Sabrina Fergerson is a 2020-2021 Fellow. She is a native Detroiter and has a background in Business Administration in Supply Chain Management. In 2019 she was selected as a Forbes Under 30 Scholar.

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

My host company is DTE Energy located downtown Detroit. My role is working in Public Affairs with the United Way Campaign and the DTE Alumni Network.

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

The challenge project we are currently working on is with the Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation. My team is focused on the Grand River WorkPlace. Our deliverables for this project are website design, marketing toolkit, phased outreach plan and interior design philosophy. I am learning that it is pivotal to engage your community when running a business. You want your residents to feel appreciated and a part of any initiative that is going to make the community better. Community involvement makes a huge difference.

How do you hope to impact the community as a Fellow?

I hope to lead with faith and confidence. I want my community to have access to the same opportunities as me. It is my civic duty to ensure that my community has a seat at the table or have the resources to create their own table. Michelle Obama once said “Whether you come from a council estate or a country estate, your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude.”

Since becoming a Fellow, what is something new that you have learned?

Since becoming a fellow, a new skill I learned was being able to effectively communicate and become an organized multitasker. Communication is always a skill I plan to improve upon. Working with diverse teams, I noticed my style of communication changed a lot. The fellowship allowed me to own my communication style but also embrace others. Another thing I developed was being an organized multitasker. It is one thing to multitask on different projects but it is another when you are able to multitask with order. Being a fellow has allowed me to gain more experience in project management which helped me develop my new skill of being an organized multitasker.

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

I believe that this fellowship will provide me with the resources to expand my skill sets in my career. In my career one common theme I noticed is the ability to be open-minded. The fellowship program has allowed me to become more open-minded and well-rounded while being introduced to different projects. The design thinking approach is a tool that I will apply in my career moving forward to help any community that I am serving.

If someone is reading this and considering applying to be a Fellow, why would you encourage them to apply?

I encourage anyone who is reading this message to apply because this is a unique opportunity that you wouldn’t want to miss. There are so many resources available to help you build your craft. You will be well prepared for any personal or professional goals you want to achieve. You will be inspired to not only grow within yourself but to help grow the city of Detroit. If you want to represent your Detroit community this would be the ideal place to start.