One of my goals was to try a new restaurant at least once a month in Detroit and the metro Detroit area. Since my first blog entry, I’ve had Buddy’s Pizza (my new personal fav!) and dinner at the historic American Bistro on Livernois. Additionally, I also went to the Motown museum (for the second time). Needless to say I’ve definitely had my fair share of “playing in the city.”  However with our first challenge, I along with the event planning team and the rest of the fellows, had the opportunity to “give Detroit.”

Our culminating event was a BBQ in the Lindale Gardens neighborhood designed to increase community engagement. Although it was challenging to plan and coordinate, I genuinely enjoyed this event and the opportunity to mingle with the community. I think often times with the hustle and bustle of the day to day, and of going to work, it’s easy to forget to lay back and learn from other people and their stories.

I talked and exchanged numbers with ,a lady who was born and raised in the Lindale Gardens neighborhood. She was able to tell me about the glory days, and how she wants her neighborhood to look years from now. I also met a little girl who had never had a smore, and another little boy who was extremely excited to see a moon bounce right down the street from his house.

So although turnout wasn’t astounding (I’d say 50 or so community members came), I think it accomplished alot: community members had the opportunity to meet people they may have never met before, and kids had the opportunity to play in a safe space for an evening.  It showed me that we’re doing meaningful work that can be impactful for those in the city, even if on an incremental level.