Southfield Councilman Dr. Lloyd Crews and Fire Chief Johnny Menifee were both recognized with Michigan Chronicle’s Men of Excellence awards. The annual Men of Excellence awards celebrate African-American men who inspire others through their success in business, community involvement and philanthropy.

The Men of Excellence awards were presented at an induction ceremony on Friday, June 30 at the Motor City Casino Hotel in Detroit. 

City Councilman Dr. Lloyd C. Crews holds a Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in Political Science from Clark Atlanta University and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Wayne State University. Dr. Crews has worked in higher education for over 15 years, beginning his career at Wayne State University followed by a position at Oakland Community College (OCC) where he served as Dean of the Royal Oak and Southfield Campuses. In 2014, he took on a new role as tenured professor of Political Science at OCC to pursue his role as a public servant.

Dr. Crews has been actively involved in matters of diversity and inclusion, coordinating the first Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Convocation at OCC in addition to creating SAFE Zones on campus for LGBT students. As a past chairperson of the OCC Sustainability Committee, he was awarded the Cultural Diversity Award by the Michigan College Personnel Association, the Diversity Award from the Bloomfield/Birmingham Diversity Taskforce and 40 under 40 Awards from both Oakland County and the Michigan Chronicle. Dr. Crews also served on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club of South Oakland County (Field Zone), American Red Cross of Southeastern Michigan, and as past President of the Southfield Rotary Club. He is a member of the Southfield Partnership Council, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. MLK Jr. Diversity Taskforce, and is past president of the Michigan College Personnel Association.

“Dr. Crews is always a pleasure to work with and is a true ‘man of excellence;’” stated Southfield Mayor Kenson Siver. “His efforts to increase diversity and inclusion are admirable and he works tirelessly to help Southfield’s youth and all residents. Dr. Crews is not only a leader in our community, but also a role model and someone who is truly making a difference.”

Fire Chief Johnny Menifee has served the Southfield Fire Department for over two decades, joining as a cadet in 1993. Chief Menifee earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Safety Studies from Sienna Heights University and graduated summa cum laude with his Master’s degree in Information Technology with a concentration in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from Eastern Michigan University. He fulfilled Staff and Command Executive Officer training with honors and has been invited back as a guest instructor on a university level. He is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland with certification in New Fire Chief II, Administrative Issues, and is an instructor at the Fire Training Institute at Oakland Community College training the next generation of firefighters, where he has been a three time recipient of top instructor.

Chief Menifee established a mentoring program to improve grades and build leadership skills for students in the Southfield School District. The Chief is also involved with various non-profits, including: Goodfellows, Shop with a Hero, Axemen motorcycle club and Children’s ToothFairy Foundation. Each year, he and his wife conduct the Menifee Family Holiday gift drive to donate toys to children during the holidays.

“We are thrilled that Chief Menifee was selected to receive the Men of Excellence award,” commented City Administrator Fred Zorn. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving. Chief Menifee has a proven track record in leadership and philanthropy. He is a well-respected leader and consistently upholds the high standards of the city of Southfield.”

The Michigan Chronicle’s Men of Excellence awards celebrate local African American men who inspire others through their vision, leadership, exceptional achievements and participation in community service. The 2017 Men of Excellence class is comprised of 50 honorees that were selected from over 400 nominees. 

For more information, contact Community Relations at 1-248-796-5130.