Tell us about living in Detroit. What neighborhood do you live in and what things make it unique and exciting.

IMG_3962I live in Lafayette Park, just east of the Downtown core with my roommate Paulina Kriska, also a Challenge fellow. Although proximal to the amenities of downtown and Eastern Market, I enjoy the feeling of living in a residential area of historic Mies van der Rohe buildings. Before it was Lafayette Park, this area was Paradise Valley and Black Bottom, a thriving, predominantly black neighborhood with a buzzing business and entertainment scene. Motown greats lived here, and family businesses boomed before an urban renewal project demolished it to bring in a highway and “model” neighborhoods. I like living in a place with so much history, and I look for signs of the past around me. As Detroit evolves, I hope lessons can be learned from the past as we move towards ethical redevelopment.

As an out‐of‐stater, I have really benefitted from living with a roommate. Paulina and I have explored Detroit from Livernois to Osborn through our patronage of local businesses and restaurants. We recently bought bikes which we have taken to the Dequindre Cut and Riverwalk. I hope many more adventures are in store, especially with the summer months ahead.

What have you learned from Challenge Detroit so far?

IMG_3903Challenge Detroit has truly changed my life. It’s hard to fully describe the totality of the experience to one who hasn’t lived it, but the program has affected all aspects of my life. Aside from the tangible experience that comes from consulting organizations and practicing community development, I think I have learned how to be a better and more engaged citizen. I’ve learned that I can trust those around me when navigating ambiguity or having hard conversations about race, access, & privilege. I feel more confident as a leader, a public speaker, and as a friend. I see the world differently, and I believe that I will be better at what I do in the future because of this experience.

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

IMG_4055I am a Project Coordinator at Mosher Dolan, a residential construction firm in Royal Oak. I spend my time organizing finish selections; negotiating between trades, clients, designers, and architects; bidding jobs; and preparing construction timelines and budgets. No two days are ever the same in custom building, and I am grateful to be a part of a kind, down‐to‐earth, and responsive team. At Mosher Dolan, you feel like your team has your back in any situation, and for someone fairly new to the field, that has meant I have been able to learn a lot about the industry in 10 short months.

IMG_3924I work with another current fellow, Dave Engle, and share an office with Year 3 fellow, Elizabeth Grabowski. It’s great to work with other Challenge Fellows. We’ve been able to collaborate on some projects at the office, and it’s nice to have that community outside of Challenge. Finally, my most weighty responsibility is as a member of the #MosherDolanStrong kickball team where I play a pretty solid shortstop. We haven’t won a game yet, but, you know, the season’s almost over.

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

IMG_3129It’s pretty simple: I want to contribute meaningfully to both. I believe I have an opportunity at my job and as a Detroiter to do more than routine tasks of working and living. I hope to positively impact the people and systems around me. My brother recently visited me in Detroit, and I was able to reflect on what I have seen and contributed to in a year. My spotlight video is a sample of that.

 

As your fellowship year comes to an end how do you hope to continue to engage in the Detroit community?

IMG_3723I moved to Detroit with the intent to stay past the fellowship year, and I’m pleased that the Challenge Detroit experience supported that assumption. I will continue to live in the city and participate in cultural, political, and social opportunities that I began during my fellowship year. To me, that looks like volunteering with nonprofit partnerships we developed this year, attending events like Detroit SOUP, and seeking a block club for my new neighborhood. Long term, I would like to find creative opportunities to connect the communities of Detroit and Phoenix, and continue to collaborate with people who are different than me.

To catch a glimpse into Mikayla’s time in Detroit so far check out her spotlight video.