Teferi Brent

Teferi Brent is a lifelong Detroiter and proud resident of the historic Northend community, widely respected as a servant leader, community advocate, and national voice for justice and equity. A graduate of Highland Park High School, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Business Administration from the historic Baker College Center for Graduate Studies. He later pursued theological education at Ecumenical Theological Seminary, studying Pastoral Ministry and Divinity.

After retiring from Chrysler Corporation following 13 years of service, Teferi served as a Community Reintegration Coordinator for Goodwill Industries’ nationally recognized Flip the Script Male Empowerment and Prisoner Reentry Programs. With over 30 years of experience in activism and community leadership, he has trained, mentored, and coached organizers and advocates across the country, particularly within criminal justice reform efforts.

Teferi serves on numerous boards and commissions, including Detroit’s Community Education Commission, DPSCD Police Oversight Board, Detroit’s Returning Citizen Taskforce, and Detroit’s Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce. He is a founder or co-founder of several organizations dedicated to peace and justice, including Detroit 300, the Detroit Urban Peace and Justice Institute, and Dignity 4 Detroit.

A recipient of more than 50 local and national awards, Teferi was recently appointed to the Governor’s Black Leadership Advisory Council, where he serves as Chair of the Community Safety and Justice Committee. He is the proud father of five children and remains deeply committed to faith, family, and community.