I really cannot believe that I am even typing this! One year in the greatest city known to man has come to an end so quickly, but the experiences, friendships, lessons learned and connections are ever lasting.

When we first met around this time last year, I started my blog by declaring that  “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..” During this year in Challenge Detroit, if I learned anything, it’s that first impressions are lasting but the impression someone leaves on you subsequent to that can last much longer. During this year, I have made amazing beyond amazing friends within my fellow class, and I am looking forward to continuing to cultivate those relationships for many years to come. I went out on the town (some of my favorites include Hangovers on Livernois and Deluxe in Greektown), I’ve eaten at extraordinary restaurants, visited amazing apartments and homes, and done service and leadership development in the company of the group.

Never could I have imagined that each of the pillars of CD would be made that much more exciting with the addition of my  new friends.

My favorite challenge, by far, was with COTS (Coalition on Temporary Shelter), a homeless shelter in Detroit. The work that we did, the people that we met, and the experiences that we had were so impactful, both for myself as well as the consumers and staff of the organization. When I joined CD, my vision of what the challenges would be like was all-encompassed in this challenge.

I don’t have a favorite Leadership Friday, because I was blown away by the top leaders in the city that we got a chance to sit directly across from Friday after Friday. I looked forward to leadership development days because I KNEW THEY’D BE NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING.

My position with Cornerstone Charter Schools benefited me in many ways. I am passionate about education, and this year, I got an in depth look into the “behind the scenes” of schools in the city. I was able to sit on panels, attend round-table discussions, and meet with top education leaders, some of whom I worked with on a daily basis. What I enjoyed most was working directly with students as a mentor and overseeing some of their daily activities.

Let me explain: this year has really caused me to open my eyes in many ways, including what racial tolerance/intolerance really means, what hard work entails, organization skills, and what it will take for me to reach my aspirations within the city. As a Detroit native, I have fallen back in love with Detroit, and have rededicated myself to the mission of revitalization for all Detroiters, not just a select few. I really cannot wait to see what is in store for me next! I am so glad I was able to spend this year in Detroit and I will work tirelessly to make my dreams for racial and educational equity in the city a reality. Until next time!