The Challenge

What's Challenge Detroit?


Challenge Detroit will invite 30 of tomorrow's leaders to live, work, play, and give in and around the Detroit area for one year.

DETROIT is the new IT city. DETROIT is the opportunity! Local leaders from all sectors, of all ethnicities, and of all ages are coming together. And, you can be a part of it. Participate or observe, THIS IS GOING TO BE AMAZING!

Can retaining and attracting 30 of the best and brightest INNOVATIVE THINKERS make a difference? DETROIT is betting on it. Tomorrow's leaders have INTELLIGENCE, PASSION, and COMMITMENT. Combine this with a community-wide effort of highly connected, motivated, creative, innovative thinkers, and the formula will be EXPLOSIVE!

Join the REVITALIZATION EFFORTS FOR ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CITIES IN THE WORLD!

  • They'll live in Detroit.

    Participants will receive incentives to live in selected areas of Detroit.

  • They'll work in Detroit.

    All 30 participants will work approximately 32 hours per week at their host company for an entire year.

  • They'll play in Detroit.

    To strengthen the bond between the 30 participants while demonstrating the positive qualities of the region, Challenge Detroit, along with local organizations, will make monthly social and cultural activities happen.

  • They'll give in Detroit.

    The 30 will participate in monthly team challenges designed to positively impact the community while keeping the participants as well as the followers of Challenge Detroit engaged.
an initiative of The Collaborative Group

Examples of Monthly Team Challenges

Close it

Education - Teams may work with the Detroit Public Schools to develop after school programs aimed at engaging students in extra-curricular activities, including sports and clubs.

Healthcare - Teams may work with area hospitals to develop initiatives aimed at preventing illnesses and promoting healthy lifestyles, i.e. programs that encourage exercise, combat obesity, reduce drinking, or encourage smoking cessation.

Urban planning and transportation - Participants may work with M-1 RAIL to address how the RAIL will link with other planned and existing transportation systems and how to reach out to the community.

Technology - Working with organizations such as Tech Town, teams may develop proposals focusing on ways to attract and retain technology start-ups to Detroit.

Business - Teams may work with Bizdom U to develop business plans for new, Detroit-based companies.

Sustainability - Working with an organization such as Greening of Detroit, teams may put together a vision for a greener Detroit, outlining how the city can become more sustainable by incorporating public green spaces over the next 10 years.

Community enterprise - Teams may work with an organization such as United Way of Southeast Michigan to provide housing, career building, and financial literacy programs to community members.

Arts and culture - Teams may work with the Cultural Alliance of Southeast Michigan on projects that increase awareness of the city's arts communities. 

Media - Teams may work with the Detroit Regional News Hub to implement the strategic communications plan to highlight the positive aspects of the Detroit area.

Innovation and entrepreneurship - Teams may work with business-related organizations such as Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM).  The BLM's Detroit 2021 vision will outline goals and objectives for the Detroit business community over the next 10 years, and put steps in place for the city to achieve those goals.