Michigan Municipal League Convention 2023 Program

2023 Award Winners

Jim Sinclair Exceptional Service Award Celebrating a person dedicated to public service who has shown passion and commitment to the League, enthusiastically supporting its mission and promoting its purpose.

Recipient: Anita Ashford

Anita Ashford serves as councilmember for the City of Port Huron, having also served in the role of mayor pro-tem. Anita’s trailblazing spirit has broken barriers and shattered glass ceilings. She made history as the first Black woman to be elected vice chair of the League, leaving an indelible mark on the world of municipal governance. Her involvement with the National Association of Regional Councils Board of

Directors further showcases her commitment to enhancing the lives of citizens. Anita also served as chairperson of SEMCOG, making her the first Black woman to hold the position. Her list of achievements reflects her outreach of service from local to regional and national platforms. Anita has been an active member in the League. She currently serves on the board of the Michigan Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (MBC-LEO) and on the Elected Officials Academy (EOA) Board of Directors. She is a firm believer in the importance of educating municipal officials and actively encourages peers to participate in the EOA. She is quick to assist whenever she is called upon, whether it’s to moderate or present a League session, or co-author a publication for MBC-LEO. After learning about community wealth building, Anita created the Connect-One-on-One program for MBC-LEO to help members build relationships based on trust and belonging. Beyond her public service, Anita is deeply rooted in the community she calls home. As a lifelong resident of the City of Port Huron, her passion for its prosperity is unwavering. Professionally, she has served DTE Energy Company, driving continual improvement in process management. Anita has an associate degree in criminal justice from SC4 in Port Huron and a bachelor’s degree in human resource administration from Concordia in Ann Arbor. Her expertise as a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, combined with a multitude of other certifications, showcases her relentless pursuit of excellence. What does the Jim Sinclair Award mean to you? “This award is an awesome honor that I will cherish and be greatly inspired to continue serving in my role as an elected official.”

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