I’m proud to have grown up and lived in Detroit all my life; there’s no doubt that living here has helped mold me into the person I am today. Through the years I’ve had opportunities to go elsewhere, but have been lucky enough to be able to maintain a good job and living here in Detroit.

My experiences have given me a deep passion for the city, but that doesn’t mean that someone who was born here and went away, or grew up elsewhere and now calls Detroit home doesn’t feel the same way. It’s important to remember that those who are trying to make an impact in the Motor City are all working towards a common goal of making the place we live, work, and play better for all.

Recently Crain’s Detroit held their second annual Detroit Homecoming event here in the city. Roughly 170 expats were invited back to Detroit to see the revitalization efforts currently taking place first hand. Attendees varied from people who are vital in the business and entrepreneurial world, to those in sports and entertainment.

The primary goal of the event was to re-engage expats to give and invest in Detroit (the City itself and business opportunities that may present themselves). Detroit is on the right track but still has a ways to go. To get there it’ll be important to utilize all talent; that which still resides here as well as talent belonging to those who once called Detroit home or may be learning to love the city for the first time.

Challenge Detroit is a fantastic representation of that plan in action: Lifelong Detroiters, natives coming home, as well as newcomers all working together to bring out the full potential in the city.

“People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society.” – Vince Lombardi