Detroit Premiere & Benefit
SEEDS OF CHANGE 2026
An Evening of Storytelling for Justice, Change & Hope
Hosted By
Ya Girl Cheron
Mix 92.3 & 97.9 WJLB
Featuring the Detroit Premiere of
What Grace Leaves Behind
Join Us for an Unforgettable Evening
What happens after punishment ends?
That question is at the heart of What Grace Leaves Behind, an original short documentary written and produced by Cecilia Amorita Zavala in partnership with Represent Justice.
Join Nation Outside for Seeds of Change 2026: Detroit Premiere & Benefit, an unforgettable evening where film, community, and purpose come together to inspire conversation and action.
Through intimate storytelling, What Grace Leaves Behind explores what happens after incarceration—not through statistics or headlines, but through the lived experiences of women rebuilding their lives. The film invites us to reflect on the care we offer one another, the dignity we extend, and what justice asks of us after punishment ends.
More than a film premiere, Seeds of Change is a celebration of the people, partnerships, and stories that remind us lasting change begins with those closest to the challenges. Together, we'll gather with community leaders, advocates, elected officials, philanthropists, and supporters to honor extraordinary changemakers, experience the transformative power of storytelling, and invest in a future where people directly impacted by incarceration are seen, supported, and empowered to lead.
Your Evening Includes
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🎬 Exclusive Detroit Premiere of What Grace Leaves Behind
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🍽️ Dinner
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🍷 Two complimentary drink tickets
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🎶 Live music & entertainment
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🏆 2026 Seeds of Change Awards Ceremony
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🤝 Opportunities to connect with community leaders, advocates, elected officials, and supporters from across Michigan
Honoring Our 2026 Award Recipients
Everett Seay Light Keeper Award
Delenia Howell
The Everett Seay Light Keeper Award recognizes individuals who embody service, leadership, hope, and an unwavering commitment to supporting others.
Delenia first joined Nation Outside as a peer participant before becoming a Peer Navigator, transforming her lived experience into a source of strength and encouragement for countless people returning home from incarceration. Her compassion, resilience, and leadership remind us that healing becomes possible when someone walks beside us and believes in our potential.
Changemaker Awards
State Representative Donavan McKinney
The Seeds of Change Changemaker Award recognizes individuals whose leadership advances justice, expands opportunity, and creates meaningful change in communities across Michigan. Honorees embody the belief that lasting progress is possible when leaders listen to impacted communities, challenge inequitable systems, and use their influence to build pathways toward a more just and inclusive future.
Representative McKinney has consistently championed policies that expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and elevate voices too often left out of conversations about justice and equity. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to economic justice and creating pathways for every Michigander to thrive.
ProsperUs Detroit
Accepted by CEO Paul Jones
The Seeds of Change Changemaker Award recognizes organizations creating meaningful opportunities, advancing equity, and helping build stronger communities.
ProsperUs Detroit is being honored for its commitment to economic justice, entrepreneurship, and community wealth building. Through its investment in people and neighborhoods, ProsperUs has created opportunities that strengthen families, businesses, and communities across Detroit.
