Maurice Imhoff

Maurice Mykel Imhoff (born 30 October 2001) is an American human rights activist with a focus on youth rights advocacy. In 2020, Imhoff was appointed by Mayor Derek Dobies to serve as a commissioner for the Human Relations Commission and Historic District Commission of Jackson, Michigan. To date, he is the youngest politician in Jackson, Michigan history to be appointed to serve in a City Commissioner position.
Within the same year, he co-founded the Jackson County Historical Society along with historians Linda Hass, Ted O’Dell, Scott Slagor, and Shelly Kasprzycki. Imhoff currently serves as the president of this organization, which was created to preserve the history of Jackson County, Michigan. 
Starting in 2021, Imhoff earned an internship position at the National Museum of American History|Smithsonian National Museum of American History where he worked alongside the Curator of the Division of Cultural and Community Life as well as the Division of Political and Military History. Notably, he is the youngest person to ever be accepted into this program. 
Impressively, Imhoff was hired in March of 2021 as a historian and paid actor by Boots and Saddles Productions to work on the set of the Apple TV Show Dickinson (TV series), season three. For this experience, he traveled to New York City to teach actors and assistant directors the methods of recreating an accurate civil war battle. He gave instruction on marching formations, historical battle tactics, and more. He also made an appearance in the show as an extra. 
Being an advocate for youth rights, Imhoff became a leader within the National Youth Rights Association. Furthermore, he became an advisor for the City of Jackson’s Youth Council in March of 2021. This organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life of the youth of Jackson, Michigan. 
Imhoff has been recognized and featured in a variety of publications and media outlets for his activism and community service efforts. In March of 2021, he was featured in USA Today for “Remembering the United States Colored Troops who helped win the American Civil War|Civil War.” 
In April 2021, The Neighbors of Jackson Magazine wrote a three-page biographical encounter of his life, and this was published. The National Park Service recognized Imhoff for his research and established two new Underground Railroad (URR) Network to Freedom Sites. 
The The Brooklyn Exponent Newspaper featured Imhoff for his volunteer work in June of 2021 regarding his research of Michigan’s civil war battle flags and recognizing him for becoming the youngest Commissioner for the City of Jackson. In February of 2021, he was interviewed on the 910 AM Superstation (WFDF) radio station for his successful volunteer project raising $3,200 for two memorial highway signs to be placed in Detroit, Michigan. 
== Early Life ==
Maurice Mykel Imhoff was born on 30 October 2001 and was raised in Michigan to mother Beth Imhoff-O’Neill and father Thomas Durham. He lived his early childhood in Williamston, Michigan until 2009 when his family moved to Lansing, Michigan. In 2014, they moved to Jackson, Michigan where they have been settled ever since. 
He graduated from Northwest Community Schools in 2021 and attended online courses through Columbia University|Columbia University-New York. He is presently participating in an internship at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C|Washington, D.C. 
== Activism ==
=== Reduce Youth Violence ===
Imhoff partnered with a local chapter of Everytown for Gun Safety|Moms Demand Action & Save Our Youth, which is an organization dedicated to reducing youth violence as well as violence against youth. After a devastating event where a local 14-year-old was killed due to gun violence, Imhoff recognized the increase of violent crimes involving individuals 25 years and under. At this time, he made reducing violence a top priority and hopes to inspire his generation to become more involved in this cause.
=== Youth Advocacy and Rights ===
As a prominent leader in the National Youth Rights Association (NYRA), Imhoff is an unrelenting advocate for youth rights. It is his firm belief that the youth of the nation should be consulted more with policies and laws that are enacted. As such, he is committed to ensuring equal rights for people of all ages and diminishing the harmful mindset of age discrimination. To further these efforts, he is an advisor for the City of Jackson’s Youth Council which empowers young people to make important community decisions and changes. 
== Political Career ==
=== City of Jackson, Michigan Commissioner ===
Imhoff presently serves as a commissioner for the City of Jackson, Michigan Human Relations Commission, and the Historic District Commission. One of his major projects within this role is to draft a Civilian Police Oversight Commission ordinance to monitor and improve the conduct of local police officers. 
Furthermore, he has been vocal in promoting the history of the 102nd United States Colored Troops. In fact, he spearheaded fundraising events to purchase signs to recognize and mark the 102nd United States Colored Troops Memorial Interstate 375 (Michigan)|Highway on I-375 in addition to a replica regimental battle flag. 
State representative, Julie Alexander (politician)|Julie Alexander, was reported saying, “Maurice has invested his time and efforts to study and preserve Michigan’s rich history. I am so glad he was able to visit the House of Representatives today as we recognize his work and the history he strives to preserve and promote.” This quote took place after Alexander resolved to commemorate the 102nd U.S. Colored Troops in 2021. 
On 9 June 2021, Imhoff was also notably recognized by the Michigan|State of Michigan House of Representatives in the House of Chambers at the Michigan State Capitol for his independent research on local history as well as the 102nd United States Colored Troops. At this event, Alexander was also quoted to say, “An accomplished young man from Jackson who has invested his time and efforts to study and preserve Michigan’s rich history.” 
=== Democratic Panelist ===
Imhoff serves as a panelist for the Voice and Votes: Democracy in America Smithsonian Institution exhibition. This event was in collaboration with the Queen Anne’s County Historical Society. 
== Honor and Rewards ==
State of Michigan Special Tribute Award, Independent Research and History Preservation, 2021
State Command Sergeant Major Coin of Excellence, Leadership, 2021
State of Michigan Special Tribute Award, Historical Fundraising Efforts, 2021
Category:2001 births
Category:American human rights activists