'Jeremiah Is Young, But He Is Powerful': Detroit Graduation Shoutout

DETROIT, MI — Graduation is a major milestone and deserves to be celebrated! That's why Patch and T-Mobile have teamed up to recognize our community's outstanding 2024 graduates.

This submission comes from Anquenetta Jones who nominated Jeremiah of Detroit.

Graduate’s name

Jeremiah

What grade is the graduate finishing?

Bachelor's Degree

What school is your graduating student graduating from?

University of Detroit Mercy

How do you know your graduating student nominee?

The nominee is the Executive Director of an organization on whose board I serve.

Tell us why they deserve to be nominated!

Jeremiah Steen ensures that all of his work is centered around equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and justice. Specifically, he has:

• In 2018, Jeremiah was the youngest Jane Goodall Roots and Shoots Fund II National Fellow, which provided him with the opportunity to work with Jane Goodall and strategically design systems to amplify youth voice in policy development;
• In 2018, Jeremiah realized that adults were constantly planning events for youth without seeking youth advise or consult, so he started the Steen Foundation with the goal of investing in the aspirations of young people using the Critical Youth Theory Model. This approach to grant-making ensures that youth remain at the front-lines when maintaining their narrative, and are actively implementing equitable solutions to issues that directly impact them;
• In 2022, Jeremiah was the youngest speaker to present at the Mackinac Policy Conference— in the conference's history, to urge Michigan to include youth in systems change;
• In 2022, Jeremiah became a BMe Vanguard, which is a global black leadership network. This opportunity gave him the expertise to train organizations on the importance of asset framing, which ensures when engaging communities — especially of color that we highlight their assets not deficits; and
• In 2022, the Steen Foundation in partnership with the Skillman Foundation developed and executed the Gen-Z Design Sessions, which allow Detroit Youth the ability to advise leaders of major organizations— Detroit Piston, Sterling Heights Chamber of Commerce, Detroit Horse Power, City of Detroit’s Neighborhood Department, and develop implementable strategies that will impact the future of their organization.
• Jeremiah Steen leverages his resources to advance connections, support peers and provide the necessary tools to maximize the potential of others. Specifically, he has:
• The Steen Foundation has provided over $25,000 over 4 years to Michigan’s youth during an annual 4 Hour Mural Challenge, which allows 4 high school and college age youth to paint on a 30 x 30 inch canvas based on a theme selected by a group of youth advisors. The winner receives a stipend, additional prizes and their art piece is donated to a local non-profit(Ex. Detroit Zoo);
• Jeremiah serves on the Nonprofit Relief Fund Advisory Board for the Michigan Nonprofit Association, which allows him to advocate for the allocation of over $35M to youth-lead and community centered organizations and projects;
• The Steen Foundation has provided over 100 youth with paid internships and fellowships in conservation and arts and culture that is tailored to their aspirations; and
• Jeremiah serves on the Advisory Board for the Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit Plus(KIP:D+), which allows him to advocate for the allocation of over $1M to youth-lead organizations and projects.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about your graduating student nominee?

Jeremiah has an unwavering commitment to service, advocacy and justice for all residents in Michigan— especially youth. He is constantly finding new ways to amplify youth voice across multiple industries and support the mobilization of youth power—especially in the philanthropic ecosystem.

He is the Co-Founder of the trademarked phrase Critical Youth Theory— the intentional resistance of a set of ideas that have historically and culturally stopped young people from holding positions of power by inspiring true innovation and ethical action with a lasting impact. Jeremiah is young, but he is powerful and I urge you to consider him for the Patch Grad Award.

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Congratulations on your achievements, and all of our best wishes to you in the future, Jeremiah!

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.

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