a year ago, i was humbled and exhilarated to receive an email from challenge detroit welcoming me into the second year of the program. i’ve been struggling this month to wrap my head around what has happened, what i did, and whether it meant anything or will continue to matter.

instead of getting sidetracked into existentialism, i think i’ll focus on a couple highlights from the past month that illustrate the varied but all amazing and worthwhile opportunities i am fortunate enough to have to lead in this city. objectively they tell 1/12th of the story of a year well spent.

may 3 i spent the morning on 8 mile boulevard helping with a landscaping/facade improvement project during the boulevard association’s annual clean up.

may 6 i was introduced to the community garden in the cass corridor where i will be able to have a plot to call my own for the upcoming growing season.

may 8 i got to put on the same power suit i wore when i was the interviewee last year and sit on the other side of the table to interview challenge detroit finalists for a position at DTE.

may 9 year 2 fellows presented our month’s worth of work to the detroit rivierfront conservancy and then led the year 3 candidates on a mini-challenge to address transportation to public schools.

may 13 i attended my first fancy pants fundraising event at fountain bistro in campus martius to support city year.

may 17 i joined the gathering of various fellows across the city, the greening of detroit, and high school students at cody rouge to beautify their school grounds with plants and an outdoor classroom.

may 19 i went to a meeting with developers and elected officials to talk about a multi-municipal business park development in wayne county.

may 22 i sat in on the annual midtown community development briefing to learn about the flurry of new projects and improvements happening in midtown.

and from may 27 to may 30 i travelled up to charlevoix, mi to a 100 acre farm, watched and responded to livestreams of the mackinac policy conference, and helped contribute to community engagement strategies for the near east side.

i apologize if this post seems superficial, but for any of the new fellows accepting the offer to be part of challenge detroit, there is no question that your year will be incredible, impactful, and moving. and it will go by in an instant. seize it.