Still Standing Strong: Dena K. Morgan's Journey of Faith, Family, and Community Leadership
- Yanice Jackson
- Sep 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 16
In Jackson’s Ward 1, community isn’t just where you live — it’s who you are. For lifelong Southside resident Dena K. Morgan, that truth runs deep. A mother, grandmother, homeowner, and the niece of legendary coach Tony Dungy, she has spent decades serving her neighbors, creating opportunities for families, and fighting for fairness in the city she calls home. Now, she’s ready to take that commitment to the next level as a candidate for City Council.
Dena’s roots in Jackson are as real as the people she represents. She grew up surrounded by the challenges and triumphs of her community and chose to stay rooted here, building her life and career in Ward 1. Over the years, she has worn many hats — nonprofit leader, business owner, Michigan Supreme Court–certified mediator, and Michigan Medicaid–certified community health worker. Each role sharpened her ability to listen, to lead, and to bring real solutions to the table.
Her leadership has already left a lasting mark. She transformed the former New Macedonia Church on East High Street into a thriving 24-hour child care center — a lifeline for working parents. She created after-school programs that gave students their first moments in the spotlight at the Jackson County Fair and the Michigan Theatre. When food insecurity hit hardest during the pandemic, Dena organized efforts that distributed more than 105,000 pounds of food and pioneered Jackson’s first drive-thru mobile pantry, an innovation honored by the Ella Sharp Museum.
She hasn’t shied away from tough fights either. When residents were faced with a $1 million road assessment on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Dena collected the signatures that helped stop it. She stood shoulder-to-shoulder with residents at the Reed Manor protest, defending their housing rights. Every week, she has mentored women at the Jackson County Jail, partnered with 12 local churches to distribute personal care items, and worked with AARP to create jobs for seniors.
Her belief in building community also shows up in celebration. Dena is the founder of the city’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration at the King Center — a tradition that brings people together around service, legacy, and pride.
Now, as she looks toward City Council, her priorities are clear. She envisions expanded youth programs, stronger after-school activities, more support for small businesses, and increased opportunities for seniors and working families. She is committed to improving Ward 1’s infrastructure, fighting hunger through better food access, and ensuring government transparency and accountability. She also champions future-forward projects — like a new community water park and a recording studio in the King Center’s Tony Dungy Classroom, designed to uplift and inspire the next generation of local talent.
For Dena, this campaign is about more than politics. It’s about ownership and vision. “As a lifelong resident of Ward 1, a mother and grandmother, I have a personal stake in what happens in our community — not just today, but over the next 30 years,” she says. “I can’t promise to fix every problem alone. But I can promise to do my homework, to listen, and to work with residents to make smart, long-term choices that serve our community now and for generations to come.”
On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, voters in Ward 1 will have a chance to elect a leader who has already proven her dedication through years of action, not just words. For Dena K. Morgan, this isn’t about a title — it’s about continuing a life’s work: being the voice of the people, investing in the future, and delivering pure leadership with real results.
📍 Polling Location: King Center, 1107 Adrian Street, Jackson, Michigan 49203📞 Call: (517) 240-3511 | 📧 ElectDenaKMorgan@gmail.com
Paid for by the Committee to Elect Dena K. Morgan • 245 E. Robinson Street, Jackson, MI 49203
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