Intersections: Detroit

“Community is people watching your rhythm” – Satori Shakoor

Detroit: A city of deep history, a people driven by resilience and hustle – experience the city through the diverse voices of its people, understand and immerse yourself in the city's personality through the purpose–driven narratives shared by Detroiters. 

Featuring the voices of: Satori Shakoor, Giizhigad/Christy Bieber, Adnan ...

“Our strength is stronger when we work together.” – John J.George

Detroit is a city where knowledge of the past fuels today’s reimagining – an evolution built from strength and a creative, mobilization of community. In this Chapter, Detroiters focus on their love, understanding, and commitment to the city – a passionate collaboration to create a meaningful future for t...

“When there's someone in need, there are those that respond.” – Pamela Good

Knowledge and education are the roads to self–discovery and understanding a  world beyond. In Detroit the challenge to celebrate the written word and build a new landscape of universal literacy takes many forms… in this chapter seasoned campaigners and visionary youth leaders explore the spaces where they seek to have real impact a...

“Culture is not complete if you don’t have all the components in it. You have to have the dance, the music, the language, the taste, and the feel.” – Fatou–Seydi S. Sarr

The human desire to express our ideas through creative practice is one of the bedrocks of the City. Detroit has navigated its many pasts and its most hopeful future through the power of spoken word, jazz, motown and techno, painting,...

"Speramus meliora; resurget cineribus"– We hope for better things; it will rise from the ashes – Motto of the City of Detroit 

Survival is life in Detroit. In the face of multiple challenges the people of the city continue to stand tall. The city’s collective resilience is unwavering.  The narrative of the city is defined by its north star: self–determination. 

Featuring the voices of: Bryan ...

“Being silent in Detroit is not an option.” – Rashida Tlaib 

What leads us to acts of service? Purpose can be the foundation of the change we wish to see. In Detroit those who choose to serve and elevate others, advocate for community equity, and inspire action for a better tomorrow define the spaces where significant societal change is created. 

Featuring the voices of: Rashida Tlaib, ...

“Big up to everybody in Detroit that’s making an impact or trying to make an impact, even the ones we don’t see.”– Larry Austin 

From the sidewalk to the local grocery store everyday people in Detroit create opportunities for us to witness the extraordinary transformation in our societies built by those who just do… accolades, titles & awards don't drive these people… their vision is a society where serv...

“Every human being born is powered. It’s a matter of enabling and awakening to your power.” – Rev.  Larry L. Simmons 

Faith is active belief and is manifest in the hope that a better future is possible through collaborative engagement. Listen to Detroiters who are inspired by the spiritual to guide them in delivering purpose to the streets, neighborhoods and communitie...

“Detroit is America. I’ll keep fighting for it.” – Rochelle Riley

Detroit’s unique identity creates opportunities for its residents to reimagine and create a new vision of belonging… built from the ashes of post–industrial decline, its people display a gritty vision of a future sculpted from hard won victories of hustle and resilience.

Featuring the voices of: Zina Davis, Carlos Neilbock, Lauren Hood, Eric L. Miller,...

“Detroit has a soul… that’s the power of it to me. It’s very unique and very progressive in so many ways.” – Carmen N’Namdi

Detroit is a Phoenix – its fire is lit through human diversity – its ideas and creativity define its possibility and future.  This final chapter brings together multiple narratives to spread the wisdom of the “D” far beyond the Motor City… 

Featuring the voices of: Ca...