Kelly Garrett
Ms. Kelly Garrett currently serves as Mayor of Lathrup Village, making her the first African American in the position. Prior to her ascension to Mayor, Ms. Garrett was Mayor Pro tem from 2013 to 2017. In addition to her work within Lathrup Village as a public servant, Ms. Garrett also serves as the Chair/President of the Southfield Lathrup Democratic Club, and the Vice Chair of the Oakland County Democratic Party. Making a difference in the community has always been a priority.
Ms. Garrett focuses on helping people that are perceived to have no voice. As such, she led the fight for earned paid sick days straight to the Michigan State House of Representatives to testify as to why earn paid sick days are not a luxury but a sincere need for Michiganders. She has been vocal about women and children’s right which earned her the position as President of the national non-profit Mothering Justice.
Ms. Garrett passionately believes every sick child and their families should be treated with dignity and respect. Recognizing that the focus should be on informing the public and addressing childhood diseases early on, there is a possibility of decreasing problematic adult health issues. She served on the Family-Centered Care Advisory Council at Children’s Hospital of Michigan and currently on the Subsidiary Advisory Board for Community Health at St. John/Ascension Hospital
Ms. Garrett has dedicated herself to the professional and educational development of youth in and around her community. She has given a multitude of motivational addresses at various educational establishments. These establishments include: Pontiac High School in Pontiac, MI, Harrison High School in Farmington Hills, MI, Berkley High School in Berkley, Michigan and at Martin Luther King, Finney, Renaissance and Mumford High School in Detroit, MI to name a few. Ms. Garrett also delivered the keynote address at Wayne State University for The Golden Key International Honour Society Induction ceremony; while also becoming an honorary inductee based on her leadership and service in the community.
Ms. Garrett has received numerous awards during her political career. The awards include the WONder Woman Award from the Women Officials Network, the 2014 Michigan Chronicle Woman of Excellence Award and the National Congress of Black Women – Oakland County Chapter, the Woman Pioneer of Distinction Award. Most recently she was honored by the Women’s Campaign School of Yale University for leadership.
Ms. Garrett holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Rochester College and a Master of Information Systems from University of Phoenix. In addition to her many charitable and legislative commitments, her biggest accomplishment is her son.
