A child of Detroit’s west side, Charity Dean learned early on that, in order for people to heal, you must start by healing the systems in which they exist.

Charity earned a BA in political science from Oakland University, followed by a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, where she currently works as an adjunct professor.

During her time as an attorney, she founded Dean Law and Consulting, a firm committed to serving Detroit’s most disenfranchised areas through education, advocacy, and strategic mentorship.

Living proof that economic development is possible even in blighted areas, she’s also the founder of the popular Grandmont/Rosedale neighborhood coffee shop Rosa.

Charity Dean’s work is deeply rooted in uplifting a new generation of Black female leaders in Detroit – those who, like her, believe in building up the same communities that view them as positive leaders.

A beacon of change, Charity has always understood that proper infrastructure is necessary to foster equity, and her legal career has always been intricately intertwined with her public service work.

In 2019, Charity was appointed to the Michigan Women’s Commission by Governor Whitmer, and in 2020, she was named Crain’s Detroit 40 under 40 for her role in leading the City of Detroit’s small business response at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether she’s advancing policies that support women’s rights, helping rising business owners and entrepreneurs better understand the tenets of economic independence and leadership, or practicing law, Charity Dean brings her all to each and every role she fills.

She is not just another advocate for the city of Detroit’s advancement.

She’s one of the core forces behind the creation of the very systems that will support it.

Victoria Jackson (Editor In Chief)

Victoria Jackson is a lifelong student and sharp-eyed documentarian of all things Detroit, from its rich musical roots and cultural icons to its shifting neighborhoods, storied architecture, and underground legends. With her finger firmly on the pulse of both the city’s vibrant past and its rapidly unfolding future, she brings a deeply personal, historically grounded lens to every piece she writes.

Published on: September 29, 2025