Brown teaches lesson in civic wisdom and resilience
Each academic year, the Eastern Michigan University Honors College hosts a series of Star Lectures — a group of six presentations throughout both semesters in accordance with an annual theme.
This year, the college began the series Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, with a lecture from Ypsilanti Mayor Nicole Brown titled “My Journey to City Hall: Lessons for Aspiring Change Agents.”
The Star Lecture theme for the 2025-26 academic year is “Be the Change.” This theme was chosen with counsel from student representatives on the Honors College Advisory Committee, in reference to the saying, “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” an excerpt from a longer quote attributed to the activist Mahatma Gandhi.
Ann Eisenberg, dean of the EMU Honors College, explained why the theme was chosen during the lecture’s introduction.
“Our goal in selecting this theme was to inspire young people, students, to recognize their own power to make a difference in the world,” Eisenberg said. “To think about how they might do so now, as students, and soon, rather than later.”
Brown is a two-time alumna of Eastern Michigan University. After earning her bachelor’s degree in communications and social work in 2011, she returned to EMU and completed her master’s degree in social work in 2022.
After becoming the youngest member to be elected to the city council in 2014, Brown went on to become the first Black woman to serve as mayor of Ypsilanti when she was elected eight years later.
During the lecture, Brown encouraged students to be bold and embrace opportunities.
“Be courageous enough to step into rooms where you may be the only person who looks like you," Brown said. "Do not shrink to fit into places you’ve already outgrown. So, when the world tells you to quiet down, stay in line or be realistic, don’t.”
Students eagerly participated in the Q&A session at the end of Brown’s lecture. Several questions were asked regarding Brown’s experiences as mayor and the civic opportunities available for college students.
Brown explained that an entry-level way for students to get involved in the Ypsilanti community is to join one of the city’s numerous boards and commissions.
Notably, this included Ypsilanti’s new Ad-Hoc Tenants’ Rights Subcommittee.
Recently approved on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, the committee has been formed to promote safe renting and address housing instability. Brown said the new committee is seeking Ypsilanti renters to participate in crafting tenants’ rights and holding landlords accountable.
Those seeking to participate on boards and commissions can visit the City of Ypsilanti’s website and complete an online application. Notably, the digital presence of the Ad-Hoc Tenants’ Rights Subcommittee is still under development.
Brown also mentioned that students can get involved in their communities by attending city council meetings and giving public comment. She emphasized that students and community members are always welcome to contact her and her colleagues with questions, comments or concerns.
When asked for the single most important takeaway she hopes students and community members would learn from her lecture, Brown reemphasized the importance of courage.
“Do not let fear deter you from your passions or the things that you don’t know are yet your passions," Brown said. "If I had let fear stop me from running for city council, I wouldn’t be here today."
The next Star Lecture, titled “Set the North on Fire,” will be given by Peter Blackmer, associate professor of Africology and African American studies at EMU. Blackmer will explore the history of the Northern Student Movement, a student-led civil rights activist organization founded in 1961.
The upcoming lecture will be held Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Students and community members are invited to attend the lecture in 124 Sill Hall or participate virtually through Zoom.
