The
DDJ Fund

Dennis was born on March 8, 1945, to Dennis and Marjorie Dowdell in Pontiac, Michigan. After graduating from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, IN, he studied education, history, and political science at his beloved Central State University. His commitment to his alma mater was steadfast. For God. For Central. For State.

 

He continued his educational pursuits, attending Cleveland State University - Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctorate Degree.

 

While in Law School, Dennis was introduced to the beautiful Equinetta “Precious” Cox on a blind date in Cleveland, Ohio. Dennis and Precious went on to have three daughters, Malaika, Arianne, and Cicely.

 

As their family grew, Dennis and Precious embarked on a wonderful journey that took them from the Midwest to the East Coast and back again. Dennis’ early law career afforded him the opportunity to work for Legal Aid, followed by time with the Department of Labor under President Carter, where he advocated for substantive rights for Coal Miners in the passage of the Black Lung Benefits Reform Act. From there, his career transitioned into Human Resources with roles at The American Can Company, Henry Ford Health System, The Longaberger Basket Company, and his consulting firm, Lanyap Squared. He once described his position as Executive Director of The Executive Leadership Council's (ELC) Institute for Leadership Development & Research as a dream job.  He retired from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in 2011.

 

Brotherhood and friendship were essential pillars in his life. He was a very proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (initiated into the Eta Gamma Chapter), and he held his membership in the Sigma Pi Phi (Gamma Rho) fraternity very near to his heart.

 

He advocated for African American men and was a mentor to many. He was the recipient of numerous awards and commendations and served on many national non-profit boards of directors (Vice-Chair, National Alzheimer's Association; President Emeritus, 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit; Chair, BEEP Program, National Urban League - recipient of BEEP's Lifetime Achievement Award), and a recipient of the National Urban League's most prestigious recognition, The Whitney M. Young Award, for a career of distinguished service to the National Urban League.

 

While his professional and service accomplishments are admirable, his family will most miss his infectious laugh, questionable singing, excellent fried fish, fierce love of community, always sage advice, and the fact that he never ever met a stranger.

 

Dennis was preceded in death by his wife, Precious. He is survived by daughters Malaika Dowdell, Arianne Dowdell, and Cicely Dowdell-Smith (LonDee) and siblings Natalie Baker, Gary (Nicole) Dowdell, Katherine (Spencer) Disher, and Phillip (Leslie) Dowdell. The most important position in his life was being "Grandpa D," and his legacy lives on through grandchildren Morgan, Collin, Addison, Shaw, and Spencer.