Jocelyn Moss is a 2020-2021 Fellow. She hails from Plainfield, New Jersey but has called Detroit home for many years. She has lived on both the Eastside and Westside of Detroit with her family.

Tell us about your host company and your role in the organization.
I have the pleasure of working for Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation where I serve as the Operations Manager. As GRDC’s Operations Manager I work closely with all our program managers making sure they have everything they need to be successful. I also assist with our Farmers Market which has been around for 15 years, and is open rain or shine, June through October. We are mainly a produce market but we do have vendors that add value to our market with items other than food.

Tell us about a challenge project; what did you learn from the experience?
My team worked on outreach for the Detroit Phoenix Center to build awareness to youth in the age of Covid. Working with DPC has opened my eyes to youth homelessness and how to recognize it.

How do you hope to impact the community as a Fellow?
After each project, it is my hope that the nonprofits that partner with Challenge Detroit and engage with the Fellows take something away they can implement in their organizations and communities.

Since becoming a Fellow, what is something new that you have learned?
Although I don’t have it mastered yet, Design Thinking is something that was totally new to me.

How do you believe your fellowship year will shape your career moving forward?
Moving forward in my life and career, this fellowship has taught me how to be a better leader and how to be led while being a part of a team with equal voices.

If someone is reading this and considering applying to be a Fellow, why would you encourage them to apply?
Challenge Detroit is what you need in your life! Take the step to learn about different community needs and how design thinking applies to your everyday operations. Challenge (Detroit) will definitely broaden your horizons and make you a better team player.