For our second challenge of the 2021-2022 program year, we were honored to partner with Marygrove Conservancy, a nonprofit organization with a mission to preserve the legacy of Marygrove College through equitable stewardship of a campus that exemplifies excellence in education, serving Northwest Detroit and the city overall. Eight teams of Fellows collaborated with the Marygrove team – led by COO Racheal Allen and Program Manager Turkessa Baldridge – along with community stakeholders over seven-weeks. Learn more from the perspective of each team!
Aye aye aye, welcome to the Listening team, it’s your boy Akash AKA Snoop Blogg. The following production is an overview of the last few weeks, recalled with profound gratitude for the opportunity we’ve been given to foster cultural growth at Marygrove.
One Love!
Listen first. That’s the approach we took in this project with the Marygrove Conservancy. Tasked with developing a Listening Report with corresponding funding recommendations, our team knew that our stakeholder interviews were paramount to our success. In order to best communicate the needs of the community, we had to get as immersed as we could, a challenge given the remote circumstances.
We got straight to it. We had the distinct pleasure of speaking with stakeholders who each shared their experiences as either members of the neighborhood or collaborators in the cultural space. Asking tailored questions to understand the unique needs of each stakeholder, we developed a jam-packed notes document, packed with insight. Through the defining process, we zeroed in on the most essential items and we began ideating.
“Community development should be like friendship” shared Iva June Williams. In compiling our insights into a report, we hoped to highlight this truth. The strengthening of this community must grow like a friendship, tried and true over years of transition and discovery. Through continued stewardship of the community, Marygrove Conservancy is sure to serve this purpose.
***