Meet The Team

Jerjuan Howard is the founder and executive director of Umoja Debate League. Born and raised on the Westside of Detroit, by a close knit community and family. Jerjuan has a deep passion for community engagement and youth development. Prior to founding Umoja Debate Team, Jerjuan has served as an Information Technology Specialist for the U.S. Army, President of the Black Student Union at Western Michigan University, author of "A Message to Black College Students", and as an Academic Interventionist for Detroit Public Schools Community District. He graduated from Western Michigan University in December 2020 with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. Jerjuan believes in the power that we all possess as a community to collectively change our conditions from within. He emphasizes the importance of reaching back to connect/invest in the community once you have reached a certain level of success.

 Arieana is Co-Communications & Public Relations Chair of Umoja Debate Team. Originally from Saginaw, MI she has always taken pride in community and family. This has helped her find joy in helping others any way she can. She graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in Public Relations minoring in Management. Along with that she also enjoys doing graphic design work. Being in charge of Umoja digital & website art. She has a creative mind along with multiple years in the customer service and marketing industry that has helped her communication skills and has showed the importance of teamwork. Teamwork is something that she feels is important for kids to understand and be able to work together while communicating effectively. She plans on using her passion to empower the movement behind Umoja Debate League.  She is excited to join the executive board to help the youth on their journey to success teaching them to always lead with heart and forever motivating them to never give up on their dreams. 

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This Maryland raised, Detroit made leader is a former Miss Wayne County, pushing climate justice as her community service initiative. Her journey in the nonprofit sector began in 2013 at the age of 10 when she founded Heart of Charity, Inc., a 501(c)(3) that collected and donated over 12,000 items to vulnerable communities.

In high school, Taylor was selected to attend the National Student Leadership Conference on Medicine and Healthcare at Harvard Medical School. While there, her team worked to conceptualize a network of rooftop and blight-to-beauty gardens to eradicate urban food insecurity — a project she hopes to drive to completion in Detroit, starting with her work at Umoja Village. She completed a Global Leadership Adventure in Haiti, where she helped to run rural medical clinics and build a school foundation entirely out of recycled materials. These opportunities ignited her passion for equitable access to youth development and educational enrichment, and she seeks to replicate and multiply these experiences for Detroit youth. 

A senior at Wayne State University studying public health and economics, she plans to devote her life to eradicating socioeconomic, educational, and environmental disparities by any means necessary. Her areas of expertise include strategic fundraising, sponsorship acquisition, and grant procurement.

Jaida is a passionate advocate for the advancement of youth, and social justice and she is a firm believer that "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men"-Frederick Douglas. Born and raised on the Westside of Detroit, Michigan, Jaida has had first hand experience in reaping the benefits of participating in youth development programs and understands the importance of exposing and educating children. She plans to use her knowledge, personal experience, and passion to pour back into the youth.

In addition to being a part of Umoja Debate League's Executive Board, Jaida worked with Central Michigan University's TRIO Upward Bound Program in Detroit, as a Mentor and Program Assistant. Jaida obtained her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Central Michigan University and her Master's of Social Work from Wayne State University. Jaida is now an ESE School Social Worker at Detroit Public Schools Community District. 

Jaida's primary devotion is to empower, uplift, and develop the youth into future leaders, as well as advocate for social justice. Jaida is excited to be a part of the team and assist with the development of the organization and youth.

Brandon is the Consultant for the Umoja Debate League. Originally from Ypsilanti, MI Brandon knows the importance of collaborating with a team and building together. Having experience in creating the company “Young Dreamer Clothing” while also working within the HR industry it has provided Brandon with experience and resources to not only build strong interpersonal relationships but also the leadership skills to successfully assist in growing an organization. Brandon understands that education is the cornerstone to empowerment within any community. When students are able to learn with others and grow together the sky's the limit where success is concerned.

Brooke Kimbrough was born and raised on Detroit’s westside. Attending University Preparatory Academy, she was introduced to debate through the Detroit Urban Debate League. As a former theatre kid, she took strongly to the activity and found it liberating to use her voice to advocate on topics ranging from federal policies to opposing perspectives in Black Studies. She continued her involvement in the activity in college, joining the A. Craig Baird Debate Forum at the University of Iowa. During her career as a competitor, Brooke became a high school and collegiate national champion. Winning awards and tournaments such as the Cooley Law School Speech Competition (2013), National Association of Urban Debate League Championship (2014), and the Cross Examination Debate Association Championship (2018). She and her partner received a “Spirit of Detroit” award their senior year in high school after breaking a number of records as a Black team in policy debate. Brooke took interest in teaching debate in college, and began working as a private coach. She has also worked as a summer lecturer for the Detroit Urban Debate League’s Summer Camp, the Dartmouth Debate Institute, and the University of Michigan National Debate Institute.

In addition, Brooke holds a passion for public service, gender equity, and juvenile justice. To explore her interest in public service, she was as an intern for former Congressman Sander Levin, serving the constituents of District 9 for 2 years. She also had the pleasure of serving as an intern to the Honorable Judge Denise Paige-Hood of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan for 1 year. Regarding gender equity, Brooke joined the Women’s Debate Institute’s Board of Directors where she served for a 5-year term. The Women’s Debate Institute is the premier organization for recruiting and retaining girls, women, femmes, and individuals who identify or are socialized as girls/women into high school and college debate. Lastly, Brooke has had a strong passion for abolitionist-based juvenile justice. She has worked in with the Iowa Disproportionate Minority Contact committee, Families and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children, and was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer as a member of the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice.

Brooke believes firmly in the need for African-centric education for Black students and is zealous to join a Detroit-based organization that is committed to this kind of liberatory pedagogy.