State Rep. Donavan McKinney is serving his second term representing the 11th House District, which comprises northeast Detroit and part of Warren. Rep. McKinney began his career in public service as a legislative director in the Michigan House of Representatives. He later worked for the nonprofit Community Development Advocates of Detroit and Wayne County Community College District. Soon after, Rep. McKinney did political and coalition work for the largest health care union in the state, Service Employees International Union Healthcare Michigan. In recent years, combating climate change has been a focus of Rep. McKinney’s professional life. He served as the national political director for Climate Power, an organization that integrates hard-hitting research, polling and media to encourage leaders to take immediate climate action. In January 2020, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed McKinney to serve on the state’s first Environment Justice Council. Rep. McKinney has also served on the Board of Directors for Bridging Communities Inc., the Executive Board for Southeast Michigan Jobs with Justice, and the board of The McKinney Foundation. McKinney also served on the Executive Committee for the Michigan Democratic Party and the Executive Board for the 14th Congressional District Democratic Party. Rep. McKinney is a lifelong Detroiter. He was raised by his mother and grandmother who taught him the importance of community, leadership and service. He is a proud product of Detroit Public Schools and a graduate of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan.
