Letitia Russell

Letitia Russell, known to many as "Tia," is the Founder and Executive Director of Take My Hand, a Michigan-based nonprofit dedicated to uplifting low-income families through mental health advocacy, youth leadership development, and community resource engagement. Inspired by her mother's lifelong spirit of giving, Tia began her philanthropic journey as a teenager volunteering at summer camps, and has since channeled that passion into a growing organization she built from the ground up — launching the initiative informally in 2012 and securing its official 501(c)(3) status in 2019. She holds an Associate of Arts and Sciences from Wayne State University and carries dual credentials as both a State of Michigan Certified Peer Support Specialist and a Certified Community Health Worker through the Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance, equipping her with the professional foundation to address mental health, economic hardship, and community wellness with both heart and expertise. At the core of Tia's work is a deeply rooted belief that the most powerful resources are the people within a community itself. Through Take My Hand, she spearheads signature programs such as Generational Givers — a youth initiative centered on cultivating leadership skills and financial literacy — alongside annual community events designed to connect residents with the services and support they need. Her professional experience spans roles as a Wellness Coach with both the City of Detroit Health Department and Eastside Community Network, as well as a Juvenile Officer at the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility, where she provided crisis intervention and guidance for detained youth. This breadth of experience reflects her unwavering commitment to showing up for her community across every stage and setting of need. Tia's impact has not gone unrecognized. She has been honored with the Spirit of Detroit Award for Mental Wellness, the Detroit Pistons Woman of the Week distinction through Ally Financial, and the Mogul in the Making Award — each accolade a testament to the depth and reach of her community-driven work. Guided by the values of commitment, compassion, and love, she leads with empathy and operates with the conviction that lasting change is built not through grand gestures, but through consistent, purposeful action rooted in genuine care for others. Whether she is developing programs, mentoring young people, or advocating for those without a voice, Tia Russell remains steadfast in her mission to extend a hand — and in doing so, transform lives.