Tell us about one of your favorite neighborhoods in Detroit and what makes it unique?

My favorite neighborhood is District 2’s Bagley neighborhood. The area is full of homes with unique architecture, wide side streets and hosts two long-standing educational institutions, Marygrove College and the University of Detroit Mercy.  Growing up, the Bagley area was the place where I learned to double dutch and earned a healthy profit selling lemonade and hot dogs on the corner.

I’m so proud of my neighborhood since it has not lost its identity in the midst of development. My neighborhood feels the exact same as it did when I was a kid, welcoming and vibrant. The neighbors greet you, the children are always playing in the street, the smell of great BBQ fills the air and the stores are just a short walk away.

Tell us about the challenge project you’re currently working on, what are you learning from the experience?

Most recently, we partnered with the Detroit Land Bank Authority (DBLA). My team strived to understand the DBLA property buyer ecosystem through the eyes of the general public. After numerous interviews and surveys, my team suggested new branding strategies DBLA can incorporate into their current marketing plan to increase their rapport with the general public. From this project, I learned about various real estate programs, how those programs can impact the housing ecosystem in Detroit and the importance of transparent communication.

Tell us about your host company and your role in the organization.

I have the wonderful opportunity to work with one of the oldest and most prestigious music presenters in the country, the Chamber Music Society of Detroit (CMSDetroit). I’m excited to work as the Patron and Community Relations Manager, directing our box office team, implementing new audience-building strategies and expanding our educational partnerships. Plus, I get to make history! CMSDetroit is celebrating its 75th season of artistic excellence and community outreach and I’m thrilled to be a part of its amazing legacy.

What kind of impact do you hope to have within your host company and within the city?

I hope to learn as much as I can from my coworkers about the ins and outs of the music world and pairing that knowledge with the latest marketing trends. By adding some pizazz our concert programming, I hope to attract new demographics of patrons and to increase the social impact within the community.

Within Detroit, I envision my impact to be the starting point of my legacy. Boldly and unapologetically, I envision myself volunteering and donating funds to programs focused on youth development and education. I firmly believe that the better we equip our youth today, the brighter our future shines tomorrow.

What are you most looking forward to during springtime in Detroit?

There’s so much to list! I absolutely cannot wait to embrace the sun’s warmth on my face and to stroll through grass and flowers with my bare feet. My heart leaps at the chance to inhale the nostalgic smells of an old-fashioned charcoal BBQ and to witness friends and family doing the electric slide to Candy by Cameo. Also, one of my favorite days of the year comes in the spring – my birthday.

How do you believe your fellowship will shape your career moving forward?

The connections and relationships that have grown from my fellowship are incredible. To become a member of a growing network of like-minded individuals who are deeply in love with Detroit and desire to see Detroit prosper is phenomenal. I’m confident that lessons I can learn from my new colleagues will help me navigate the collection of projects within the city and help me establish a legacy for my future children, grandchildren and great-grands.

To learn more about Jasmine’s experience as a Fellow check out her spotlight video!