DETROIT (WXYZ) — For the second time in Detroit’s history, a woman has been named the city’s new deputy mayor.

Melia Howard replaces Todd Bettison, who is to serve as Detroit’s interim police chief.

“It has been validated for many people in the community who have seen me work for decades. It validated for them that if Melia can do it, we can all do it,” Howard said. “There are so many people who have allowed me to be in this space because if they didn’t lift me up, I wouldn’t be in this space.”

Learn more from Melia Howard in the video below:

One on one with the new Deputy Mayor of Detroit, Melia Howard

Howard has a long history of serving Detroiters in various roles, including Director of Community Engagement and advising the Mayor on neighborhood economic development. Before officially working for the city, she was a well-known community organizer and says she always enjoyed serving her neighbors.

“Just being able to connect with people and give them the attention they need and deserve and allow them to speak their mind, but be solution-oriented and give them the help they need,” said Howard about her passion for connecting people. to help

She is credited with helping build community support for many of the city’s development projects, ensuring they have a voice in the process and a role in shaping the community benefits agreement for each project.

Prior to that, Howard was the Director of Special Projects and also served as the Department of Neighborhoods manager for the 5th District.

She led Saturdays in the “vocational training program, which partners with the University of Michigan to support adults and high school students.

“I loved going out on a Saturday morning and someone would call and say, Miss Howard, I need help and I’d be fine, I came,” Howard said of her time as neighborhood manager.

Howard grew up on the east side of town near 8 Mile and Ryan roads and still lives in town.

“I’m a daughter from the east side. We love each other a lot. We always support our neighbors,” Howard said.

Her future plans include supporting the Mayor’s initiatives such as expanding community violence intervention programs, providing opportunities for job skills programs, supporting investment and progress in affordable housing and improving the quality of life for Detroiters.

“People need to be heard and not just heard. They need to see the action behind the communication and all the intentionality behind what you bring to the space, so that’s what I do,” Howard said.

She prefers to be on the ground, building relationships.

“I’ve always been everywhere. I have a history, a popular history knocking on doors, campaigns. I’m all over town at all times, so people will see me at their door,” Howard said.

Howard is also a big fan of Godzilla and B-horror movies, and even from a young age he wanted to be a lawyer, politician, undertaker or coroner.

“I grew up in front of the TV and I loved watching Quincy and so when I was little I was like I’m going to be Quincy when I grow up,” Howard said.

She credits her grandfather for introducing her to horror movies and her grandfather for her interest in politics.

“My grandmother growing up was very involved in politics, so every day WWJ played all day,” Howard recalled.