Tell us about one of your favorite neighborhoods in Detroit and what makes it unique?

One of my favorite neighborhoods in Detroit is Corktown. It is where I currently live so I have had the opportunity to meet local business owners of businesses that I frequent, form relationships with neighbors who have lived there for 40 years and explore it more in depth.  

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

I just finished working with Slow Roll Detroit, I was on the Key Partner Rides team which was tasked with creating material that Slow Roll could use to approach local nonprofits about partnering together to better connect Slow Roll’s 5,000 riders with volunteer opportunities within Detroit.

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

My host company is Edward C. Levy which is celebrating its 100 year anniversary this year, making it an exciting time to be there. I work on the Training and Content Creation team doing graphic design, shooting and editing video footage. I like to mix my time between doing technical and creative work with my passion for giving back to the communities that we live and work in. Therefore, I also work with Junior Achievement, Gleaners, and Habitat for Humanity to connect our employees with volunteer opportunities. Finally, I’ve made it my mission to implement a recycling program in our office. So I have earned the nickname Recyplopse for my tendency to dig through the trash and remind people on the daily to utilize reusable items.

Challenge Detroit had the opportunity to speak with Madison’s team at Edward C. Levy and here’s what they had to say about Madison’s contributions to their team.

As a Challenge Detroit Fellow with the Edw. C. Levy Co., Madison designs and produces high-quality creative and training content to meet diverse needs within our company. In addition to her daily responsibilities, Madison goes above and beyond to be a steward of corporate responsibility within our organization. She is extremely passionate and hard-working, and we feel lucky to have her as a member of our team and company. – Courtney McCarty,Training and Video Production Manager

What kind of impact do you hope to have with your host company and within the city?

I hope to show the value of millennials, I feel that we can often get a bad rap but really we have the best of intentions. So if I can show that we are capable of hard work and want more out of a company than bean bags, ping pong and beer on Friday’s then I think that is something I can feel good about. At Levy, there is a Young Professionals Group and we work to learn from the older generations, connect people with community-driven efforts and improve the environment in which we work and live in. No matter where I am I’m always looking to leave the place a little better than I found it.

What are you most looking forward to during the second half of your fellowship year?  

I’m looking forward to continuing to get to know my colleagues, continuing to explore and get involved. I haven’t really traveled around Michigan outside of Detroit and the surrounding area so I’m looking forward to experiencing this “UP -Up North” that everyone keeps talking about.  

How do you believe your fellowship will shape your career moving forward?

I believe that I have met so many incredible people doing all kinds of amazing work in Detroit. These people have helped to shape my thoughts and opinions about issues ranging from inclusive design to policies within the city. I believe that meeting these people and challenging my own belief systems has made me grow as a person and a professional.

To see more of Madison’s life in Detroit, check out her spotlight video!