Alyssa Williams is a 2019-2020 Fellow at Strategic Community Partners. She is a native Detroiter and has a bachelor’s in psychology from Michigan State University and a masters in Women and Gender Studies from Eastern Michigan University.

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

Alyssa’s co-workers from Strategic Community Partners showing support during Challenge #2 presentation.

Strategic Community Partners (SCP)  is a black-owned and Detroiter-owned capacity building firm headquartered in Detroit, MI. SCP just recently opened the SCP Community Center in November. It’s located on West McNichols between Wyoming and Meyers. 

At SCP, my role is as the Community and Educational Initiatives Fellow. In this role I do a hodgepodge of things, but my work mostly falls into the buckets of community engagement, programing and facilitation, and strategic planning.

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

At Challenge we just wrapped up our project with Sinai-Grace Guild Community Development Corporation. During this partnership, as a cohort we were tasked with providing recommendations to improve life outcomes for older adults in Northwest Detroit. This project enlightened me to the challenges that older adults face that we as a society tend to overlook. 

Since becoming a Fellow, what have you learned?

Alyssa visiting the Fitzgerald Mural located in the Fitzgerald Neighborhood on Detirot’s West Side.

Since becoming a fellow I’ve really stepped into being a leader. I’ve been more confident in stepping up, supporting others, and keeping my eye on the prize. Challenge Detroit provided a safe space for me to try on the leadership role and really learn about my leadership style, strengths and room for growth. 

What are you most looking forward to as a Fellow this year?

I’m looking forward to visiting new places in Detroit! As a native of Detroit, I’ve slacked on keeping up with the changes happening in the city and the PLETHORA of  locally owned restaurants, bars, stores, and coffee shops. Since Challenge, I’ve been able to learn about cool spots, new and old, that I’m excited to explore. 

If someone reading your interview is considering in applying to be a Fellow, why would you encourage them to apply?

If you are considering applying – APPLY! Being a Challenge Detroit Fellow is a once in a lifetime opportunity to really learn about Detroit, collaborate on impactful and interesting projects all while having fun with people from all walks of life.