It’s hard to believe that I have already made it past the halfway mark for Challenge Detroit. As I reflect on the last seven months, I find there are many different things I continue to learn about Detroit as well as myself. A few revelations include:

• I can now confidently navigate to most places without my GPS. However, I should note I might still check the route occasionally before heading out to my next destination because you never know what event traffic or where construction will pop up in Detroit.
• Street parking has allowed me to practice my parallel parking skills, which if I’m being honest have probably not been tested since I took my drivers license test. Confession: I still might not get it perfectly the first time, but there has been significant improvement.
• Some of my peers are pursuing their dreams as they start their own businesses and non-profits. If I am being real, it does make me question where I am going with my life. BUT at the same time, I am inspired to get to do life with friends who are taking risks and pushing themselves to make a difference in Detroit.
• Moving to Detroit has also allowed me to learn more about my family history. During the most recent Challenge Project with the Belle Isle Conservancy, my team was tasked with capturing stories and videos of the James Scott Memorial Fountain located on Belle Isle. My grandpa lived in Detroit in the 1940s and would often walk to Belle Isle from his house. As I was asking him about his memories at Belle Isle, I learned that one of his favorite places to visit on the island was the fountain. This made for a special time as I heard his stories as well as the stories from others on why the fountain is significant to them.
• Detroit is no longer a place that is just a new adventure. While there are still new adventures to be had, Detroit has become a place I call home. When I hear others from outside Detroit talk about their view of Detroit or question me for living here, I find my response very different from when I first moved to the city. Often times, my initial response is frustration, but I also find it to be an opportunity to find different ways to share the narrative of Detroit that I get to see firsthand.

Here’s to the next half of Challenge Detroit!