In this week’s Fellow Spotlight, we are checking in with Carlos Spearman. He fills us in on what he enjoys most about living in the city, and his role as a Leadership Liaison with United Shore Financial Services.

Carlos, as a native Detroiter, what do you enjoy most about living in the City?

In Detroit, I am on the path to making my dreams become a reality. At the same time, having grown up in the city, I am able to have my family witness and support me while on this journey. When I was growing up I did not think that I would be able to have both.

What does the journey entail, and how will Detroit help you make those dreams a reality?

On my journey I will continue to build bridges that will allow others to get over obstacles that they might have previously seen as a pitfall. Whether that is through my actions or words, I want to be a light to those that live in the dark. Detroit plays a big part in making that a reality because this is my home. And everyone here is like family. When I look into the eyes of Detroiters, I see pieces of me in each and every one of them.

What are some of your favorite things to do in Detroit?

Spending quality time with my two grandmothers has to be number one. My grandmothers are so wise, and that is why they are number one in my heart. Family get-togethers at my aunt’s house on the holidays are special to me, too. And, playing pickup football at Rosedale Park. Those are some of the best pickup games that I have ever played in. The athletes that play on that field could play anywhere and in any sport. I also enjoy riding my bike downtown and taking in the scenery.

Tell us about your host-company and what you do?

I work at United Shore Financial Services (USFS) as a HR Coordinator. I gave myself the title of Leadership Liaison. It sounds cool, and I am helping to develop and implement USFS’s leadership initiatives. I have worked on a training that will train Team Leaders and Division Managers on how to be effective leaders. I am currently working on a leadership development program that will assist young top talent learn how to become leaders the USFS way.

What is it like working for United Shore Financial Services?

As you can see, I’m getting very buff. It’s because we have a fitness facility on campus. It’s a beautiful building in Troy that inspires us to work hard and be creative. Each day I work hard and USFS makes it easy to do so. We have valet parking and when I walk inside there is a Starbucks and a cafeteria. The food in the cafeteria is awesome; I usually have breakfast and then grab a coffee from Starbucks in the morning. We also have cappuccino machines that are very tasty; I suggest everyone try our hazelnut cappuccino. After work, I like to go workout in our fitness facility. I also have to mention that this is the first place that I have ever worked where our CEO is always around and encouraging everyone to give ideas on how the company can continue to improve.

What do you like about the challenges?

I love that I can be creative and I don’t have to think in a box. We can exercise our minds and create new solutions. Also, the people I work with every Friday are great friends. In the last challenge, my team members and I were able to ideate a new way to interact with community members and when we prototyped our idea we found that it was successful. If implemented, it could change the way data is collected about communities.

Check out Carlos’s personal blog here.