If there is one thing Wayne County needs it is new leadership, with the right experience, to fundamentally change how county government works. Jai-Lee Dearing has the right combination of real world and government experience that we need in today’s county government.

As a small business owner, Jai-Lee Dearing understands what it will take to help foster existing Wayne County businesses and attract new ones to Our County. Jai-lee knows what it means to balance a budget, foster growth and expand economic opportunity. Jai-Lee’s relationships, work ethic and economic understanding will help Wayne County turn the page on our economic downturn and begin growing our way out of this crisis.

In addition to his business experience, Jai-Lee Dearing has been on the frontlines of city government, managing budgets, eliminating corruption and improving services. As Detroit Housing Commissioner, Jai-Lee managed his department’s budget and nearly half a billion dollars in federal funds. Brought on to clean up the housing commission, Jai-Lee Dearing was forced to eliminate 80 percent of the department’s workers to wipeout widespread corruption in our city. Jai-Lee Dearing is also a member of Detroit NAACP, the Booker T. Washington Business Association, the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce and a number of other business organizations. Jai-Lee Dearing is ready to bring his experience and vision to Our County Leadership, and finally start delivering the kind of service and government we deserve.

Jai-Lee was born in Detroit at Hutzel Hospital on September 4th, 1972. He’s a lifelong Detroiter who owns and operates his family’s 4th Generation, Detroit-based business. Jai-Lee grew up at his family’s home on Parkgrove on Detroit’s East Side and attended William Robinson Elementary and later, St. David’s Middle School. Despite being told he had dyslexia, Jai-Lee persevered, made the Honor Roll and graduated early from Martin Luther King, Jr. High School in 1989.

In his college years, Jai-Lee attended Wilberforce College in Xenia, Ohio—one of America’s oldest and most respected black colleges. Sadly, Jai-Lee’s father became ill while Jai-Lee was away at school. Knowing his place was at his father’s side, Jai-Lee answered the call. He returned home to Detroit to run the family business while his father recovered, which through the grace of God, he did.

As a small business owner, Jai-Lee has created jobs for hundreds of citizens of Wayne County over the years. In addition, Jai-Lee created a college scholarship program, through his business, that has sent many of his young workers to college tuition free. He works in, lives in and loves the City of Detroit and is proud to Answer the Call once more, this time to help Wayne County through some of its most challenging times.

Jai-Lee is married to his lovely wife, Shellina and has three children; Melba, age 11, Miles, age 7, and Jai-Lauryn, age 3. He attends Plymouth United Church of Christ on Warren Ave. On Saturdays, you can find Jai-Lee cooking up a mean barbecue outside one of his businesses, ‘Bert’s’ in Detroit’s historic Eastern Market. Stop by sometime, grab a plate and say ‘hello’. Jai-Lee would love to meet you!