MEET SHERISSE | Butler

Meet Sherisse M. Butler

Sherisse M. Butler is a change-catalyst. Her work with the city's youth is driven by the values instilled in her by her grandparents. A native Detroiter and DPS graduate-a proud King Crusader, she never forgot how important it is to stop and reach back to the next generation

Impact at City Year Detroit

In her role as Senior Vice President and Executive Director of City Year Detroit, Sherisse brings over two decades of experience. She drives change and impacts the lives of students right here in the city. Under her leadership.

Sherisse's Results at City Year Detroit

$6M Public Funding

City Year Detroit’s recruitment has grown over 75% and the organization received its first-ever state appropriation under her leadership. The organization has received $6M in public funding over two fiscal years—increasing services to AmeriCorps members and Detroit students.

Expanded Services

Her leadership has expanded the reach and impact of workforce and leadership development training to over 100 young adults and CYD has expanded services to 6 new schools under her leadership.

Student Improvements

Her expanded emphasis on evidence-based academic training on the science of reading and Mental Health First Aid has shown demonstrable gains in student outcomes. Over 80% of students are showing improvement in Math and ELA. City Year is one of the most impactful organizations in Detroit helping students to get back on track and graduate from high school on time!

'Sherisse's commitment to her hometown Detroit extends far beyond her professional role"

Community Involvement

Previously, she served as Senior Director of Government and Community Affairs for Detroit Public Schools Community District where she led the District’s legislative engagement efforts in Lansing

She has also worked in Community Relations for the Detroit Land Bank Authority where she found a passion for neighborhood revitalization.

She also has expanded her life’s mission to Detroit’s children having served as Youth Pastor at St. Paul AME Church, Board of Directors for Teen HYPE Youth Development and the Detroit Promise Zone Authority

Before returning to Detroit, she lived in New York City where she started her career in education at Bank Street School for Children and Barnard College, Columbia University. She has been an after-school teacher, basketball coach, diversity, equity and inclusion coach and a residential life director providing leadership in education from early childhood to higher education

Sherisse's Education

Having received her bachelor’s and master’s Degrees at Columbia University in the City of New York, she decided to move back home to Detroit in 2015 to be a part of the change that she wanted to see in her hometown. Sherisse believes it is her mission to kick in the doors of opportunity, build a table, and bring in more chairs to accommodate the voices of our young people.

A recipient of numerous awards including the Skillman Foundation’s Visionary Award, Michigan Chronicle’s 2024 Standout Black Nonprofit Leader and Crain’s 40 under 40, Sherisse firmly believes that education gives young people the ability to dream and realize any possibility in life.