Since moving to Detroit just a little short of a month ago, I’ve become a lot more comfortable in this new, exciting environment. Embracing the diverse cultures and ideas that I’ve encountered on my adventures throughout the city has been one of the most interesting and fun aspects of life here.
The past two weeks, I’ve been able to make it to Slow Roll on Monday nights. I feel like this is a perfect example of how Detroit represents so many diverse backgrounds and cultures. People from all over the city (those living both inside and out) come together in a friendly, fun, and relaxed bike ride. It’s funny how a bike ride with an average of over 3,000 people can feel so tight-knit and hometown-ey, but somehow it does! Slow Roll even emphasizes that their rides are for everyone, and that nobody will be left behind. I think that it is events like that that really capture how connected we all really are, and the pride that so many take in this city.
The culture at the Green Garage is also something I’ve grown accustomed to. Through working at the Green Garage, it is apparent by the wide open setup of the building and community engagement events that the staff puts a ton of effort into that this is a very inclusive and accepting community. In an article that was recently published by Model D Media about the Green Garage, a business owner that operates out of the building stated that she feels the Green Garage is, “a small microcosm of how the universe should be.” I couldn’t agree more!
Similarly, FoodLab’s culture is one that is very welcoming, supportive, relaxed, but energizing. The workplace culture of FoodLab and within the Green Garage really encourages collaboration and connection among organizations, people and groups. That being said, I’ve met a wide variety of people in the Green Garage. Some people grew up in Detroit and have been here most of their life, others recently moved back after living in nearby suburbs or outside of Michigan for a while, while some have moved here from outside of Michigan within the last 5-10 years. Moreover, there are many racial and ethnic backgrounds represented. Regardless, it seems that everyone that I have met from the Green Garage are connected in some way or another because of their commitment to a just and sustainable future for Detroit. Everyone here believes there is good in Detroit, and are actively working to BE the good they wish to see in Detroit.
Below is a picture of Marjai and I lookin fab after a lovely day of work at the Green Garage! Behind us is a wall of photos of people who work at the Green Garage, and historic pictures of the building before and after its renovation.
When was this pic taken? Was this the first day?
I think it was sometime during the second week!