{"id":13288,"date":"2015-10-01T05:07:37","date_gmt":"2015-10-01T05:07:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/?p=13288"},"modified":"2015-10-01T05:07:37","modified_gmt":"2015-10-01T05:07:37","slug":"eyes-wide-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/eyes-wide-open\/","title":{"rendered":"Eyes Wide Open"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality – Nikos Kazantzakis<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

As some of you know I relocated to Detroit this past Spring from Chicago, where I\u2019ve spent the majority of my post-college career (and for\u00a0anyone who doesn’t know, watch my quick video<\/a>).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Like many others, I entered the city excited but hesitant, not quite sure what to expect. After only 2 brief trips prior to the move, I had mixed feelings about this major transition. <\/span>Leaving behind the 3rd largest city in the US, what will Detroit have to offer?<\/span><\/i> After living in a cultural mecca like Chicago, what will I do for fun in Detroit? With roughly a quarter of the population size, who will become my friends? What will the people be like? <\/span><\/i>Moving just 2 years after Detroit became the largest municipal in history to file for bankruptcy<\/span><\/i>, how will I find a job? Where will I work?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

During one of our house-hunting trips I was lucky enough to hear about Challenge Detroit <\/a>through a former colleague. As a quick reminder for those of you who are too busy to browse\u00a0the website, Challenge Detroit is a year-long fellowship designed to attract and retain talented leaders to Detroit in an effort to develop and revitalize the city\u2019s core. Roughly 30 fellows per year from vastly diverse locations and backgrounds, will work 4 days a week with varying host companies in a full time position, and on the 5th day come together to work on a social impact project in partnership with a local non-profit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(Hopefully Deirdre, our program director, is reading this with her approving smile nod; did I nail the elevator pitch?) It\u2019s worth noting that Deirdre recently received the 2015 Vanguard Award<\/a> which recognizes individuals who influence the growth, prosperity, and quality of life in Metro Detroit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The program focuses on 5 key pillars, through which I found the answers to my questions:<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Live<\/u>–I reside in a small but significant neighborhood known as Brush Park.<\/strong> Nestled just in between Downtown and Midtown along the main Woodward corridor, (two of the most developed and publicized neighborhoods in Detroit) my streets feel safe yet are peppered with blighted homes and a constant reminder of the economic disparity within my new city.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When we first moved in, I typically told people I lived in Midtown (not too much of a stretch given we\u2019re within just a few blocks of the Wayne State campus) because it was more recognizable, and I wasn\u2019t sure yet how my neighborhood would be perceived. Let me add a bit of context by reiterating that most of my friends and family have never been to Detroit and know only the way the city has been portrayed in the media. Those familiar with Michigan were possibly more astounded after witnessing an iconic American city fall so far. To say the least,\u00a0<\/span>I was met with surprise and skepticism when communicating the decision to move here.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

However since moving in\u00a06 months ago, the new M1 rail <\/a>is being constructed just outside my building\u2019s front door, there is a monstrous new Red Wings stadium <\/a>being developed just across the street (for any Philly readers out there, it\u2019s been likened to Xfinity Live)<\/span>, Dan Gilbert (the biggest private owner of office space in Downtown Detroit) purchased the vacant lots next door and behind my building and announced a significant and much needed housing development, and Nicole Curtis of \u201cRehab Addict\u201d on HGTV began renovations on The Ransom Gillis mansion<\/a>, just a few blocks away. In less than 6 months of being a Detroit resident, my perception of my own neighborhood changed from cautiously reserved to confidently proud.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"IMG_1672\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lead<\/u>–From goal setting to design thinking workshops to presentation tips and tools, Challenge Detroit boot camp was packed with leadership development.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We read the Wall Street Journal<\/em> and BusinessWeek<\/em> #1 Bestseller Strengths Finder<\/b>, and learned about our 5 core strengths, and how to work with each other\u2019s competencies.\u00a0(For anyone wondering or looking for a laugh, my 5 strengths in order are: Achiever, Competition, Intellection, Focus, and Input i.e. collector. Surprising?)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We spent a morning doing improv, playing games and singing in the middle of a circle (to my more intimate crowd, yes I participated, featuring Billy Jean). While I can\u2019t think of many situations where I\u2019ve felt more uncomfortable, this was one of my favorite days and was excellent team-building in\u00a0preparation for the presentations we had to give that afternoon. It’s no surprise\u00a0Forbes<\/a>\u00a0hails improv as\u00a0a great tool for business training.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Aside from the fellowship activities, there are a number of community workshops and discussions available, many for free. Perhaps this exists in other cities, but after living in the New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago areas, I\u2019ve never experienced this type of engagement so readily accessible. Just this past month I\u2019ve attended a #Lean In<\/strong> panel discussion through Detroit Young Professionals<\/strong> and a community workshop on Building an Equitable Workforce, Increasing Access and Removing Barriers to Growing Industries, <\/b>hosted by <\/span>Detroit Future City<\/span><\/a> as part of their <\/span>Ideas for Innovation<\/b><\/a> <\/b>series<\/span>. The degree of conscientious activism in Detroit is overwhelmingly inspirational. As an outsider, my impression is residents are hopeful yet realistic. But most importantly the culture of caring and owning while openly discussing the city’s issues is truly unique.\u00a0Though far from a perfect landscape, no other city I\u2019ve lived in has been as transparent about race and gentrification. So transparent that organizations like Michigan Roundtable<\/a> host public forums on the topic. Discussions are only a start but still a novelty for me.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Work<\/u><\/b>–My host company is Brooks Kushman, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the region. <\/strong>Located in Southfield, I commute approximately 25 minutes to and from work each day. Fortunately I\u2019m often driving against the traffic of suburbanites commuting into the city for work. But people often ask me what the biggest transition was moving here. Undoubtedly transportation.<\/strong> In Chicago, I lived less than a block off the red line which I rode for approximately 11 minutes to the loop and walked 1.5 blocks to my office. My commute was 15-18 minutes from my door to my desk. Getting used to driving not only to work, but pretty much everywhere has been the biggest transition for me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Marketing Coordinator with Brooks Kushman, some of my responsibilities include managing the firms social media and website, assisting with event planning and community outreach, and conducting marketing research to develop new events and initiatives. While thankful for my career experience, I\u2019m excited for the opportunity to work in a new field after spending the past 5 years in financial services and thrilled to be doing something more creative and related to my college degree.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"IMG_1488\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Play<\/u>–Even<\/b>\u00a0prior to starting the program, I made it a point to try as many new bars and restaurants as possible as soon as\u00a0we moved.\u00a0<\/strong>We found that Detroit actually has a thriving culinary scene; there is constantly something new opening up, and there is a wide array of establishments for every crowd to fit any mood from big city foodie to quirky hipster to neighborhood local favorites. <\/span>The biggest challenge for me was finding them. Luckily we have fantastic life-long Detroit neighbors who were instrumental in helping us discover all the city has to offer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now that I\u2019m exposed to even more resources, there is no shortage of events to fill my calendar. From happy hours on Rosetti\u2019s rooftop and Tiger\u2019s games with the program, to festivals like Jazz Fest or Eastern Market After Dark<\/a>, to weekly trivia nights or 3rd street Thursdays with fellow fellows, I\u2019m struggling to get my deeply coveted 8 hours of rest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Give<\/u>–Much like extra-curricular activities, there\u2019s no shortage of non-profit organizations in Detroit either.<\/strong> With so many passionate groups tackling real issues facing the city, my biggest struggle has been choosing just one to devote my time to.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

During Challenge Detroit boot camp we weeded for the Michigan urban farming initiative<\/a>, <\/b>and I discovered a community farm right down my street that I did not previously know existed.\u00a0We also toured\u00a0some non-profits the program has partnered with in the past and learned about prior projects including:<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n