Earlier this month, the matriarch of my family passed away. My great-grandmother taught me so many lessons. Ironically, one of the poems she wrote applies to the work that still must be done in Detroit. Detroit is a city full of potential, all we have to do is use the people and resources that we already have. Much like my grandmother described in this poem… I hope she knows just how much her logic will inspire me and my work…

When Moses went down in Egypt to free the Israelites

He headed for the promise land, but saw some curious sights.

When he got down to that Red Sea he gave up on the spot

The Lord said “What’s that in your hand? Use what you’ve got.”

The wilderness was on each side, Ole Pharaoh’s horses behind,

The big Red Sea spread out in front, no bridge of any kind.

His faith got weak, he prayed for help, “Lord must I fail or not?”

The Lord said, “Smite that sea apart, and use what you’ve got.”

He long had lugged that heavy rod as shepherds often do,

But never had he figured out it would open waters too.

To kill a snake or walk along it helped him out a lot,

But save six hundred thousand men? Just use what you’ve got.

Now look here folk, it’s a fact… believe it if you please.

Some of us at times in life get between gun and seas,

But if you bear this thought in mind, it works out on the dot:

Don’t pray for things right in your hand, USE what you’ve got.

Don’t say fate got in your way and that’s why you are black,

God made all the colors, and loves them all alike.

So stand for something, hold your own if times be cold or hot.

You have the talent in your brain just use what you’ve got.