Deyanira is a proud Lansing resident, the daughter of farmworkers, and a first-generation college graduate who understands firsthand the challenges working families face. She brings a deep commitment to equity, justice, and community empowerment—values shaped by her lived experience and her years of service in both academia and public life.Deyanira serves as an Assistant Professor in the Urban and Regional Planning Program at Michigan State University, where her research and teaching focus on housing justice and planning with and for historically marginalized communities. Prior to joining MSU, she worked in California as a researcher focusing on housing and homelessness—efforts rooted in her dedication to making sure everyone has access to safe, stable, and dignified housing.Her academic work has been published in national journals, and she is a sought-after voice on issues of housing justice and planning. In addition to her teaching and scholarship, Deyanira serves on the Lansing School District Board of Education, where she has fought for investments that meet the needs of all students.
Deyanira believes local government should be transparent, accountable, and focused on delivering real results for the people it serves. She’s running for City Council to fight for affordable housing, safer more family friendly parks and neighborhoods, and more opportunities for Lansing’s youth and working families.
At the heart of everything she does is her family. Deyanira lives in Lansing’s Ward 2 with her husband Richard and their two sons, Carlos and Juan. They are the reason she fights—for a future where every family has the support they need to thrive.Meet DeyaniraDeyanira Nevarez Martinez is a mother, educator, and community advocate running for Lansing City Council to bring bold, people-centered leadership to Ward 2.
