Chet M. Pitts Sr.: The Detroit Visionary Using Purpose-Driven Innovation to Uplift His Community Through MET PLUS

By Tammy Reese | Tuesday, June 10, 2025 | 10:00 AM EDT

For Chet M. Pitts Sr., leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about transformation. As a proud Detroit native, community advocate, and co-founder of MET PLUS, Chet has spent his life addressing societal issues at the root. With a unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering faith, he’s redefining what it means to serve, empower, and innovate for the greater good.

Armed with a Master’s degree, lived experience, and a deep love for his city, Chet has created impactful programs that support intergenerational growth — from youth mentorship to senior care. His groundbreaking invention, The Bias Detector, is poised to revolutionize leadership accountability by targeting unconscious and ill-intent bias in positions of power.

In this Vision & Purpose Lifestyle Magazine feature, Chet opens up about turning pain into purpose, why discomfort is necessary for growth, and how MET PLUS is creating a sustainable blueprint for community restoration — one bold step at a time.

What inspired you to co-found MET PLUS, and how has your personal journey shaped the organization’s mission?

Chet: My journey has always been about resilience and restoration. Co-founding MET PLUS was personal — I saw firsthand how people in our community lacked not just resources, but real advocacy. I’ve experienced loss, challenges, and triumphs, and every part of that has fueled my commitment to build a platform that uplifts others. MET PLUS exists because I refused to let pain silence purpose.

Your motto about growth and discomfort is powerful — how do you personally navigate moments of discomfort in leadership?

Chet: I lean into discomfort because I’ve learned it’s a signal for transformation. Leadership isn’t about ease — it’s about enduring the process that makes you stronger. In those hard moments, I reflect, pray, and remember that progress and comfort rarely coexist.

Tell us about your groundbreaking invention, “The Bias Detector.” What inspired its creation, and what impact do you hope it will have in leadership spaces?

Chet: The Bias Detector was born from watching bias erode trust and equity in the workplace. It’s a tool that doesn’t just expose unconscious bias — it prompts accountability. My goal is to help leaders build more conscious, inclusive environments by making the invisible visible.

As a Detroit native, what does it mean to you to give back to the community where you were raised?

Chet: It means everything. Detroit raised me. This city gave me grit, heart, and purpose. Giving back is not a duty — it’s my personal vow to uplift the very streets that built my character.

What societal challenges do you feel are most overlooked, and how is MET PLUS addressing them differently?

Chet: Generational poverty, lack of workforce preparation, and the isolation of our seniors are often overlooked. MET PLUS takes a holistic approach — intergenerational programming, vocational training, and emotional support systems and bridging the gap between youth and seniors to address root causes, not just symptoms.

How has your background in entrepreneurship influenced your approach to nonprofit leadership and community advocacy?

Chet: Entrepreneurship taught me to be resourceful, agile, and mission-driven. I brought those principles into MET PLUS. We run our nonprofit like a purpose-powered enterprise — sustainable, innovative, and always focused on long-term impact.

What’s been one of the proudest or most memorable moments in your leadership journey with MET PLUS so far?

Chet: When we acquired the building for our Senior Village project, it was a divine moment. My wife and I weren’t expecting it. We were caring for our neighbor, who was a veteran battling cancer and abandoned by loved ones. At the same time of taking care of our neighbor we were giving back to the community. A friend of ours told another Veteran family about the work we do in the community and they decided to donate an apartment building to us. They stated they wanted to help someone outside of their circle that's doing something positive within the community. We knew we didn’t want anything to benefit ourselves but benefit people just like our neighbor. That moment confirmed that MET PLUS is more than a vision — it’s a movement.

What advice would you give to young leaders or change-makers hoping to create sustainable impact in their communities?

Chet: Start where you are. Be consistent. Don’t chase attention — chase purpose. Impact is built in the trenches, not the spotlight. And never forget: your presence is powerful.

Learn more here: https://www.metplus.org/

About Tammy Reese

Owner of Visionary Minds Public Relations and Media, Tammy Reese is an award-winning writer and journalist best known for landing major interviews with Angela Bassett, Sharon Stone, Sigourney Weaver, Laurence Fishburne, Geena Davis, Billy Porter, Morris Chestnut, Nelly, Mona Scott Young, Giancarlo Esposito, Luke Evans, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jennifer Connelly, Joseph Sikora, Meagan Good, Leon, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Phylicia Rashad, Omar Epps, Courtney Kemp, Vivica A Fox, Ryan Coogler, and so many more.

She is a proud member of ForbesBLK as well as New York Women in Film and Television.

Other articles by Tammy Reese in Vision & Purpose LifeStyle Magazine.