50 Black Men Honored at Men of Excellence Awards

Published June 23, 2026 at 2:19 PM EDT

Detroit City Council President James E. Tate Jr. was named the 2026 Man of the Year.

DETROIT, MI -- Fifty distinguished Black men from across Southeast Michigan were recognized for their leadership, professional accomplishments and community service during the Michigan Chronicle’s 18th annual Men of Excellence Awards ceremony on Thursday, June 18.

The Men of Excellence program was created to ensure that those contributions do not go overlooked.

Black men throughout Southeast Michigan are leading companies, directing public agencies, caring for patients, educating students, creating jobs, mentoring boys and developing solutions to challenges facing their neighborhoods. The Chronicle’s annual ceremony gives those men their flowers while their work remains active and their influence continues to grow.