Hello everyone!  Many of you may be wondering who I am and what Challenge Detroit is all about.  So, let me take a moment to tell you a little bit about myself, Challenge Detroit, and why I love Detroit.

First of all, my name is Shivani Naik and I am originally from the Detroit suburbs, specifically, Sterling Heights, Michigan.  I am 23 years old and I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Oakland University just this past April.  To give you a few fun facts, I love all kinds of music, different cultures, reading, writing, singing, having fun and experiencing new things.  This is all great stuff, but the one fun fact that everyone should know is this- I love Detroit!  Just a little over a month ago, I got an apartment in Midtown, and I absolutely love it here!

Now, let me tell you a little bit about Challenge Detroit.  Challenge Detroit is a year-long fellowship that is aimed at attracting and retaining young talent in Detroit.  Including myself, there are 32 young fellows from right here in Michigan, across the country, and around the world who have come to Detroit to play a role in the revitalization efforts of our city.  Over the course of the year all of the fellows will live, work, give, play, and lead in Detroit. Each of us have been placed with a different host company for the next year to gain relevant work experience.

Four days a week, I work at my host company Brooks Kushman PC, an intellectual property law firm that is located in Southfield, one of the Detroit suburbs.  I work in Brooks Kushman’s accounting & finance department and I will also be working on some marketing projects over the course of the year.  On Fridays, I meet up with my fellow fellows to participate in team challenges where we partner with different companies and non-profit organizations to address various issues and opportunities in Detroit and the surrounding region.  Currently, we are addressing the topic of Community Arts by partnering with the University of Detroit Mercy’s Collaborative Design Center’s Impact Detroit Initiative & Bleeding Heart Design.

So far, my first month with Challenge Detroit has been incredible.  I absolutely love working at Brooks Kushman, working on team challenges on Fridays, and hanging out with the other fellows and getting to know each of them individually.  Just by being in Detroit, I have been given the opportunity to do and see so much.  I have been able to enjoy things as simple as hanging out with my fellow fellows, eating delicious crepes at Good Girls go to Paris and amazing Arabic food at Harmonie Garden in Midtown, attending the Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings Concert, attending The Detroit Design Festival, experiencing the nightlife in Downtown, and visiting some of the neighborhoods.

What I love the most about Detroit is the spirit of the people here.  Even after facing so much hardship, the members of the neighborhoods are still filled with so much energy and passion for their home.  Only in Detroit can you find countless opportunities to express yourself in such creative ways and have it be truly appreciated.  No doubt our city has its fair share of struggles, but through hardship comes endurance, and it is there that we see the true beauty of the human spirit.  It is through those who have endured a lot yet are still so filled with hope for a better tomorrow that we find faith and inspiration.

Many people have questioned why I would want to come live in Detroit.  While many people have been extremely supportive and excited about what I am doing, there are also those who have been skeptical and negative.  To those people, I would like to say this: Come experience Detroit for yourself.  Before coming to the city, let go of all negative perceptions and open your mind and heart- free yourself to take in everything, both the good and the bad, without judgment.  Dig deep and look into the core of the city.  When you see the beauty of the city and the spirit of the people, you will gain a new sense of understanding and will fall in love too.  Being from the suburbs is not enough- I’m from the suburbs and I never started to truly know Detroit until I actually experienced it. Even now, I still have a LOT left to learn.

In one of the neighborhoods we visited, there is some street art that stuck with me. It said, “Never doubt… that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” Are you looking to be inspired? Are you looking to use your talents where they’re most needed and will be the most appreciated? If so, Detroit is the place to be!