Everyday I drive down Gratiot to go to work at the United Way of Southeastern Michigan. Driving down Gratiot gives me time to think and reflect; who I want to be, what I want to be, where I want to be? Gratiot begins as a humbling experience. Sometimes you’ll see struggle, sometimes you’ll see children that remind you of yourself making their way to school. The smell of the new year means everyone regardless of their condition believes that things will get better?

As I drive down Gratiot I see a beautiful image spanning the side of a building near Downtown Detroit. The image is of a child looking up in the direction of Downtown. The backdrop of Downtown Detroit with this image reminds me of all the dreamers within Detroit. You believe that things will get better and all you need is to continue to believe. Continue to look ahead and continue to look up. Welcome to 2016; The Year of Detroit