First impressions that become lasting signifiers  are often constructed based off of a person’s accent, perhaps their sense of style, maybe even the place they grew up..

My friends and I were identified as “The Detroit Crew” during our first weeks in Granville, OH, the town of my undergraduate college. Sure, we were obviously from Detroit, but we also had such a sense of pride for our city that others simply couldn’t understand.

Throughout my experience in school, there was a litany of jokes and playfully snide remarks about Detroit, its crime rates and its detrimental economic downturn which, to me, successfully encompassed everything that was wrong with how people see Detroit today. You see, the media and news outlets had painted this dreary picture of the city that I called home, and led everyone who I encountered to wonder the same thing:

WHY DO YOU LOVE DETROIT SO MUCH?!

Well, and understand,  I’m not trying to steal Kevin Hart’s idea, but I think he was on to something big when he said LET ME EXPLAIN!

No, I didn’t get a deal for a feature length film 🙁 but  I’m gonna ask that you let ME explain why I love Detroit as much as I do, via this blog. Challenge Detroit’s pillars are to live, work, play, give and lead in the city.

Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll describe, in depth, why Detroit is, seriously, the best place in the country (and amongst the best in the world) to effectively fulfill your desire for a life of fun, a booming career, and opportunities for meaningful service/ leadership.

You don’t even have to be a Challenge Detroit fellow. Just go out and do it! For the Detroit natives, you can literally step outside of your door and find bundles of opportunities to make a difference whilst having tons of fun. For my out-of-towners, stay tuned, because by the time I’m done, I’ll be clearing space on my couch for you, as you’ll be dying to visit and join in the fun!

Stay tuned, this journey has only just begun 🙂 🙂

-kyla elise