Detroit

The Detroit Division is pleased to honor Mr. Edward Deeb, a community leader who is the co-founder of Metro Detroit Youth Day, an annual event that brings together thousands of young people for a day of fun and sportsmanship.

Metro Detroit Youth Day is the largest youth event in Michigan and draws more than 35,000 people to Belle Isle each July. The event was inspired following altercations in 1980 between youth and area retailers in Detroit. After meeting with community leaders, Mr. Deeb met with retailers, urging them to be more sensitive to young people in an effort to restore calm in the city.

To help resolve rising tensions, Mr. Deeb organized the first Metro Detroit Youth Day to show young people that the business community cared about them. In 1991, event organizers expanded their efforts to include anti-substance abuse programs, motivational speakers, entertainment, and a yearly ceremony that awards more than 50 participants with college scholarships.

Metro Detroit Youth Day has become an annual tradition that is highly anticipated by thousands of young people each year and has received several honors, to include the Point of Light Award from President George H.W. Bush.

Mr. Deeb remains the driving force behind the event and donates countless hours to ensure that the tradition is longstanding.

High resolution image