Business

Douglass J. Diggs, Detroit Businessman and Small Business Advocate, dies at 55

MICHIGAN CHRONICLE — Detroit businessman and real estate developer Douglass Johnston Diggs died today from complications after suffering a massive stroke on May 16, 2019. He was 55. Diggs, President and CEO of the Diggs Group Heritage developed and implemented numerous economic development projects in the City of Detroit. The Diggs Group Heritage has negotiated over $760 million in development agreements and secured $22 million in project financing resulting in $71 million in new residential and commercial development.

Published

7 years ago

June 2, 2019

Patreice A. Massey

By Patreice A. Massey

Detroit businessman and real estate developer Douglass Johnston Diggs died today from complications after suffering a massive stroke on May 16, 2019. He was 55.

Diggs, President and CEO of the Diggs Group Heritage developed and implemented numerous economic development projects in the City of Detroit. The Diggs Group Heritage has negotiated over $760 million in development agreements and secured $22 million in project financing resulting in $71 million in new residential and commercial development.

More important to him was the work he did to create workforce opportunities in the City. He loved Detroit and Detroiters and saw it as his mission to create opportunities for minority businesses to engage and thrive in the City’s growth.

Diggs was the catalyst for a variety of programs to boost minority business development in the City including the Detroit Community Loan Fund, Michigan Statewide Minority Business Development Center and the Detroit Entrepreneurship Institute. Most recently, he was responsible for creating and implementing the Business and Workforce Participation and Outreach Plan for the Little Caesars Arena and The District Detroit to ensure that Detroit businesses and residents participate in the construction of the project.

Throughout his career Diggs was focused on growing the economy of Detroit. He served as Detroit’s Planning and Development Director and was Director of Business and Economic Development for Detroit Renaissance.

Diggs was born in Detroit in 1964 to Anna Diggs Taylor, the state’s first African American female federal judge, and Charles C. Diggs Jr., who became the first African American elected to Congress from Michigan. His stepfather, S. Martin Taylor, former head of New Detroit and later, Vice President at DTE Energy was a prominent figure in his adolescent and adult life. Diggs credits all of his parents for his work ethic and sense of civic responsibility that became his way of life.

Diggs was a graduate of University of Detroit High School and Wayne State University. He also received his MBA from Davenport University.

He served on the board or in an advisory capacity to a number of organizations including: the Democratic Municipal Officials, National Business League, Detroit Community Loan Fund, Venture Michigan Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Fannie Mae’s House Michigan Advisory Council, Lower Woodward Housing Fund Management Committee, First Independence Bank, Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce, Detroit Brownfield Authority, Detroit Downtown Development Authority, The Detroit Economic Development Corporation, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, University Liggett School, and The Parade Company.

Diggs is survived by his wife, Dr. Shauna Ryder Diggs and daughters Jaqueline Exyie Diggs and Alexandra Anna Diggs, sister Carla Diggs Smith and stepfather S. Martin Taylor.

A public visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 pm on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at Swanson Funeral Home, Northwest Chapel,14751 West McNichols Road in Detroit. The funeral service will take place at Plymouth United Church of Christ, 600 Warren Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201 on Friday, May 24, 2019 at 11:00 am.; preceded by a family hour that day at 10:00 am.

This article originally appeared in the Michigan Chronicle.

Patreice A. Massey

Posts by Patreice A. Massey

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Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

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1 week ago

March 22, 2026

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Advice

Financial Wellness and Mental Health: Managing Money Stress in College 

While everyone’s financial situation is unique, several common sources of stress have the potential to strain your financial health. These include financial and economic uncertainty, existing debts, unexpected expenses, and mental or physical health changes. Financial stress may differ from situation to situation, but understanding the factors contributing to yours may help you begin to craft a plan for your unique circumstances.

Published

2 weeks ago

March 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Sponsored by JPMorganChase

As a college student, managing financial responsibilities can be stressful.

If you’ve found yourself staying up late thinking about your finances or just feeling anxious overall about your financial future, you’re not alone. In one survey, 78% of college students who reported financial stress had negative impacts on their mental health, and 59% considered dropping out. While finances can impact overall stress, taking steps to manage your finances can support your mental, emotional and physical well-being.

When it comes to money, the sources of stress may look different for each student, but identifying the underlying causes and setting goals accordingly may help you feel more confident about your financial future.

Consider these strategies to help improve your financial wellness and reduce stress.

Understand what causes financial stress

2. Determine your financial priorities

Start by reflecting on your financial priorities. For students this often includes paying for school or paying off student loans, studying abroad, saving for spring break, building an emergency fund, paying down credit card debt or buying a car. Name the milestones that are most important to you, and plan accordingly.

3. Create a plan and stick to it

While setting actionable goals starts you on the journey to better financial health, it’s essential to craft a plan to follow through. Identifying and committing to a savings plan may give you a greater sense of control over your finances, which may help reduce your stress. Creating and sticking to a budget allows you to better track where your money is going so you may spend less and save more.

4. Pay down debt

Many students have some form of debt and want to make progress toward reducing their debt obligations. One option is the debt avalanche method, which focuses on paying off your debt with the highest interest rate first, then moving on to the debt with the next-highest interest rate. Another is the debt snowball method, which builds momentum by paying off your smallest debt balance, and then working your way up to the largest amounts.

5. Build your financial resilience

Some financial stress may be inevitable, but building financial resilience may allow you to overcome obstacles more easily. The more you learn about managing your money, for instance, the more prepared you’ll feel if the unexpected happens. Growing your emergency savings also may increase resilience since you’ll be more financially prepared to cover unexpected expenses or pay your living expenses.

6. Seek help and support

Many colleges have resources to help students experiencing financial stress, like financial literacy courses or funds that provide some assistance for students in need. Talk to your admissions counselor or advisor about your concerns, and they can direct you to sources of support. Your school’s counseling center can also be a great resource for mental health assistance if you’re struggling with financial stress.

The bottom line

Financial stress can affect college students’ health and wellbeing, but it doesn’t have to derail your dreams. Setting smart financial goals and developing simple plans to achieve them may help ease your stress. Revisit and adjust your plan as needed to ensure it continues to work for you, and seek additional support on campus as needed to help keep you on track.

 JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC