GHP: Jean Conyers, Flint CEO and Genesee Health Plan Board Member, Turns 85

On November 10th, Jean Conyers will be celebrating her 85th birthday with family and close friends. Jean, who was born and raised in Memphis,Tennessee,  is the youngest of eleven (11) children. Her father, an elementary school teacher, and her mother, a stay-at-home mom, instilled the importance of education within their children and as a result, she immediately continued her education after high school and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science at LeMoyne College. Afterwards, she continued her studies at Atlanta University where she completed and earned her Master of Business Administration degree.

After moving to Flint in the early 1980s, Jean served as administrator to a few Flint organizations until she became President and CEO of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. Jean became the first African-American CEO of a Chamber of Commerce in the state of Michigan and the second African-American Woman CEO of a Chamber of Commerce in the United States. During her twenty-one year tenure, Jean designed the Self-Employment Entrepreneurial curriculum that was licensed by the State of Michigan and geared toward the development of non-traditional entrepreneurs.

Jean was pivotal in establishing Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce as the cornerstone of minority business. She helped countless numbers of individuals and organizations throughout Genesee County develop business plans and form their own companies. She served on numerous boards, including Genesee Health Plan, and spent much time implementing programs for Flint Community Schools, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., The AME Church, and many others.

We thank you Jean Conyers for your service to the community and we are happy to celebrate 85 years with you!