For our last challenge of the 2023-2024 program year, we partnered with the Detroit Food Academy (DFA), a nonprofit that works to inspire young Detroiters (ages 10-24) through culinary arts and food entrepreneurship. Three teams of Fellows created a cohesive marketing and brand identity for the Small Batch Detroit, completed research and recommendations for expanding products, and built out a success pathway plan for youth in the program. The teams collaborated alongside Executive Director Kiki Louya, her staff, and community stakeholders to create deliverables – learn more about the project from the Fellow perspective! 

This summer, Challenge Detroit partnered with the Detroit Food Academy with the aim of streamlining their line of food products and ensuring the success of their formative, youth-based programs. On the day of the project launch, we spoke with the DFA team to learn more about their mission and dreams while making ice cream. What stood out to us, largely, was their commitment to community and to each other as a team. DFA certainly has a true passion for empowering youth and preparing them for success. For instance, DFA’s Small Batch program employs youth from the ages of 18-24, allowing them to work in the culinary discipline, learn entrepreneurial skills, and grow professionally. For this reason, a major component of the project, along with the rebrand of their snack line, was determining how best to prepare youth for their culinary careers, post-program. DFA Executive Director Kiki Louya emphasized, “It’s not just lets get you there, but how can we keep you there.”

Having been introduced to the organization with such enthusiasm, we found it incredibly rewarding to approach these set of tasks. The marketing team was able to reimagine the DFA brand, creating a refreshed logo and snack packaging that encapsulates the youthful image of the organization, along with a marketing strategy. Additionally, the product opportunity team produced a market research analysis to offer insight into the future of what products might benefit DFA and Small Batch the most. Finally, the success pathway team was able to enhance the Small Batch program, providing more of an enriched experience full of both professional and personal development. We are extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to DFA’s mission and impact.

Fellows with our Detroit Food Academy partners and the Pop Shop popsicle cart!

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