LaTrice McClendon, a dynamic and influential leader in both the corporate and community spheres, joined Knight Foundation in August 2023 to serve as director of  the Detroit program. In this role she spearheads Knight’s work aimed at supporting and nurturing a portfolio of projects that celebrate Detroit’s diverse culture and empower residents, and is actively engaged in seeking innovative approaches to drive impact. With her wealth of experience spanning decades in both the public and private sectors, complemented by her lifetime residency in Detroit, McClendon has what it takes to uplift neighborhoods across the city.

Previously, McClendon served as the market executive and community president of Detroit for Huntington Bank, overseeing a billion-dollar strategic community plan. Her focus on equitable outcomes in affordable housing, small business, financial literacy and community lending has made a lasting impact on the city. Prior to that, she was appointed by the mayor of Detroit to help promote community development and enhance the quality of life in various neighborhoods. 

In 2022, she was elected to the Detroit Public School Board, where she champions access to quality education for every child in Detroit. 

McClendon actively serves on several boards, including the Coalition for Temporary Housing (COTS), Coleman A. Young Foundation, Michigan Association of School Boards and Black Leaders Detroit. She was also appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the Black Leadership Advisory Commission.