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Detroit is more than a city:
It’s the hum of the assembly line, the bass line of Motown, the cheer that follows a rebound, and the ingenuity of a new generation ripping something new out of the mud.
The last 25 years have seen Detroiters remake industries, mobilize entire movements, and reshape what it means to be from the 313.
Here are 10 of the biggest names to sprout out of Detroit in the last quarter century – leaders, creators, and trailblazers whose influence reaches well outside the city that made them.
1. Dan Gilbert: The Billionaire Who Bet on Detroit
While many outsiders wrote Detroit off when the city filed for bankruptcy in 2013, business mogul Dan Gilbert saw an opportunity: Quicken Loans.
He moved thousands of jobs downtown and bought and renovated more than 100 properties.
Critics note that while Gilbert’s investments certainly weren’t enough to outright fix Detroit, his billions redefined downtown all the same.
Gilbert turned blight into opportunity – and helped Detroiters have a stronger vision of what their city could become.
2. Mary Barra: The Woman Driving the Future of GM
When most people think of Detroit, they think cars – and Mary Barra has changed how the world thinks about them.
Mary became the first female CEO of General Motors – one of the “Big Three” auto makers – in 2014, challenging an industry built by men and going on to lead GM through recalls, international crises, and now the electric car revolution.
She has once again made Detroit the capital of cars – not to mention one of the big players behind clean-energy innovation.
In 2025, Mary Barra is the worldwide face of Detroit’s automotive rebirth.
3. Mike Duggan: Mayor of The Comeback
Detroit was still crawling its way out of bankruptcy when Mike Duggan became mayor in 2014.
It was a time when streetlights didn’t work, homes were abandoned, and public trust in government was at an all-time low.
Mike did more than patch holes – he lit 65,000 new LED streetlights, demolished thousands of abandoned homes, and got city services running again.
Detroit is still far from perfect, but under Duggan, it became a functioning, livable city again, representing one of the largest political turnarounds for a city in modern history.
4. Anika Goss-Foster: The Woman Restoring Detroit’s Most Overlooked Neighborhoods
As CEO of Detroit Future City, Anika Goss-Foster is among the leading figures redefining Detroit’s neighborhoods.
The pinnacle of black excellence, Anika has spent the entirety of her career advocating for equity, sustainability, and community planning in the face of downtown’s redevelopment.
Her work has reframed Detroit as a tale of possibility instead of blight, particularly in communities that are far too often left out of the conversation.
Anika is a different kind of Detroit leader: One who centers justice, community, and above all else… the people who stuck it out through the tough times.
5. Jocelyn Benson: Defender of Democracy
Jocelyn Benson has been the Secretary of State in Michigan since 2019 and was a national figure in the 2020 election, which saw her standing firm against misinformation and threats in Detroit, where political tensions were high and she was tasked with the lofty task of protecting Michigan’s vote.
Benson updated the state’s election system, expanded access, and showed resilience under pressure.
At a time when democracy itself was being put to the test, Benson was one of the proud Detroiters holding the line steady from a position of power.
6. Mia Ray: Founder of the Glamaholic Lifestyle
No story encapsulates Detroit’s hustle quite like Mia Ray’s.
A proud black businesswoman, Mia was raised on the city’s west side and started blogging long before influencers ever became a thing.
Fast forward to 2025.
What started as a personal style blog has since morphed into Detroit’s iconic “Glamaholic Lifestyle” – a multimillion-dollar brand that sells out in minutes, offering everything from travel bags to wallets and accessories.
In short, Mia Ray proves Detroit has creative muscle.
Her luxury lifestyle brand was built in the city that made her, showing young Black women and Detroiters of all backgrounds that global success can come from even the humblest of beginnings.
She’s more than an influencer: she’s a role model for digital entrepreneurship.
7. Moodymann: The Soul of Detroit’s House Scene
Kenny Dixon Jr., better known by his stage name Moodymann, is a Detroit based musician known for his deep house tracks, mysterious persona, and fierce independence.
Since releasing his debut album “Silentintroduction” in 1997 on the label Planet E Communications, Moody has become one of the most influential figures in global electronic music.
He’s also remained a proud Detroiter, helping out younger DJs, donating to community projects, and keeping Detroit’s underground music scene alive and authentic even during the city’s darkest hours.
8. Babyface Ray: A New School Detroit Hip-Hop Artist to Watch
Since Covid, Detroit rap has been on the comeback on the national stage, and Babyface Ray is one of its biggest ambassadors.
Known for his laid-back delivery and raw storytelling, Babyface captures the Detroit hustle in a modern, relatable way, bringing the city’s gritty, fast-motivational rap sound back to the mainstream.
With his sudden rise, Ray has shown that Detroit’s hip-hop culture is more than just a regional flavor – it’s capable of having a major influence on American music as a whole.
9. Abdul El-Sayed: The New Face of Public Health
Former health director Abdul El-Sayed became a national figure for his work on lead exposure, pollution, and health equity as Detroit’s former health director.
He later ran for governor of Michigan and teaches nationally about public health.
Detroit’s new leadership is represented by El-Sayed: Young, diverse, data driven, and not afraid of mixing policy with activism.
His impact shows how challenges in Detroit can produce leaders who shape not just the city, but national debates as a whole.
10. Aaliyah – The Eternal R&B Princess That Inspired a Generation
Aaliyah may have tragically died in a plane crash in 2001, but her continued influence on the music world is undeniable.
Raised in Detroit and a graduate of the Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts, she remade R&B with her smooth vocals, futuristic production, and easygoing style.
Music from her era remains inspirational to new generations of artists, and tributes to her legacy include anniversary releases and cultural collaborations that do their part in reminding the world that Detroit raised a star that lives on even decades after her untimely death.
Why These 10 Detroit Legends Matter
All ten of these iconic Detroit natives are trailblazers that have made a lasting mark on not just the city of Detroit, but the world at large.
Economic builders like Dan Gilbert and Mary Barra have transformed entire industries and skylines.
Civic leaders like Mike Duggan, Anika Goss, Jocelyn Benson, and Abdul El-Sayed have steered policy, health, and democracy.
And cultural icons like Mia Ray, Moodymann, Babyface Ray, and Aaliyah have carried Detroit’s distinct creative energy to the world stage.
The past 25 years may have tested Detroit’s resilience, but these ten legends represent the spirit that keeps Detroit moving forward even in the face of extreme adversity.
They turned setbacks into second chances, local hustle into global impact, and continue to remind the world that Detroit is impossible to keep down.
For that, they will continue to shine in their lanes for generations to come.