{"id":16250,"date":"2016-06-27T13:56:27","date_gmt":"2016-06-27T13:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/?post_type=blogpost&p=16250"},"modified":"2016-06-27T13:56:27","modified_gmt":"2016-06-27T13:56:27","slug":"fellow-spotlight-harsha-nahata","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/fellow-spotlight-harsha-nahata\/","title":{"rendered":"Fellow Spotlight: Harsha Nahata"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tell us about living in Detroit. What neighborhood do you live in and what things make it unique and exciting. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"harsha1\"I live in Midtown, right across the street from the VA and Harper hospital. I love how walkable the location is – it\u2019s an easy stroll to the museums, Wayne State\u2019s campus and a number of bars, shops and restaurants. I love being able to step outside my apartment into activity and people.<\/p>\n

There is a lot of new development in Midtown, and everyday it seems like a new business or building is popping up. But I love finding the little nooks and crannies that carry a reminder of what this place used to be and what a rich history it carries.<\/p>\n

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What have you learned from Challenge Detroit so far? <\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve learned that it takes time to truly learn and get to know a place and a community. Building trust is a slow process – one that means proving we are genuine and will stay. This process is just as, if not more important than the results or impact.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve also learned that the identity and energy you bring into spaces can\u2019t be removed from you. This year has made me reflect on my identity, how I might be perceived and what it means to enter communities and spaces in a respectful way.<\/p>\n

Tell us about your host company and your role in the organization. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"harsha2\"I work with the Public Affairs team at DTE Energy. I started on the communications side and recently switched over to strategy and major initiatives. I\u2019ve focused on corporate citizenship, volunteerism and the Foundation. It has been a huge learning experience to see how a big corporation, with statewide reach, approaches social impact. Throughout the year, I\u2019ve seen our company\u2019s involvement in a variety of city events including the Campus Martius tree lighting, Winter Blast, and Grand Prix. I have also helped with a number of initiatives including a revamp for our company wide volunteer program, the annual corporate citizenship report and developing a proposal for expanding electrical safety programming in schools.<\/p>\n

What kind of impact do you hope to have with your host company and within the city?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"harsha3\"One of the biggest lessons I took away from this year was that it is hard to predict the impact you will have in any situation. What I hope to bring everywhere I go is my creativity and desire to create a positive experience. I\u2019m often reminded of advice we received during our first challenge: give what you feel. I hope that no matter the context, I am able to honestly give what I feel.<\/p>\n

As your fellowship year comes to a close what do you hope to do next and how has your experience as a Fellow impacted your vision for your future? <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"harsha4\"I received a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council on behalf of the Council of Pacific Americans to create a short documentary film about the Asian American community in metro Detroit, specifically youth growing up in first generation households. The fellowship helped introduce me to numerous connections without which I wouldn\u2019t have been able to find – or fund – this project. I\u2019m excited to take what I have learned this year about project and team management and apply it to something so close to my heart and personal experience next year.<\/p>\n

To learn even more about Harsha’s year as a Challenge Detroit Fellow check out her spotlight video below.
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