Vice-Chair Pro Tempore Jewel Ware (D-Detroit) was first elected to the Wayne County Commission in 1994. In 2003, her Commission colleagues elected her as chairwoman. As chairwoman of the Commission through 2008, Ware's responsibilities included overseeing the county's $2.14 billion budget, approving contracts, and adopting resolutions and ordinances.
During her tenure as chairwoman, Ware made the Wayne County Commission a more effective and efficient legislative body, saving approximately $1 million annually. She established an office of policy research and analysis that provides greater in-depth legislative and fiscal review of county contracts and operations.
Ware is a major advocate for seniors, health care and children. She also tirelessly works on several fronts, including education, economic empowerment and improving quality of life for Wayne County residents. Two major issues that she has focused on is improving access to health care for the underinsured and uninsured, and helping to guide the transition of former prisoners into productive members of society. She has advocated for better parenting by hosting parenting workshops and annually holds the Mittens and Socks Winter Drive for Children. Since 1995, Ware has hosted an annual Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social & Legislative Briefing. At these events, she informs seniors of programs that impact their quality of life. Ware worked with the Riverfront East Alliance to stop permanent casinos from being built on the Detroit River shoreline, and supported family-friendly public parks and recreational areas on the east riverfront. She also worked with Midtown Alliance to help keep the heart of the city cleaner.
Ware serves on numerous boards and commissions, including:
- Genesis Lutheran Church
- National Black Caucus on Aging Coalition of Labor Union
- Mack Alive · Pittman Memorial Housing Development
- Helping Our Prisoners Elevate (HOPE) · Development Corporation of Wayne County · HealthChoice
- Michigan Universal Health Care Access Network
- Warren-Conner Development Coalition
- Elks, Nettie Carter Jackson Temple, #1179 · NAACP
- Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Ware received her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Detroit, and is a certified social worker.
In very tough economic times, Ware has provided the leadership on the county's budget, insisting that mandated services like public safety and criminal justice remain top priorities. She has urged other county elected office holders to tighten expenditures and search for new sources of revenue.
As a champion for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled, Ware is working to reform the way services are delivered and managed by the Detroit Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency.
In addition to her role as Vice-Chair Pro Tempore of the Commission, Jewel Ware serves on the committees on Public Services and Government Operations, along with the Special Committee on Senior Citizens & Veterans Affairs. You can click here to email Jewel Ware's office with any concerns or comments.
Representing: Detroit (part)
Staff: Johna Johnson
