Monique Owens

Monique Owens is an American politician who is the first African-American mayor of Eastpointe, Michigan. She previously served on the Eastpointe City Council from 2017 to 2019.

Monique Owens
Mayor of Eastpointe, Michigan
In office
January 2020 – Incumbent
Preceded bySuzanne Pixley
Eastpointe City Council
In office
2017–2019
Personal details
Born1985/1986 (age 34–35)[1]

Biography

In 2007, Owens moved from Clinton Township to Eastpointe.[2] She started her career as a clerical employee with the Detroit Police Department and later served as a Wayne County Sheriff's deputy[2] for 11 years.[1] In 2017, a federal judge ruled that the city's methodology of electing of council members at-large rather than by district diluted the vote of the Black population (Eastpointe was 30% Black at the time) and was a violation of the Voting Rights Act.[2] In 2017, Owens was elected to the Eastpointe City Council, the first African-American to serve as councilperson.[2][3] In November 2019, she was narrowly elected mayor defeating fellow City Council member Michael Klinefelt by a 19-vote margin,[2][1] replacing Suzanne Pixley, who retired after 12 years as mayor.[1]

References
  1. Massey, Patreice A. (November 6, 2019). "Monique Owens makes history…Again! Becomes First Black Mayor of Eastpointe". Michigan Chronicle. Owens, 33, narrowly beat out fellow City Council member Michael Klinefelt after receiving 1,648 votes, or 32.5% of ballots cast to Klinefelt’s 1,629 votes.
  2. Salam, Sara (April 2020). "Michigan's Eastpointe Welcomes Its First Black Mayor". Professional Women's Magazine.
  3. Hall, Cristina (November 6, 2019). "Eastpointe elects first black mayor; selects 2 council members under new voting method". Detroit Free Press.
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