justin

onwenu

Two people sitting in a waiting area, a woman with blonde, wavy hair and a man in a suit, both holding papers, engaging in conversation. There are other people standing nearby, with one holding a folder, inside a well-lit room with large windows.

nice to meet you

〰️

nice to meet you 〰️

A multi-generational family celebrating Christmas, standing in front of a decorated Christmas tree with ornaments. They are smiling and hugging each other.
A man and a boy in a park, with the man holding a fishing line with a fish hanging from it. The boy is smiling, wearing a life jacket and casual clothes, standing on grass.

My name is Justin Onwenu. I’m a fourth generation Detroiter dedicated to fighting for a Michigan with higher wages, lower costs, stronger neighborhoods, and a government that works for all of us.

My mom is a nurse in Detroit who taught me to care for those around me. My dad was a Detroit public-school teacher and small business owner. He immigrated to Detroit from Nigeria and taught me the value of education and hard work. My grandfather worked for the City of Detroit under Mayors Coleman Young and Dennis Archer. My grandmother worked as a nurse serving Detroit children. She still teaches Detroit seniors how to quilt.

They each taught me the importance of fighting for home.  

After graduating from Rice University, I became a community organizer in Detroit’s 48217 zip code, a neighborhood faced with some of the highest levels of pollution in the country. We brought the community together to get air filtration systems for homes and schools, ensure access to clean drinking water, and connect residents to resources during the pandemic.

I went on to Columbia Law School, where I focused on labor and constitutional law, served as Student Body President, was recognized for my commitment to workers’ rights, and graduated with honors. After law school, I came back home to fight for good paying jobs for Detroiters.

I’ve fought for workers as a Law Clerk for the UAW and SEIU, served as the youngest member on Governor Whitmer’s Black Leadership Advisory Council, and helped lead efforts to strengthen Michigan’s constitution with new term limits and financial disclosure requirements.

Now, as Detroit’s first Director of Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunity, I work to drive investment in Detroit small businesses and startups. I also teach workers’ rights law as an adjunct professor at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law because I firmly believe that a strong economy uplifts both workers and local businesses.

With growing uncertainty, division, and corruption in our politics, Michigan needs new leaders who can bring people together and deliver. I’m ready to get to work for Detroit and Downriver. Together we will fight to build a thriving and affordable economy, stronger neighborhoods, and an ethical government that works for all of us. Let’s get to work!

A smiling woman and a man wearing sunglasses and a suit, standing closely together outdoors.
A person in academic regalia standing in front of a Columbia Law School sign, wearing a light blue gown and a black cap with a tassel, smiling.
A man smiling and holding a sign that says 'UAW ON STRIKE' during a protest or strike event, with other protesters holding similar signs in the background on a city street.
Two children, a girl and a boy, standing on the steps of a house. The girl is wearing a light purple sleeveless shirt, a white skirt, and sandals, with earrings and a headband. The boy is wearing a blue basketball jersey with 'Detroit' and the number 1, and black sneakers. They are outside a brick house with white trim and a glass door, surrounded by plants.