Spirit of Detroit Award
Honoring service and contribution to the Detroit community.
Meet Nefertiti Morris · I AM NEFERTITI
A life devoted to transformation.
Author. Entrepreneur. Business and branding strategist. Interior designer. Community developer. Visionary.
Purpose has always been the common thread.
Nefertiti Morris is a multidimensional leader whose career has been built around helping people recognize potential and transform it into something meaningful.
With more than 31 years of leadership experience, she brings together community development, education, family engagement, youth advocacy, workforce readiness, strategic partnerships, nonprofit development, entrepreneurship, branding, and organizational consulting.
From serving underserved and homeless youth and supporting disadvantaged families to collaborating with schools, organizations, business leaders, and public agencies, Nefertiti has earned a reputation for building relationships, identifying resources, creating opportunities, and turning vision into organized strategy.
Faith & Community Leadership
A ministry rooted in purpose and service.
“Authentic. Intense. Endearing. Chosen.”
In his foreword, Pastor Ellis reflects on years of witnessing Nefertiti’s growth as a woman of faith and a leader in the church and community. He describes how the resilience shaped by her life experiences became strength she uses to advocate for young people and stand up for others.
Nefertiti was ordained as a Minister in November 2012 and as an Elder on April 2, 2023. Her ministry journey is rooted in Citadel of Praise in Detroit under Pastor Spencer T. Ellis.
Now based in Georgia, she continues to carry that foundation of faith into her writing, leadership, and commitment to encouraging and serving others.
Explore her books and writing
April 2, 2023
A career of service and strategy
Leadership rooted in people.
Family & Community Liaison
Led family engagement, workshops, outreach, resource connections, and community partnerships at Barber Preparatory Academy—generating more than 250 prospective-student enrollment leads.
Great Start Collaborative—Wayne County
Supported parent leadership, family engagement, trauma-informed care, and resource coordination through relationship-centered approaches.
Founder & President of Essentials to Life
Founded in 2014, Essentials to Life assists underserved communities, youth and young adults experiencing homelessness or unstable environments, and families in need. The nonprofit provides essential resources, mentorship, workforce readiness, life-skills development, leadership opportunities, employment support, workshops, and community partnerships that help young people thrive.
Executive Business Consultant
Through The Very Essence of You, LLC, supports leaders and organizations with strategic planning, branding, nonprofit development, grant readiness, and organizational infrastructure.
Recognition and preparation
Experience backed by continued growth.
Nefertiti studied sociology and social work at the University of Michigan and has pursued training in grant writing, Mental Health First Aid, supporting families experiencing homelessness, and related community leadership disciplines.
Bridge Builder Award
Recognizing her ability to connect people, organizations, and opportunity.
Certified Black-Owned Business
Entrepreneurial leadership grounded in service, strategy, and community impact.
One woman. Multiple expressions of purpose.
I AM NEFERTITI brings her businesses, authorship, experience, and evolving vision together under one name.