September 7, 2024 • 30 mins
City of Detroit Neighborhood Beautification Program offers block clubs, neighborhood associaitons, non-profit organizations and faith based orgranizations up to $15,000 in grants fo rimprivements to improve the lifes in tehtheir communities.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Light Up the D focus on what's happening
in our community from the people who make it happen.
Here's your host, iHeartMedia Detroit Market President Colleen Grant.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Good morning and welcome to today's episode of Light Up
the D. I'm your host, Colleen Grant, Thanks for joining
us today. Today I have three guests. They're amazing people
because they're helping people throughout the Detroit community. And boy
do I love talking to people helping people. So today
we are specifically discussing the Detroit for Life campaign, so
we're all going to learn what good works and deeds
(00:34):
they're doing for that campaign. It promotes a variety of
c programs and initiatives through which Detroiters can get help
to beautify their neighborhood, open a business, gain employment, pursue
a career, maybe get home repairs or assistants in buying
a home, earn free college tuition, and a ton more
and all because you live in Detroit. Hey, we like
(00:57):
that live in Detroit, get some help, create a great neighborhood,
help each other. So today we have Vicky Thomas, she's
the director of Communications for the City of Detroit. We
have Ilia Hardy. He is the creative director for the
City of Detroit. And we have Tammy Black who is
with the Neighborhood Beautification Program. She's the spokesperson of the
Neighborhood Beautification Program.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Welcome, Vicky, Ilia and Tammy. Thanks for joining me today.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Thank you Kyle for having us.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Well, let's jump right in.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Let's tell people what is the Detroit for Life program?
What kind of programs fall under Detroit for Life so
everybody understands the wide spectrum of great works.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
You guys are doing well.
Speaker 5 (01:36):
We started out Colleen coming up with the theme Detroit for
Life number one, and the Mayor loved the concept of.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Detroit for Life.
Speaker 5 (01:44):
We want to keep Detroiters in Detroit for Life and yes,
as a result, we want to give them reasons why
they should be a Detroiter. If you're not move into
the city to take advantage of some of these programs.
If you are a detroiter, state here and get the
assistance that you need. For instance, when we kicked off
(02:05):
the campaign, we highlighted our Learned to Earn program with
the two participants who took advantage of that program, and
we highlighted them in our Detroit for Life marketing campaign
so that other people could say, Wow, if Misty did this,
then so can I. I can, you know, get my
(02:25):
ged and earn money while I'm doing it, learn to
earn I mean, that's.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
Just awesome, right.
Speaker 5 (02:33):
So we highlight many of the programs that were created
as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA,
and many cities Colleen actually used the money that they
received from the federal government through those ARPA funds to
plug holes in their budget coming out of COVID, but
(02:54):
Mayor Mike dug Into his credit, said, let's use that
money to assist people in our neighborhoods, people in the community,
and whether it's Motor City Match to help you start
your business, or the Neighborhood Beautifilication Program to help beautify
your neighborhood. One of the mayor's themes is Black to Beauty,
(03:14):
and that Neighborhood Beautification grant is certainly helping in that regard.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
I love that. What was it what to blade? Black
to Beauty, Light to Beauty? Yes, I love that.
Speaker 5 (03:28):
And Tammy Black knows all about that because she's creating
some remarkable spaces in her community and that's what this
is all about you know, many times, as you know,
I was a reporter for many years and I covered
so many stories of people found in these blighted lots
and blighted properties. And here we're giving people an opportunity
(03:52):
to take those blighted lots and do good, you know,
for the community. And Tammy's doing just that.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Timmy, I'm just going to throw it right to you, girl.
What's tell us? Tell us some stories. What's going on?
Speaker 6 (04:03):
Well, right now, the Neighborhood Beautification Grant is assisting us
in the grounds for our community Serenity Pavilion, which is
an outdoor cooking space for the community, and that really
welcomes an inclusive space because that's our mission of including
people with disabilities in these spaces. So we're very excited
(04:27):
to every time when people pull up to this used
to be lighted, blighted space, that that our Neighborhood Beautification
has granted us the opportunity to make it beautiful and
invieting for communities to visit.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
And you said cooking outdoors, yes, well who does it
like a good cookout in the park.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
That's amazing.
Speaker 6 (04:48):
And now, yeah, this space has a nice cooking area
which will. It has a smoker, it has a pizza oven,
it has a grill, It has a grillage where they
can grill like uh, surfries and make bacon and pancakes,
(05:09):
and also where they can put their plots and pans
and boil things. And it also has refrigerator and we'll
have running water. You guys have to come and check
it out. And when off of solar power.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
Wow, incredible.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Yeah, so you have me.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
It's smoker, yes, it's a pancakes yes.
Speaker 6 (05:35):
So we have it all there, you know, for the
community and and people outside of the community. Detroiters in
general can come and get the space or have an
event in the space. They're already asking when when can
this happen. We're ready, We're ready.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
But you said something really special, Vicky, you said inclusive,
and Tammy, tell me in what ways it serves a
community with disabilities.
Speaker 6 (05:58):
Well, we have like pathways that'll be for wheelchairs where
they can come in with the chairs. They can have
events there as well, hearing impaired, blind, buril things. So
we're making it inclusive for everyone to be able to enjoy.
So that's very important to us. That's our mission and
everything that we do even our.
Speaker 5 (06:18):
Workforce and we tell her why that's so.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
Important to you.
Speaker 6 (06:23):
That is so important because I'm a mom advocate of
children who have learning disabilities supposedly, and it was my
job as a mom to make it possible for people
who are considered disable to have skill so that they
can live on their own, so they can make their
own well, you know, their own money and do things
(06:45):
that they want to do. So that was very very
important to me, and that's my mission.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
That's super important, the pathway in life to support the
disabled community to have a fulfilled life which is rich
with things to do, like what you're providing in that park.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Yes.
Speaker 7 (07:03):
Yes.
Speaker 5 (07:03):
And another thing you should know about Tammy too is
that she's big on sustainability. One of her lots she
turned into a solar movie theater and I myself, I've
seen it, but I've just got to get out there
to watch a movie one day.
Speaker 6 (07:19):
Yes, and if the power goes out in the community,
our community can come here and plug up. We've also
did we do solar workforce development, so we've graduated our
first corehoord and they're in putting a ground moount at
our house that we fundraise for patronicity. It's the Solar
Training House, so that also we're creating a model of
(07:42):
workforce that's inclusive in the renewable industry.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
So so relevant today, the solar workforce development. What I
just love given the sound of that, because it's the
solar Training House, because it's just such a relevant industry
and you're and then you're putting it into practice in
a perk too, which is amazing.
Speaker 7 (08:01):
Yes, but also incredible too. It's the surrounding neighborhood that
Tammy lives on has She's also introduced solar power to
some of the neighborhoods and some of the homes. And
if it wasn't for Tammy, they wouldn't have this, right.
Who doesn't need renewable energy. It's incredible and it's incredible
what she's done. You can't help but just want to
embrace her every time, because you.
Speaker 6 (08:22):
Guys, I didn't mention the twenty five homes that I
implemented solar on.
Speaker 7 (08:26):
There you go, Tammy, you.
Speaker 6 (08:29):
Got to toot your old horns sometimes, you know what
you and I the reason why I really don't toot
my horn because it's like second nature for me to
do the things that I'm doing and to me, it's
just something that I do every day. And people say,
but you're doing this and this and this and this.
You need to you need to expose that, you need
(08:51):
to tell people about it what I do, But I
just do it in silence, you know.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
Sometimes you know what I mean. And we brought her,
We brought her out into the light.
Speaker 5 (09:03):
Is now all over that the media, social media. She's
on billboards promoting our neighborhood Beautification grant program. And she
is the perfect person, you know, to be our spokesperson
for the neighborhood Beautification grants.
Speaker 7 (09:18):
Oh more than a spokesperson, she's an advocate. I mean
that light is being powered by solar obviously, so at
shines bright no shine for quite some time. Yeah, but
I also wanted to add that you know, this program
is it's pretty incredible. I mean, it's obviously open to
those who have blighted lots in their neighborhood. And you know,
the sign up process is easy. There's people that will
(09:39):
help you in that department, especially for the Neighborhood Beautification
Program department. But if you know, if you're a block club,
if you belong to a block club or a neighborhood
association or a nonprofit organization or brain based organization. You
can apply, you know, up to five to fifteen thousand dollars.
I mean that's that's enough to do a lot, whether
(10:00):
it be cleaning it up, or find a community garden,
or do what Tammy's doing. Right, I mean Tammy has
kind of exploded what anybody's dreams can be for a
empty lot, right, I mean she turned into a movie theater,
you've got a pavilion, you've got to you know, off
the grid home. It's crazy what she's done thus far.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
Thank you.
Speaker 6 (10:21):
And then we have a treehouse center that's coming up
as well for people with disabilities that's ten feet off
the ground, ran off of solar power, relaxed state mental
health where heavy advocates of mental health, where heavy advocates
of financial literacy. So these spaces will be taken as
for by the community to build their confidence and their
(10:42):
wealth as well.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
How many people are we talking about in Detroit who
have participated and benefited from these programs.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
I mean it's sound extensive. What's taking place?
Speaker 5 (10:51):
Well, we can talk about neighborhood beautification. For instance, the
first round which was in the fall of twenty twenty two,
there were thirty six organizations that received grants through the program,
totally almost half a million dollars. They included neighborhoods like
the Berg gloss Or Community Association, the Cross Pollination Corridor Project,
(11:15):
the school Craft Improvement Association, and then when we moved
on twenty twenty three, there were forty five more organizations
that received over six hundred thousand dollars for projects, and
they included the San Juan Block Club, Santa Rosa Block Club,
Tuller Street Block Club, Mohican Regent Homeowners Associations. So a
(11:41):
lot of these block clubs and community associations have been
doing work in the community, you know, forever, and so
this is the city's way of saying, look, we've got
your back. You know, we'll provide five to fifteen thousand
dollars for you to take that blighted lot and turn
it into something beautiful.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
And Tammy's done just that.
Speaker 5 (12:00):
I mean, her gathering spaces are just so inviting. That pavilion,
I mean, you just want to just go and sit
there and you know, and chill a little bit. But
she's really doing great things in the community. So hats
off to you Tammy for a job well done and
no you're not done yet.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
So guys, you guys have talked about the campaign, you know,
to make everybody aware of this. Tell us about that
campaign and what results you've seen from that.
Speaker 7 (12:30):
Well, the results are it's uncandy. I mean, we can't
necessarily say it's all because of the campaign, but we
definitely lit a fire under what's available for Detroit or
for Detroit urs. Right, there's a lot of programs that
you don't see that the cities other cities are offering,
like the free tuition or for college that's huge for
just being a high school graduate, or learn to Earn
(12:51):
program which is kind of run by the Detroit at
Work Facility that has you know, four different piers of
our tiers of learning a new trade. You know, all
types of trades you can think of. Uh So that's
a huge one as well as you know. Uh. Our
last push was for Project clean Slate, which is you know,
if you're if you have a felony, you can have
(13:13):
that expunge, which we all know what could happen if
you have that off your uh you know, you're rating
that you can you know, find better jobs, find a
better occupation as well as get a home for yourself.
So there's a lot of benefits for that. And it's
what's so great, it's, you know, a lot of these
are free. I mean they're all free, especially to learn
(13:34):
to Earn program. They will pay you to learn a trade.
So really can't. Yeah, it's not like here, go to school,
uh you know, do it for six months and then
you're on your own. No, you get prepared, you get
really and you you build this community as well because
the teachers is so uh worthy of uh you know,
or at least friends for life, right, So.
Speaker 5 (13:56):
Yeah, and you're having some measurable benefits of the pro to.
When we launched our campaign focusing on Skills for Life,
the participation rate jumped tremendously. They had so many more
enrollments that they finished out with more enrollments during that
(14:17):
period of our advertising campaign than they did during the
entire year. We also have the one hundred million dollars
scholarship program. One of those is jump Start. That one
is at capacity. And that's one of the things Colleen
about this is that you know, we received eight hundred
and twenty six million dollars in our PA funding and
(14:40):
stood up so many programs. This administration and all of
our cabinet members and directors who work so hard to
come up with these.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
Programs, stand them up.
Speaker 5 (14:49):
I mean, just imagine starting from scratch to do a
program where you can replace the rule of a senior
citizen or somewhat with disabilities.
Speaker 4 (15:00):
That's a huge expense, Like right now, I.
Speaker 5 (15:02):
Need a roof, right yeah, And I mean the quotes
I'm getting are out of this world. So imagine being
on a fixed income, or someone with a disability who's
on a fixed income, or a senior on a fixed income.
How can you possibly afford a roof in your budget
when you're already trying to pay for your prescriptions and
whatnot and just day to day living expenses. So our
(15:25):
renew Detroit program is an amazing program replacing groups, and
unfortunately that program is already at capacity. Down payment assistance
program that's been another hugely successful program where you can
get up to twenty five thousand dollars to buy a
(15:48):
new home. So some first time young people homeowners are
getting that assistance and we're keeping them in Detroit. So
that's the benefit to the city of offering these types
of programs.
Speaker 7 (16:00):
You know, we just put out a fly up too,
So four hundred plus received the assistance for Doubt David,
So wow, quite a number. And it was so successful
that there was a phase too. So you know, we're
trying to find funds, you know, funds. If funds are there,
then we're going to you know, hopefully promote a more
so open up that application.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
That's a lot of people to help get a house
I know, right, yeah, new homeowners in the city. Yeah,
we need to stop down real quick, you guys, because
the stuff you're mentioning that people have access to to
help improve their lives and live in the city and
have it being even better. Maybe they're encountering troubles, like
you said, somebody doesn't have a roof or whatever the
(16:40):
situation may be, where they can get resources.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
Let's give the website.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
So if somebody's like, hey, that's me I need some
help with that, where would they go for sure?
Speaker 7 (16:50):
I mean you can go to Detroit, MI dot gov
forward slash Detroit for Life. If you go to our website,
you can see the opportunities that are available currently right
now that you can sign up for it to a
very simple way to achieve some of these options these
programs as well as you know, other opportunities for you
to skull through the website as well to see some
(17:11):
other opportunities that one the Art of program is offering
and some of the grants that are offering. There's quite
a few. I mean, obviously we're doing a lot for
park improvements. You know, Heart Plaza, we just updated the fountain,
all of these community centers that are popping up all
over Detroit. I mean it's outside of Detroit, but it's
you know, often it's benefiting the residents of Detroit. So
you know, we could we all see the benefits of downtown,
(17:35):
right we saw what has happened. We've seen people come by.
We know that it's been rated number top ten places
to visit. And then not only does it benefit downtown,
but obviously this will will help the residents as well
when it comes to employment and comes to you know,
security and safety and all of that jazz. But like
(17:56):
I said, there's not a whole lot or there's not
many cities that offer through up these programs like Detroit.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (18:02):
One of the things too, Colleen, is that really the
impact is not just downtown, it's all over the city.
If you look at Motor City Match, we have businesses
that have opened up across the city and these major
corridors like the Avenue of Fashion, you know, and it's
just amazing East Warren. There's just so many new businesses
(18:25):
and it's amazing to see and it's amazing to hear
the stories of some of these folks who you know,
may not have had any options to get a business
going had it not been for the assistance from MotorCity Match.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
Tammy, you were I want to just kind of circle
back to you real quick because we were speaking about
your friend Ilia here and your friend VICKI couldn't say
enough things about you.
Speaker 3 (18:53):
How did you even get involved with these two?
Speaker 6 (18:56):
Well, I got in while Will call me and he said,
you're doing such great work. You got in the Neighborhood
of Beautification grant and how would you like to come
on the team and tell about your projects and how
this grant has benefited you from turning blight property into
spaces for the community and people with disabilities and renewable energy.
(19:19):
I said, I would love to Detroit is our city
and we're bringing it back to where it needs to be.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
So give us some personal feeling on like what this
has meant to you and what you've seen happen in
the community, Like why do you love working with Vicky
and Elia in this program.
Speaker 6 (19:37):
It's I love working with with with Vicky and Ilion
in this program because they really care about their department
and the city of Detroit and our mayor really care
about what happens in our communities, care about the people
and making nice spaces other than just being downtown in Detroit,
being in our communities where we live, where we stayed,
(19:59):
doing all of the ins and outs, the bankruptcy, all
of those things. So I am very flattered. I am
very appreciative or our Mayor. I'm very appreciative of the
use to people sitting here in front of me today
for having these things and being able to highlight these
(20:20):
opportunities for us, because just talking about it on paper
or sending an email that's not enough. Everybody don't have Internet,
So to have all of these places, like the radio, billboards,
things of that nature, sharing the information in that way,
more people can find out about what's happening and housing
(20:42):
and things like that, they can go to expungements.
Speaker 8 (20:45):
Those things are very important for our citizens. Here, and
I'm appreciative of that, you know what I mean. It
takes a team, like they say, it takes a village,
and we're a village. So we're doing the work.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
So you you mentioned that people may not have access
to the Internet, and somebody may be listening right now
who doesn't have immediate access to the internet. Their their
phone's not with them or other, but they're thinking, I
need to write down a phone number and make a
phone call later.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
What's the phone number.
Speaker 7 (21:11):
You can reach us at three one three two two
four six three eight zero. That's three one three two
two four six three eight zero.
Speaker 4 (21:20):
And another thing, Colleen, that we're doing.
Speaker 5 (21:22):
We also have a newsletter, the Detroit for Life Newsletter,
and it highlights programs and our thall edition is no
it's summer.
Speaker 4 (21:30):
It's our summer edition is.
Speaker 5 (21:32):
Out now and it's on our website. You can download
the previous issues as well. But it highlights some of
the programs that people can take advantage of, and it's
at that website DETROITMI dot gov forward slash Detroit for Life.
Speaker 3 (21:48):
Vicky, what do you love about what you're doing?
Speaker 5 (21:52):
My goodness, Colleen, when the mayor called me and asked
me if I was ready to switch careers, and he
kind of told me about the storytelling and just letting
people know about all the opportunities that are available to them.
I said, man, this is something that I cannot pass up.
(22:12):
So I made that switch from radio broadcaster to communications
director and marketing campaign leader and it's been amazing. I
mean some of the stories. I'll tell you one that
really got me when I first started. There's a program
called Community Health Core. They're also doing such great work
(22:33):
in the community. This woman that I've highlighted, she was pregnant,
homeless and had nowhere to stay. She was couch surfing basically,
and through Community Healthcore, by the time her baby was born,
she had a new place to live with a beautiful nursery.
(22:54):
She took advantage of some of the career opportunity of
opportunities that we had available, and she's making a great
living now and self supporting and it's just a beautiful thing.
It's just those heartwarming stories that you know I used
to get when I was a reporter, you know, being
able to help someone.
Speaker 4 (23:14):
Now I'm getting it even more.
Speaker 5 (23:17):
It's just almost like you know, opening a fire hose
it's so many people that are benefiting.
Speaker 4 (23:22):
Another great person.
Speaker 5 (23:24):
His name is Preston and he's our spokesperson for the
Detroit Promise. And you talk about a shining star, this
young man has been a great spokes spokesperson for that program.
It's Detroit Promise free college tuition. So that's available to
Detroit or it's free college tuition. Do you know how
much that could change somebody's life?
Speaker 2 (23:46):
Yeah, as somebody's paying for college right now, I sure do.
Speaker 3 (23:51):
Yes, right, I actually really live that every day. So
let's go, Preston, let's yeah.
Speaker 7 (24:00):
Absolutely, I heard you. Yeah, I have two kids graduated
from Michigan State.
Speaker 5 (24:05):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (24:05):
That would have been a nice little program to know,
but I would have moved to Detroit and the heartbeat
if I knew about that.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
Yeah, Vicky, that's the Detroit Promise free college tuition program.
Speaker 4 (24:15):
Yes, yes, And this more Roy problem the website.
Speaker 2 (24:19):
Oh yeah, elliot, what were you gonna say?
Speaker 4 (24:22):
Oh?
Speaker 7 (24:22):
Well, I was gonna jump in and tell you why
I No, I could have jumped the gun a little bit.
Uh No, it's it's really you know, Uh, as as
Vicky had said, it's it's working with the people, hearing
their stories, their two testimonials of you know, successes of
taking advantage of some of the programs that are offered
to them. Uh, you know, it's yeah, Preston was was incredible,
(24:45):
but you had the Missies. That surely is the Tammy's
the Stephens. Uh, you know, We've got so many and
it's really not us telling their stories, them telling uh
their story to us. And that's what makes it so rewarding.
I think that one the benefit the opportunities really just
kind of the give back and and seeing these people
(25:07):
really you know, the growth and the and the gratitude
is incredible. So it's definitely beneficial. It's obviously helps Detroit
as well as the residents of Detroit, and it's it's
an incredible thing to offer something like that knowing that
it could it could change people's lives.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
Well, you wake up in the morning and ready to
go to work because you know, you know, you're making
that difference for people.
Speaker 4 (25:33):
And that's what matters. You know, that really is what
matters when you can.
Speaker 5 (25:36):
Wake up every day and say, how can I make
a difference, whether it's making sure that people can easily
access our website or putting social media content out that
is informative and beneficial to people. That's another one of
the things that I do in my role, Colleen. Outside
of the Detroit for Life marketing campaign, we also tell
(25:59):
these stories in what we call opportunity rising stories, where
we highlight someone who's taken advantage of a program. We
just got finished looking at like three or four videos
we just did about the Grow Detroit Young Talent program
that's putting young people to work during the summer at corporations,
(26:19):
at the city and all over the place, and we're
recruiting employers who want to be part of the program
next year. So it's just really really rewarding. And one
of those stories was about Christina. She participated in GDYT
every summer while she was in college, so this was
(26:41):
her means of earning an income and gaining work experience.
As a result of her having that opportunity, and Sarah
Fisher Center hired her full time and she had been
with them the previous four summers as a GDYT and
now she has a full time job after graduating from college.
Speaker 4 (27:05):
So it's stories like that that really have.
Speaker 5 (27:07):
An impact, you know, in programs. I mean, if we
hadn't created these programs. You know, who knows, you know,
where these people would be now, you know, without the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
The array of programs you guys have talked about is
extensive and covers a wide variety of people's needs. How
many programs would you say, if somebody went on to
Detroit AMI dot gov forward slash Detroit for Life. There's
another plug there, DETROITMI dot gov forward slash Detroit for Life.
If somebody goes on there, how many programs are available
to people?
Speaker 7 (27:37):
Would you say, there's like fifteen categories. Within those fifteen categories,
there's probably a you know, five different types of programs
within that category. So you can do the math. It's
it's pretty high and it spans quite a bit too
when it comes to you know, learning a new career
(28:00):
or you know, making a turning blight to beauty. Uh,
there's so many that that come in between. You know.
We're also working with the Great Divide or Digital Divide.
We're offering free Wi Fi for certain districts, right and
hopefully that's going to be broaden into all districts. Right.
But like you said, it's there's areas in the there's yeah,
(28:20):
there's areas within our city where you know, people can't
afford or just can't don't have access to the internet,
that's going to be available. If anything, it's I think
it's started in five in five districts if I remember correctly.
Speaker 4 (28:34):
That's good.
Speaker 5 (28:34):
We just started a program where we're it's a pilot
program for free Wi Fi in the parks. So there
are five parks, Clark Park is among them where you
can get free Wi Fi and it's meant a world
of difference. Two of the people we talked to were
students and they were talking about how they could, you know,
(28:55):
apply go to the park and apply for college, you know,
as a result of having a free Wi Fi in
the park.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
That's great, boy, what a good service that is. Hey, Tammy,
let's wrap it up with you. I know you're the
spokesperson of the Neighborhood Beautification program. What do you look
forward to seeing happen in these neighborhoods that where you're
actively seeing change take place. What do you want to
see for the community.
Speaker 6 (29:22):
I want to see for the community blighted property chunk
into spaces that the community will gather in and that
will make them feel good when they come out of
their homes and see these beautiful spaces and spaces they
can make use of usable. That's what I would like
to see.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
It's great improve the quality of life for everybody in
the City of Detroit. That's that's what you're working for,
and I'm so happy that we were able to shine
a spotlight on what you guys are doing. We have
been joined today by Tammy Black, who is the Neighborhood
Beautification Program spokesperson. Also by Vicky Thomas, who is the
director of Communications for the City of Detroit, and Iliah
(30:00):
who is the Creative Director for the City of Detroit.
All working together in the Detroit for Life campaign to
improve the lives of those who are living in the
city and those who maybe should be interested in living
in the city with all the wonderful things that are
going on in Detroit. Thank you so much for joining us, Tammy, Vicky,
and Elia. We really appreciate all the good work you're
doing in a support community and build people up and
(30:21):
make better lives for all our neighbors.
Speaker 4 (30:24):
Well, thank you for having us on the program.
Speaker 7 (30:26):
Colleen, much appreciate it, much appreciated.
Speaker 1 (30:30):
This has been light up the d a Community Affairs
program from iHeartMedia Detroit. If your organization would like to
get on the program, email Colleen Grant at iHeartMedia dot com.
Here are all episodes on this station's podcast page.
Welcome to Light Up the D focus on what's happening
in our community from the people who make it happen.
Here's your host, iHeartMedia Detroit Market President Colleen Grant.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Good morning and welcome to today's episode of Light Up
the D. I'm your host, Colleen Grant, Thanks for joining
us today. Today I have three guests. They're amazing people
because they're helping people throughout the Detroit community. And boy
do I love talking to people helping people. So today
we are specifically discussing the Detroit for Life campaign, so
we're all going to learn what good works and deeds
(00:34):
they're doing for that campaign. It promotes a variety of
c programs and initiatives through which Detroiters can get help
to beautify their neighborhood, open a business, gain employment, pursue
a career, maybe get home repairs or assistants in buying
a home, earn free college tuition, and a ton more
and all because you live in Detroit. Hey, we like
(00:57):
that live in Detroit, get some help, create a great neighborhood,
help each other. So today we have Vicky Thomas, she's
the director of Communications for the City of Detroit. We
have Ilia Hardy. He is the creative director for the
City of Detroit. And we have Tammy Black who is
with the Neighborhood Beautification Program. She's the spokesperson of the
Neighborhood Beautification Program.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Welcome, Vicky, Ilia and Tammy. Thanks for joining me today.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Thank you Kyle for having us.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Well, let's jump right in.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Let's tell people what is the Detroit for Life program?
What kind of programs fall under Detroit for Life so
everybody understands the wide spectrum of great works.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
You guys are doing well.
Speaker 5 (01:36):
We started out Colleen coming up with the theme Detroit for
Life number one, and the Mayor loved the concept of.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Detroit for Life.
Speaker 5 (01:44):
We want to keep Detroiters in Detroit for Life and yes,
as a result, we want to give them reasons why
they should be a Detroiter. If you're not move into
the city to take advantage of some of these programs.
If you are a detroiter, state here and get the
assistance that you need. For instance, when we kicked off
(02:05):
the campaign, we highlighted our Learned to Earn program with
the two participants who took advantage of that program, and
we highlighted them in our Detroit for Life marketing campaign
so that other people could say, Wow, if Misty did this,
then so can I. I can, you know, get my
(02:25):
ged and earn money while I'm doing it, learn to
earn I mean, that's.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
Just awesome, right.
Speaker 5 (02:33):
So we highlight many of the programs that were created
as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA,
and many cities Colleen actually used the money that they
received from the federal government through those ARPA funds to
plug holes in their budget coming out of COVID, but
(02:54):
Mayor Mike dug Into his credit, said, let's use that
money to assist people in our neighborhoods, people in the community,
and whether it's Motor City Match to help you start
your business, or the Neighborhood Beautifilication Program to help beautify
your neighborhood. One of the mayor's themes is Black to Beauty,
(03:14):
and that Neighborhood Beautification grant is certainly helping in that regard.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
I love that. What was it what to blade? Black
to Beauty, Light to Beauty? Yes, I love that.
Speaker 5 (03:28):
And Tammy Black knows all about that because she's creating
some remarkable spaces in her community and that's what this
is all about you know, many times, as you know,
I was a reporter for many years and I covered
so many stories of people found in these blighted lots
and blighted properties. And here we're giving people an opportunity
(03:52):
to take those blighted lots and do good, you know,
for the community. And Tammy's doing just that.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Timmy, I'm just going to throw it right to you, girl.
What's tell us? Tell us some stories. What's going on?
Speaker 6 (04:03):
Well, right now, the Neighborhood Beautification Grant is assisting us
in the grounds for our community Serenity Pavilion, which is
an outdoor cooking space for the community, and that really
welcomes an inclusive space because that's our mission of including
people with disabilities in these spaces. So we're very excited
(04:27):
to every time when people pull up to this used
to be lighted, blighted space, that that our Neighborhood Beautification
has granted us the opportunity to make it beautiful and
invieting for communities to visit.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
And you said cooking outdoors, yes, well who does it
like a good cookout in the park.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
That's amazing.
Speaker 6 (04:48):
And now, yeah, this space has a nice cooking area
which will. It has a smoker, it has a pizza oven,
it has a grill, It has a grillage where they
can grill like uh, surfries and make bacon and pancakes,
(05:09):
and also where they can put their plots and pans
and boil things. And it also has refrigerator and we'll
have running water. You guys have to come and check
it out. And when off of solar power.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
Wow, incredible.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Yeah, so you have me.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
It's smoker, yes, it's a pancakes yes.
Speaker 6 (05:35):
So we have it all there, you know, for the
community and and people outside of the community. Detroiters in
general can come and get the space or have an
event in the space. They're already asking when when can
this happen. We're ready, We're ready.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
But you said something really special, Vicky, you said inclusive,
and Tammy, tell me in what ways it serves a
community with disabilities.
Speaker 6 (05:58):
Well, we have like pathways that'll be for wheelchairs where
they can come in with the chairs. They can have
events there as well, hearing impaired, blind, buril things. So
we're making it inclusive for everyone to be able to enjoy.
So that's very important to us. That's our mission and
everything that we do even our.
Speaker 5 (06:18):
Workforce and we tell her why that's so.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
Important to you.
Speaker 6 (06:23):
That is so important because I'm a mom advocate of
children who have learning disabilities supposedly, and it was my
job as a mom to make it possible for people
who are considered disable to have skill so that they
can live on their own, so they can make their
own well, you know, their own money and do things
(06:45):
that they want to do. So that was very very
important to me, and that's my mission.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
That's super important, the pathway in life to support the
disabled community to have a fulfilled life which is rich
with things to do, like what you're providing in that park.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Yes.
Speaker 7 (07:03):
Yes.
Speaker 5 (07:03):
And another thing you should know about Tammy too is
that she's big on sustainability. One of her lots she
turned into a solar movie theater and I myself, I've
seen it, but I've just got to get out there
to watch a movie one day.
Speaker 6 (07:19):
Yes, and if the power goes out in the community,
our community can come here and plug up. We've also
did we do solar workforce development, so we've graduated our
first corehoord and they're in putting a ground moount at
our house that we fundraise for patronicity. It's the Solar
Training House, so that also we're creating a model of
(07:42):
workforce that's inclusive in the renewable industry.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
So so relevant today, the solar workforce development. What I
just love given the sound of that, because it's the
solar Training House, because it's just such a relevant industry
and you're and then you're putting it into practice in
a perk too, which is amazing.
Speaker 7 (08:01):
Yes, but also incredible too. It's the surrounding neighborhood that
Tammy lives on has She's also introduced solar power to
some of the neighborhoods and some of the homes. And
if it wasn't for Tammy, they wouldn't have this, right.
Who doesn't need renewable energy. It's incredible and it's incredible
what she's done. You can't help but just want to
embrace her every time, because you.
Speaker 6 (08:22):
Guys, I didn't mention the twenty five homes that I
implemented solar on.
Speaker 7 (08:26):
There you go, Tammy, you.
Speaker 6 (08:29):
Got to toot your old horns sometimes, you know what
you and I the reason why I really don't toot
my horn because it's like second nature for me to
do the things that I'm doing and to me, it's
just something that I do every day. And people say,
but you're doing this and this and this and this.
You need to you need to expose that, you need
(08:51):
to tell people about it what I do, But I
just do it in silence, you know.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
Sometimes you know what I mean. And we brought her,
We brought her out into the light.
Speaker 5 (09:03):
Is now all over that the media, social media. She's
on billboards promoting our neighborhood Beautification grant program. And she
is the perfect person, you know, to be our spokesperson
for the neighborhood Beautification grants.
Speaker 7 (09:18):
Oh more than a spokesperson, she's an advocate. I mean
that light is being powered by solar obviously, so at
shines bright no shine for quite some time. Yeah, but
I also wanted to add that you know, this program
is it's pretty incredible. I mean, it's obviously open to
those who have blighted lots in their neighborhood. And you know,
the sign up process is easy. There's people that will
(09:39):
help you in that department, especially for the Neighborhood Beautification
Program department. But if you know, if you're a block club,
if you belong to a block club or a neighborhood
association or a nonprofit organization or brain based organization. You
can apply, you know, up to five to fifteen thousand dollars.
I mean that's that's enough to do a lot, whether
(10:00):
it be cleaning it up, or find a community garden,
or do what Tammy's doing. Right, I mean Tammy has
kind of exploded what anybody's dreams can be for a
empty lot, right, I mean she turned into a movie theater,
you've got a pavilion, you've got to you know, off
the grid home. It's crazy what she's done thus far.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
Thank you.
Speaker 6 (10:21):
And then we have a treehouse center that's coming up
as well for people with disabilities that's ten feet off
the ground, ran off of solar power, relaxed state mental
health where heavy advocates of mental health, where heavy advocates
of financial literacy. So these spaces will be taken as
for by the community to build their confidence and their
(10:42):
wealth as well.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
How many people are we talking about in Detroit who
have participated and benefited from these programs.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
I mean it's sound extensive. What's taking place?
Speaker 5 (10:51):
Well, we can talk about neighborhood beautification. For instance, the
first round which was in the fall of twenty twenty two,
there were thirty six organizations that received grants through the program,
totally almost half a million dollars. They included neighborhoods like
the Berg gloss Or Community Association, the Cross Pollination Corridor Project,
(11:15):
the school Craft Improvement Association, and then when we moved
on twenty twenty three, there were forty five more organizations
that received over six hundred thousand dollars for projects, and
they included the San Juan Block Club, Santa Rosa Block Club,
Tuller Street Block Club, Mohican Regent Homeowners Associations. So a
(11:41):
lot of these block clubs and community associations have been
doing work in the community, you know, forever, and so
this is the city's way of saying, look, we've got
your back. You know, we'll provide five to fifteen thousand
dollars for you to take that blighted lot and turn
it into something beautiful.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
And Tammy's done just that.
Speaker 5 (12:00):
I mean, her gathering spaces are just so inviting. That pavilion,
I mean, you just want to just go and sit
there and you know, and chill a little bit. But
she's really doing great things in the community. So hats
off to you Tammy for a job well done and
no you're not done yet.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
So guys, you guys have talked about the campaign, you know,
to make everybody aware of this. Tell us about that
campaign and what results you've seen from that.
Speaker 7 (12:30):
Well, the results are it's uncandy. I mean, we can't
necessarily say it's all because of the campaign, but we
definitely lit a fire under what's available for Detroit or
for Detroit urs. Right, there's a lot of programs that
you don't see that the cities other cities are offering,
like the free tuition or for college that's huge for
just being a high school graduate, or learn to Earn
(12:51):
program which is kind of run by the Detroit at
Work Facility that has you know, four different piers of
our tiers of learning a new trade. You know, all
types of trades you can think of. Uh So that's
a huge one as well as you know. Uh. Our
last push was for Project clean Slate, which is you know,
if you're if you have a felony, you can have
(13:13):
that expunge, which we all know what could happen if
you have that off your uh you know, you're rating
that you can you know, find better jobs, find a
better occupation as well as get a home for yourself.
So there's a lot of benefits for that. And it's
what's so great, it's, you know, a lot of these
are free. I mean they're all free, especially to learn
(13:34):
to Earn program. They will pay you to learn a trade.
So really can't. Yeah, it's not like here, go to school,
uh you know, do it for six months and then
you're on your own. No, you get prepared, you get
really and you you build this community as well because
the teachers is so uh worthy of uh you know,
or at least friends for life, right, So.
Speaker 5 (13:56):
Yeah, and you're having some measurable benefits of the pro to.
When we launched our campaign focusing on Skills for Life,
the participation rate jumped tremendously. They had so many more
enrollments that they finished out with more enrollments during that
(14:17):
period of our advertising campaign than they did during the
entire year. We also have the one hundred million dollars
scholarship program. One of those is jump Start. That one
is at capacity. And that's one of the things Colleen
about this is that you know, we received eight hundred
and twenty six million dollars in our PA funding and
(14:40):
stood up so many programs. This administration and all of
our cabinet members and directors who work so hard to
come up with these.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
Programs, stand them up.
Speaker 5 (14:49):
I mean, just imagine starting from scratch to do a
program where you can replace the rule of a senior
citizen or somewhat with disabilities.
Speaker 4 (15:00):
That's a huge expense, Like right now, I.
Speaker 5 (15:02):
Need a roof, right yeah, And I mean the quotes
I'm getting are out of this world. So imagine being
on a fixed income, or someone with a disability who's
on a fixed income, or a senior on a fixed income.
How can you possibly afford a roof in your budget
when you're already trying to pay for your prescriptions and
whatnot and just day to day living expenses. So our
(15:25):
renew Detroit program is an amazing program replacing groups, and
unfortunately that program is already at capacity. Down payment assistance
program that's been another hugely successful program where you can
get up to twenty five thousand dollars to buy a
(15:48):
new home. So some first time young people homeowners are
getting that assistance and we're keeping them in Detroit. So
that's the benefit to the city of offering these types
of programs.
Speaker 7 (16:00):
You know, we just put out a fly up too,
So four hundred plus received the assistance for Doubt David,
So wow, quite a number. And it was so successful
that there was a phase too. So you know, we're
trying to find funds, you know, funds. If funds are there,
then we're going to you know, hopefully promote a more
so open up that application.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
That's a lot of people to help get a house
I know, right, yeah, new homeowners in the city. Yeah,
we need to stop down real quick, you guys, because
the stuff you're mentioning that people have access to to
help improve their lives and live in the city and
have it being even better. Maybe they're encountering troubles, like
you said, somebody doesn't have a roof or whatever the
(16:40):
situation may be, where they can get resources.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
Let's give the website.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
So if somebody's like, hey, that's me I need some
help with that, where would they go for sure?
Speaker 7 (16:50):
I mean you can go to Detroit, MI dot gov
forward slash Detroit for Life. If you go to our website,
you can see the opportunities that are available currently right
now that you can sign up for it to a
very simple way to achieve some of these options these
programs as well as you know, other opportunities for you
to skull through the website as well to see some
(17:11):
other opportunities that one the Art of program is offering
and some of the grants that are offering. There's quite
a few. I mean, obviously we're doing a lot for
park improvements. You know, Heart Plaza, we just updated the fountain,
all of these community centers that are popping up all
over Detroit. I mean it's outside of Detroit, but it's
you know, often it's benefiting the residents of Detroit. So
you know, we could we all see the benefits of downtown,
(17:35):
right we saw what has happened. We've seen people come by.
We know that it's been rated number top ten places
to visit. And then not only does it benefit downtown,
but obviously this will will help the residents as well
when it comes to employment and comes to you know,
security and safety and all of that jazz. But like
(17:56):
I said, there's not a whole lot or there's not
many cities that offer through up these programs like Detroit.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (18:02):
One of the things too, Colleen, is that really the
impact is not just downtown, it's all over the city.
If you look at Motor City Match, we have businesses
that have opened up across the city and these major
corridors like the Avenue of Fashion, you know, and it's
just amazing East Warren. There's just so many new businesses
(18:25):
and it's amazing to see and it's amazing to hear
the stories of some of these folks who you know,
may not have had any options to get a business
going had it not been for the assistance from MotorCity Match.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
Tammy, you were I want to just kind of circle
back to you real quick because we were speaking about
your friend Ilia here and your friend VICKI couldn't say
enough things about you.
Speaker 3 (18:53):
How did you even get involved with these two?
Speaker 6 (18:56):
Well, I got in while Will call me and he said,
you're doing such great work. You got in the Neighborhood
of Beautification grant and how would you like to come
on the team and tell about your projects and how
this grant has benefited you from turning blight property into
spaces for the community and people with disabilities and renewable energy.
(19:19):
I said, I would love to Detroit is our city
and we're bringing it back to where it needs to be.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
So give us some personal feeling on like what this
has meant to you and what you've seen happen in
the community, Like why do you love working with Vicky
and Elia in this program.
Speaker 6 (19:37):
It's I love working with with with Vicky and Ilion
in this program because they really care about their department
and the city of Detroit and our mayor really care
about what happens in our communities, care about the people
and making nice spaces other than just being downtown in Detroit,
being in our communities where we live, where we stayed,
(19:59):
doing all of the ins and outs, the bankruptcy, all
of those things. So I am very flattered. I am
very appreciative or our Mayor. I'm very appreciative of the
use to people sitting here in front of me today
for having these things and being able to highlight these
(20:20):
opportunities for us, because just talking about it on paper
or sending an email that's not enough. Everybody don't have Internet,
So to have all of these places, like the radio, billboards,
things of that nature, sharing the information in that way,
more people can find out about what's happening and housing
(20:42):
and things like that, they can go to expungements.
Speaker 8 (20:45):
Those things are very important for our citizens. Here, and
I'm appreciative of that, you know what I mean. It
takes a team, like they say, it takes a village,
and we're a village. So we're doing the work.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
So you you mentioned that people may not have access
to the Internet, and somebody may be listening right now
who doesn't have immediate access to the internet. Their their
phone's not with them or other, but they're thinking, I
need to write down a phone number and make a
phone call later.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
What's the phone number.
Speaker 7 (21:11):
You can reach us at three one three two two
four six three eight zero. That's three one three two
two four six three eight zero.
Speaker 4 (21:20):
And another thing, Colleen, that we're doing.
Speaker 5 (21:22):
We also have a newsletter, the Detroit for Life Newsletter,
and it highlights programs and our thall edition is no
it's summer.
Speaker 4 (21:30):
It's our summer edition is.
Speaker 5 (21:32):
Out now and it's on our website. You can download
the previous issues as well. But it highlights some of
the programs that people can take advantage of, and it's
at that website DETROITMI dot gov forward slash Detroit for Life.
Speaker 3 (21:48):
Vicky, what do you love about what you're doing?
Speaker 5 (21:52):
My goodness, Colleen, when the mayor called me and asked
me if I was ready to switch careers, and he
kind of told me about the storytelling and just letting
people know about all the opportunities that are available to them.
I said, man, this is something that I cannot pass up.
(22:12):
So I made that switch from radio broadcaster to communications
director and marketing campaign leader and it's been amazing. I
mean some of the stories. I'll tell you one that
really got me when I first started. There's a program
called Community Health Core. They're also doing such great work
(22:33):
in the community. This woman that I've highlighted, she was pregnant,
homeless and had nowhere to stay. She was couch surfing basically,
and through Community Healthcore, by the time her baby was born,
she had a new place to live with a beautiful nursery.
(22:54):
She took advantage of some of the career opportunity of
opportunities that we had available, and she's making a great
living now and self supporting and it's just a beautiful thing.
It's just those heartwarming stories that you know I used
to get when I was a reporter, you know, being
able to help someone.
Speaker 4 (23:14):
Now I'm getting it even more.
Speaker 5 (23:17):
It's just almost like you know, opening a fire hose
it's so many people that are benefiting.
Speaker 4 (23:22):
Another great person.
Speaker 5 (23:24):
His name is Preston and he's our spokesperson for the
Detroit Promise. And you talk about a shining star, this
young man has been a great spokes spokesperson for that program.
It's Detroit Promise free college tuition. So that's available to
Detroit or it's free college tuition. Do you know how
much that could change somebody's life?
Speaker 2 (23:46):
Yeah, as somebody's paying for college right now, I sure do.
Speaker 3 (23:51):
Yes, right, I actually really live that every day. So
let's go, Preston, let's yeah.
Speaker 7 (24:00):
Absolutely, I heard you. Yeah, I have two kids graduated
from Michigan State.
Speaker 5 (24:05):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (24:05):
That would have been a nice little program to know,
but I would have moved to Detroit and the heartbeat
if I knew about that.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
Yeah, Vicky, that's the Detroit Promise free college tuition program.
Speaker 4 (24:15):
Yes, yes, And this more Roy problem the website.
Speaker 2 (24:19):
Oh yeah, elliot, what were you gonna say?
Speaker 4 (24:22):
Oh?
Speaker 7 (24:22):
Well, I was gonna jump in and tell you why
I No, I could have jumped the gun a little bit.
Uh No, it's it's really you know, Uh, as as
Vicky had said, it's it's working with the people, hearing
their stories, their two testimonials of you know, successes of
taking advantage of some of the programs that are offered
to them. Uh, you know, it's yeah, Preston was was incredible,
(24:45):
but you had the Missies. That surely is the Tammy's
the Stephens. Uh, you know, We've got so many and
it's really not us telling their stories, them telling uh
their story to us. And that's what makes it so rewarding.
I think that one the benefit the opportunities really just
kind of the give back and and seeing these people
(25:07):
really you know, the growth and the and the gratitude
is incredible. So it's definitely beneficial. It's obviously helps Detroit
as well as the residents of Detroit, and it's it's
an incredible thing to offer something like that knowing that
it could it could change people's lives.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
Well, you wake up in the morning and ready to
go to work because you know, you know, you're making
that difference for people.
Speaker 4 (25:33):
And that's what matters. You know, that really is what
matters when you can.
Speaker 5 (25:36):
Wake up every day and say, how can I make
a difference, whether it's making sure that people can easily
access our website or putting social media content out that
is informative and beneficial to people. That's another one of
the things that I do in my role, Colleen. Outside
of the Detroit for Life marketing campaign, we also tell
(25:59):
these stories in what we call opportunity rising stories, where
we highlight someone who's taken advantage of a program. We
just got finished looking at like three or four videos
we just did about the Grow Detroit Young Talent program
that's putting young people to work during the summer at corporations,
(26:19):
at the city and all over the place, and we're
recruiting employers who want to be part of the program
next year. So it's just really really rewarding. And one
of those stories was about Christina. She participated in GDYT
every summer while she was in college, so this was
(26:41):
her means of earning an income and gaining work experience.
As a result of her having that opportunity, and Sarah
Fisher Center hired her full time and she had been
with them the previous four summers as a GDYT and
now she has a full time job after graduating from college.
Speaker 4 (27:05):
So it's stories like that that really have.
Speaker 5 (27:07):
An impact, you know, in programs. I mean, if we
hadn't created these programs. You know, who knows, you know,
where these people would be now, you know, without the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
The array of programs you guys have talked about is
extensive and covers a wide variety of people's needs. How
many programs would you say, if somebody went on to
Detroit AMI dot gov forward slash Detroit for Life. There's
another plug there, DETROITMI dot gov forward slash Detroit for Life.
If somebody goes on there, how many programs are available
to people?
Speaker 7 (27:37):
Would you say, there's like fifteen categories. Within those fifteen categories,
there's probably a you know, five different types of programs
within that category. So you can do the math. It's
it's pretty high and it spans quite a bit too
when it comes to you know, learning a new career
(28:00):
or you know, making a turning blight to beauty. Uh,
there's so many that that come in between. You know.
We're also working with the Great Divide or Digital Divide.
We're offering free Wi Fi for certain districts, right and
hopefully that's going to be broaden into all districts. Right.
But like you said, it's there's areas in the there's yeah,
(28:20):
there's areas within our city where you know, people can't
afford or just can't don't have access to the internet,
that's going to be available. If anything, it's I think
it's started in five in five districts if I remember correctly.
Speaker 4 (28:34):
That's good.
Speaker 5 (28:34):
We just started a program where we're it's a pilot
program for free Wi Fi in the parks. So there
are five parks, Clark Park is among them where you
can get free Wi Fi and it's meant a world
of difference. Two of the people we talked to were
students and they were talking about how they could, you know,
(28:55):
apply go to the park and apply for college, you know,
as a result of having a free Wi Fi in
the park.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
That's great, boy, what a good service that is. Hey, Tammy,
let's wrap it up with you. I know you're the
spokesperson of the Neighborhood Beautification program. What do you look
forward to seeing happen in these neighborhoods that where you're
actively seeing change take place. What do you want to
see for the community.
Speaker 6 (29:22):
I want to see for the community blighted property chunk
into spaces that the community will gather in and that
will make them feel good when they come out of
their homes and see these beautiful spaces and spaces they
can make use of usable. That's what I would like
to see.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
It's great improve the quality of life for everybody in
the City of Detroit. That's that's what you're working for,
and I'm so happy that we were able to shine
a spotlight on what you guys are doing. We have
been joined today by Tammy Black, who is the Neighborhood
Beautification Program spokesperson. Also by Vicky Thomas, who is the
director of Communications for the City of Detroit, and Iliah
(30:00):
who is the Creative Director for the City of Detroit.
All working together in the Detroit for Life campaign to
improve the lives of those who are living in the
city and those who maybe should be interested in living
in the city with all the wonderful things that are
going on in Detroit. Thank you so much for joining us, Tammy, Vicky,
and Elia. We really appreciate all the good work you're
doing in a support community and build people up and
(30:21):
make better lives for all our neighbors.
Speaker 4 (30:24):
Well, thank you for having us on the program.
Speaker 7 (30:26):
Colleen, much appreciate it, much appreciated.
Speaker 1 (30:30):
This has been light up the d a Community Affairs
program from iHeartMedia Detroit. If your organization would like to
get on the program, email Colleen Grant at iHeartMedia dot com.
Here are all episodes on this station's podcast page.
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