Shirley Burch is the founder of Community United for Progress (C.U.P.).

Shirley Burch was born January 1 in Sylacauga, Alabama to David and Hattie Demps and one older sister, Irene. Mrs. Burch moved to Detroit at the age of 3 and became a product of the Detroit Public School (DPS) system graduating from Davidson Elementary, Cleveland Middle, and John J. Pershing High School. It was there at Pershing she would meet her high school sweetheart and marry Bobbie Burch (late). As a result of this union, three sons were born: Deitrich, Donzell, and De Vanne. Bobbie and Shirley share a host of grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Shirley’s career was of humble beginnings. While working at Brass Craft Manufacturing, she graduated Valedictorian from Detroit Cosmetology College. She later would work for DPS under Dr. Arthur Jefferson, Detroit’s first black superintendent, as an aid, crossing guard, Pershing Band Parent Club member and finally driver for student transportation. While working at the Eastside Student Bus Terminal, she created an organization called Detroit B.E.S.T. Can Do! (Board of Education Student Transportation). With Detroit B.E.S.T. Can Do!, Shirley would venture into schools, businesses and organizations explaining the importance of school bus safety through presentation. She implemented the first Detroit B.E.S.T. bus float in the famous Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade. Mrs. Burch retired in 2004.

Shirley has always been active in her community, but in spring of 1998 she would make it official. Community United for Progress (C.U.P.) was birthed out of Lomax AME Zion Church, under the leadership of Rev. Joel Miles, and became a 501.C3 non-profit organization. Over the years, she would form several longstanding partnerships: Sam Shina and The Shina Family Supermarket chain, Tom Petzold and The Belmont Shopping Center, Luther Keith with A.R.I.S.E Detroit, grants for Dad Butler Park renovations with Randy McNeil and Carla Giles, Think Detroit, Mike Illitch (late), Wayne County Sheriffs, Detroit Police, and Michigan State Police among many others.

In collaboration with the aforementioned partnerships and others, through C.U.P., Shirley has been able to provide educational programs, health programs, career training, field trips, and back to school supplies to over 7,000 children and adults, distribute Thanksgiving Day food baskets to over 400 families annually, organize an annual Neighborhood Day, renovate Dad Butler Park from its desolate state to an Able To Play park with pavilions, baseball field and run path for numerous community families, organize the first soccer team for black youth with Think Detroit, and so much more!

As a long time member of Peace Missionary Baptist Church, Shirley Burch has held several positions in the community and received numerous awards. To name a few, she was the first to receive the Community Citizens Award from The Federal Bureal of Investigation (FBI). She was named Top 100 Most Influential People in Detroit. She received recognition from the Mayor’s Office for community service. Currently a Prayer Warrior and usher, Shirley has served in the choir and as a dedicated youth ministry coordinator.

Today, Shirley continues to effectively support her community through C.U.P. Her most recent campaign of “Keep Detroit Beautiful” signs placed around the city and partnering businesses remind Detroiter’s to care for their city and neighborhoods. She currently is elected Detroit Police Commissioner (2017) of District 3 for the Northeast 11th Precinct and also serves as Chaplin for The Dequindre Good Neighbor Block Club.

Shirley Burch still resides in Detroit and allows her light to so shine throughout her city of Detroit.