Oh my goodness guys, as I was prepping to write a post, I realized that I haven’t explicitly outlined what being a Challenge Detroit Fellow means…

Some of you may already know (because I talk about it alllll the time), but for those who don’t here we go:

work: Basically, I, (along was 31 other fellows), was chosen to work with one of 30-ish host companies for a year. These host companies are leaders in their industries and genuinely care about the future of this city. Host companies and offered positions range from marketing, accounting, urban planning, human resources, and EDUCATION!

My host company is Cornerstone Charter Schools, and I work in the capacity of grant writing as well as various projects throughout each of our 4 local Detroit schools.

give: I work 4 days a week with my company, CCS, and every Friday, my fellow fellows and I work on various projects, or challenges,” throughout the city on issues plaguing the communities. Currently, we are working on “community arts,” and will move on to issues of multimodal transportation in the coming weeks. We partner with various nonprofits throughout the city in order to affect change in areas of concern/need. We will also be coordinating our own service projects to come.

play: Each fellow receives a “Detroit Passport to the Arts,” which gives us entry into various cultural events around the city. Likewise, we are invited to various artistic performances. This also includes our fun-outside-of-CD… which is weekend life, fun we have in the city, etc.

live: Simply put, we each have the pleasure of residing in such a bomb city!

lead: each fellow will undergo Leadership training, acquire a mentor, and work to be true pillars within the community.

Let me explain: Challenge Detroit is innovative, and WILL make a difference because we genuinely CARE.