City Council as an at large member after the resignation of Saunteel Jenkins, and elected for the remainder of the term on November 8th, 2016.
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Background
Janeé Ayers was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 10, 1981. Her mother Shirlene, is a retired Detroit Public Schools teacher and Detroit American Federation of Teachers (DFT) member. She has four siblings, three of whom are school teachers in the Greater Metro Detroit area.
Ayers grew up in North Rosedale Park on the city’s Northwest side and graduated from Renaissance High School. She went on to attend Bowling Green State University and earned her degree in Political Science and Public Policy in 2003.
Before being appointed to city council, Ayers worked for the Detroit Recreation Department and was a high school teacher for Detroit Public Schools teaching science at Millennium High School until its closing in 2007. During this time she was a member of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Ayers, an active union member since 1999, then focused her attention to the labor community and started working at MGM Grand Detroit. She joined UNITE HERE! Local 24, was elected recording secretary, and quickly became the youngest officer on the bargaining team. A few short years later, she was elected Vice President of the Metro Detroit AFL-CIO.
Political career
After the resignation of Saunteel Jenkins, Detroit City Council entered a long appointment process to fill the at large seat. Over 135 Detroit residents applied for the position, including former State representatives, a Wayne County Commissioner and multiple former city council candidates. From this pool, Ayers was nominated by Council President Brenda Jones and Council Member Gabe Leland to advance to a round of 17 candidates who were publicly interviewed. At the end of a lengthy voting process, Ayers was appointed to City Council on February 17, 2015 by a supermajority vote of 6-2.
Committee assignments
Ayers is a member of the following City Council committees:
Electoral history
Awards and other honors
- 2016 Michigan Chronicle Woman of Excellence