Recognizing Young Active Citizens within Michigan and Beyond since 1955.

What is Outstanding Young Michigander?

The Michigan Junior Chamber’s Outstanding Young Michigander (OYM) Program was started in 1955 to recognize outstanding community leaders age 18 to 40 years old from around the state of Michigan.  

The program honors up to five (5) Outstanding Young Michiganders annually, who exemplify the best attributes of the state’s young people. Honorees selected in past years have represented the heights of progress in all human endeavors. Many have gone on to even greater achievements. All have continued to serve humanity in a great variety of ways.

The Outstanding Young Michigander award recognizes young people in the following 10 categories:

• Business, Economic, and/or Entrepreneurial Accomplishment
• Political, Legal, and/or Governmental Affairs
• Academic Leadership and/or Accomplishment
• Cultural Achievement
• Moral and/or Environmental Leadership
• Contribution to Children, World Peace, and/or Human Rights
• Humanitarian and/or Voluntary Leadership
• Scientific and/or Technological Development
• Personal Improvement and/or Accomplishment
• Medical Innovation

Honorable Mentions of Previous Award Recipients:

Debbie Stabenow – U.S. Senator from Michigan (2001-2025)

Jennifer Granholm – Governor of Michigan (2003 – 2011), U.S. Secretary of Energy (2021 – Present)

Mike Duggan – Mayor of Detroit (2014 – Present)

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley – Lieutenant Governor of Michigan (2011 – 2019)