It’s raining in here, I thought as I walked into the atrium of One Campus Martius.  Truth be told, that’s the second time I’ve had that thought upon entering the Compuware building.  I’d been there once before, only a few weeks prior, and should have remembered the giant glass waterfall that dominates the open space.  But I didn’t, and a sense of childlike wonderment filled me again.  And like a child, I stood and stared. I thought about how many people had to work together to create such a magnificent piece of art. I later found out that what I was gazing at was the world’s largest indoor hanging waterfall, measuring just over 14 stories tall. It’s no wonder AIA Detroit’s Urban Priorities Committee rated the building’s entryway as one of the top ten interiors in Detroit. I asked myself, how did I fail to set foot in this remarkable space while living in Detroit these past few years? Alas, this isn’t the first time I’ve had this thought since beginning my fellowship with Challenge Detroit.  To be sure, Challenge Detroit continues to introduce me to parts of my city I had no idea existed.  Again and again, I realize that I don’t know my city half as well as I thought I did.

The Fellows are recognized, including Caroline Gersch, center.

Last Thursday, October 11, Challenge Detroit held its Inaugural Program Celebration on the top floor of the Compuware building.  We were directed to gather in the “Arctic Room,” a genuine misnomer since the atmosphere couldn’t have been warmer; toward each other, our honored guests, and the city we love.  Program Fellows mingled with representatives of the 30 host companies, participating nonprofits and other supporters over cocktails and scrumptious hors D’oeuvres. Not only did I have the privilege of interacting with both of my esteemed mentors, Edward Cherney of Tip Capital and Roy Sexton of Trott & Trott, in a social setting, but also had the opportunity to shake hands with a host of other influential entrepreneurs.

Amongst the many conversations, I heard expressions of gratitude conveyed on behalf of Challenge Detroit fellows to participating companies, nonprofits and donors.  The room was abuzz with strangers, linked by their love and passion for Detroit, sharing stories, forming friendships, and hatching business partnerships. Tanya Heidelberg-Yopp of Compuware gave an enthusiastic welcome to the crowd.  Appropriately, her energy seemed to match the magnitude of the building in which we sat.  Next, we heard personal anecdotes from some of the Challenge Detroit fellows on what drew them to the city or, in the alternative, why they chose to stay in Detroit rather than move to nearby hotspots like Chicago or New York.  Finally, Michael Finney, MEDC President and CEO addressed the crowd.  Finney decided to speak “off the cuff,” though you wouldn’t have known it from his poise and eloquence.  Sharing his optimistic perspective on where he thinks Detroit is headed and what we can do to help the city thrive, his words and presence electrified the room.

I felt  incredibly inspired in the presence of so many bright and creative community leaders; individuals who deeply care for Detroit and its citizens, and helped turn Doyle Mosher’s dream into a reality.  What’s more extraordinary is the philanthropic spirit embodied by each and every one of the participating host companies, nonprofits, and supporters who were so eager to give their time, energy, and capital.

I am incredibly grateful to be a member of the inaugural group of Challenge Detroit fellows and feel saturated with good feeling for our mission.  As with the rain in the lobby, I am reveling in the downpour.

Contributed by Caroline Gersch, Fellow