Meet The Team

Andrea Hunter began her United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1299 Union leadership career as Civil Rights Representative in 2010, then became elected to the position of Treasurer in 2012 which she served two terms. In 2018 she became the 1st African-American woman to be elected President at USW Local 1299. She is also the 1st Afro-American woman elected President in the basic steel sector of the United Steelworkers union. As an amalgamated local leader, she has successfully negotiated 4 contracts within a year of her first term as President. Now retired President Hunter from USW local 1299.

I am a lifelong Detroiter, a graduate of Cass Tech HS (Chem-Bio Curriculum) and Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in biology, and a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. I love playing tennis, golf, and basketball. Darwin is currently authoring a book on interpersonal relationships with others and with God.

Fun Fact: He loves to scuba dive and answer trivia questions. Being on the TV Game Show Jeopardy is on his bucket list... wish him luck!

Bio coming soon.

Chettara Hunter is a Detroit based freelance photographer and author, a graduate of Wayne State University, and a proud sister of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated. Through her creative work and community involvement, Chettara has developed programs, raised funds, and supported causes close to her heart, including Lupus Awareness, Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness, Autism, Suicide Prevention, and Breast Cancer Research.

Chettara also volunteers with Children’s Hospital, where she hopes to encourage and inspire young patients. After being diagnosed with Lupus at sixteen, she understands firsthand the importance of staying strong, pursuing your dreams, and not allowing a diagnosis to define what is possible.

Outside of photography and community work, Chettara is an author and lifelong storyteller. She is currently working on her first middle-grade mystery/supernatural book and her second tea recipe book. Her first tea recipe book, The Tea Experiment, is already available.

FUN FACT: Chettara loves creating themed menus and custom teas for movie nights and binge-watching sessions with family and friends. For her, a good story is always better with a good snack and a cup of tea, whether it’s traditional, a mocktail, or a cocktail.

Dorethea Brown-Maxey is the President of NABET-CWA Local 43 (National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians). She represents broadcast engineers and operation technicians from WDIV TV/ Local 4 and WJBK/FOX 2 in Detroit and Southfield Michigan. She is the first female President of Local 43 and has held this office for 9 years. Dorethea has been a member of NABET-CWA Local 43 for over 25 years. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Dorethea, is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor where she majored in Multimedia Communications and African American Studies. She is currently a News Editor and Camera Operator at WDIV Local 4, an NBC affiliate.

Bio coming soon.

Ghana Goodwin-Dye proud mother of four children and a proud Grandmother of three grandchildren. She has been a resident of Southfield, Michigan for 33 years. She retired from UAW-General Motors after 34.5 years and started a new career with the University of Michigan Center for Labor and Community Studies as an Education Specialist/ Coordinator.

She started her career at General Motors in 1985 working in production on the assembly line and later gaining her Journeyman’s card as an Electrician after completing a four-year apprentice in 3.5 years. She has an Associates degree in Business Administration and currently working on a Bachelors. She became involved with her union though standing committees’ structure and volunteering for union and community activities. She was on the Women’s committee, Union label committee, election committee and Community service committee. She gained knowledge of the union and its purpose through the involvement on these committees and from the brothers and sisters she worked with.

Bio coming soon.

Jim Pedersen is a retired autoworker from UAW Local 892 in Saline, Michigan, where he rose through the ranks to President. Pedersen was placed on the staff of the International UAW in 1998 and served in the Education and National C.A.P. Departments in Taylor and Detroit. His political history includes Chairing the Jackson County and 2nd, 6th, and 15th District Democrats. Pedersen’s second career was at the University of Michigan-Dearborn Center for Labor and Community Studies, where he was the Program Coordinator for labor studies conferences, such as the annual Black Men In Unions, Women Workers, Latino Workers, and Young Workers Conferences. He also got in front of the classroom, leading discussions on Grievance Handling, Collective Bargaining, and Local Union Administration. Pedersen quit that job in January 2020, built a house, and moved to Cassopolis, Michigan, where he has immersed himself in the schools, social and public life of that historic and diverse community.



Kelvin Blakes serves as the Youth Coordinator of DDAPRI and has been a dedicated member of the chapter since high school. A graduate of Wayne State University, Kelvin has grown from a youth member into a valued staff leader and advocate for young people. Known for being attentive, detail-oriented, and informed about current events, he has taught conference classes focused on bridging the gap between youth and elders and understanding what motivates young people to create change. His passion for activism and youth leadership has also led him to serve as the Youth Coordinator for the entire Midwest APRI, expanding his work with young people across the region.

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Fun Fact: Kelvin has a Jazz Radio Show that comes on Sundays @7pm-10pm on resilient radio.net

Cari serves as the Youth Co-Coordinator OF DDAPRI and has been a member since her high school days. Over the years, she has grown from a youth member into a leader committed to the next generation. A graduate of Michigan State University, Cari combines her passion for youth leadership with her creativity and communication skills, serving as the organization’s Social Media Manager and Graphic Designer for events and programs. Through social media, photography, graphic design, and digital content, she highlights the accomplishments, creativity, and hard work of the organization’s youth while giving them a platform to be seen and celebrated. Her journey from youth member to leader reflects her commitment to giving back to the organization that helped shape her.

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Fun Fact: Cari is on the road to becoming a content creator on social media @caritaylorh

Bio coming soon.

Bio Coming soon.

Bio coming soon.

Bio coming soon.