DPM Champion Interview:
Keith Butler
District Manager-District 5 Mayor’s Office, Department of Neighborhoods, City of Detroit. Chief Executive Officer: The Detroit Boys Mentoring Club
Your Detroit Story
“Tell us a little about who you are and what first inspired you to invest your energy in Detroit’s community.”
I’m a lifelong Detroiter—born on the east side, raised on the west side in the Brightmoor neighborhood. Detroit is in my DNA. I’m a husband, father, District 5 Manager in the Mayor’s Office, and a community leader who believes deeply in the potential of our city and our people.
My path toward deep community work began in a tragic way. In 2012, my younger brother, Keyon Phillips, was murdered in Detroit at just 18 years old. Losing him changed everything; it was the moment I decided my life’s work would be dedicated to making sure other young men didn’t meet the same fate. Since then, I’ve committed myself to mentoring, creating opportunities, and building spaces where our youth can thrive. Detroit has given me so much, and my mission is to give back in a way that ensures the streets, the prisons, and the graves don’t claim our young leaders.
Transportation in Downtown: Then & Now
“In your experience, how has transportation in Downtown Detroit evolved over the years, and what role do you see the People Mover playing in that change?”
Growing up in Detroit, having a car was everything. Getting downtown was a rare treat—and when you did, riding the People Mover felt like an amusement‑park ride. It gave you an elevated view and a whole new perspective, literally.
That magic hasn’t faded. You can still zip through the heart of downtown and take in Detroit’s architecture, art, and energy from a vantage point you can’t get anywhere else. But now the People Mover is more than a ride—it’s a vital connector, linking people to work, entertainment, dining, and events while remaining a safe, efficient, and iconic part of our transportation network. I see it continuing to play a central role in keeping Detroit’s core accessible, vibrant, and connected for residents and visitors alike.
Favorite Spot Along the People Mover
“Which station or nearby spot along the People Mover route do you love most, and what makes it special to you?”
Times Square Station, without question. It’s home to The Detroit Boys Mentoring Club’s first advertisement, which makes it incredibly special to me. Our boys can walk past those station windows and see themselves right in the heart of Detroit. For them, it’s not just a poster—it’s a reminder that they belong here, that their faces, dreams, and voices matter. For me, it’s a promise that our work is reaching the community, inspiring others, and showing young leaders they can take up space in places that once felt out of reach. That’s a feeling I’ll never forget.
Hopes & Dreams for Detroit
“When you think about Detroit’s future, what’s one message or aspiration you’d share with the community?”
As we continue to build, we cannot turn a blind eye to what’s happening with our youth. The skyscrapers, new businesses, and revitalized neighborhoods will mean nothing if we lose an entire generation in the process. We have to be vigilant and intentional—reaching young people, guiding them, and giving them real opportunities to thrive. We can’t forget who we’re building this great city for. Every streetlight, park, business, and piece of progress is for them, too. Detroit’s future depends on us turning the tide for our young people today. When we invest in them, we’re not just shaping their future; we’re securing the legacy of the city we all love.
Fun Finale: Ride with Anyone
“If you could ride the Detroit People Mover with anyone—past or present—who would it be, and why?”
My little brother, Keyon Phillips. I’d want him to see how far we’ve come as a city since 2012 and how much has changed for the better. More than that, I’d want him to know his life sparked a movement—The Detroit Boys Mentoring Club—that’s giving young men hope, opportunity, and a future. That ride would be about more than sightseeing; it would honor his memory, show him the lives that have changed, and affirm that his story continues to shape Detroit in powerful ways.