Laura L. Chavez-Wazeerud-Din

My name is Laura Chavez-Wazeerud-Din, I am President and CEO of Southwest Detroit Business Association.  I have worked as a Vice President in Banking for Comerica Bank & AVP at Flagstar Bank.  I have always had a passion for helping the BIPOC Community. I realized at an early age there was a lack of bilingual teachers in the Detroit educational system. With the goal of increasing the rate of bilingual graduates, I continued my academic career at Wayne State University College of Education with a bilingual bicultural endorsement.  

I have dedicated over 25 years of  my life to strengthening the BIPOC Community and I’m ready to work 25 more. From working with Southwest Solutions, Mexican Town Community Development Corporation, to  The Henry Ford Health system, Family Assistance for Renaissance Men (F.A.R.M.), & New St Paul Head Start; I have always focused on spreading resources about health, financial literacy, business basics and education. I have provided free educational workshops and volunteered countless hours. I bring topics like homebuyer education, neighborhood pride and beautification, legacy building and lifelong fundamentals to communities in need. I have served as a community development liaison, and Diversity Equity and Inclusion Ambassador for previous employers.

While in banking, I have been given a larger role in bringing awareness to issues in the Hispanic Community and creating platforms for change.  I always find a way to use my voice and bring resources to communities that would not normally have access to equal opportunities.  I am a recent graduate of Leadership Detroit XLII (June 2022), where I made a commitment to champion for the city of Detroit.

After over 8 years in banking, being one of a handful of Latina executives at many conferences, I realized that I could be a positive example for others.  In June of 2018 I began the work required to found the Hispanic Employee Relations Group at Flagstar Bank, which launched on February 15, 2019.  Where I served as Co-chair until my departure in 2022.  Upon joining Comerica Bank, I immediately began working with their diversity equity and inclusion team.  I was quickly nominated as Co-chair of the Comerica “Mi Gente” Employee Resource Group.  

I serve on several non-profit boards such as Detroit Chamber Music, W.A.Y. Academy, Bound Together, Michigan Chapter of Prospanica and Detroit Black MBA.  In 2020 I was awarded “Role model of the year award” from Alternatives for girls, this was an unexpected honor.  Last year the National Black MBA of Detroit  honored me with the “Diversity Champaign Award”.  This year I will be presented with the “Clement Kern Social Impact Award” from Southwest Solutions.  It is my lifelong passion to continually advocate for the BIPOC Community.  With my leadership, experience and passion, I know I have what it takes to propel our community’s forward.