Hello Micah,
I bet it feels good to be ‘home’ for the summer. I bet it also feels like you know Detroit and all its ins and outs. The reality is you don’t. This will be an exciting and learning experience for you as you will grow professionally and personally. Come into this program and your job with an open mind, eager to learn, while using your lived experiences as a contribution to the work you seek to do this summer. Remember that the work you do should not be egotistical but selfless in nature. DCBRP is a community based program–emphasis on community. Keep the community and social justice at the forefront of your work.
This 9-5 lifestyle, working on a energy efficient project will be challenging and unfamiliar for you. It will push you out of your comfort zone and make you think critically than ever before. However, do not be discouraged by the work, the jargon, or the environment. Utilize the skills you gained from prior research experiences, the lessons you learned from your extracurricular work, and the experiences you have from being a native Detroiter. Micah, it’ll all be worth while. You’ll gain so many skills that’ll be applicable to your future endeavors and you’ll finally have conducted research in the city that you were born and raised.
Detroit means a lot to you. At a time in your life, you would say Detroit was the city of hustlers. At another time, you would say residents in Detroit never give up. Now, you perceive Detroit as a “Bounce Back” city, as Detroit’s finest rapper Big Sean would say in his hit song Bounce Back. You believe in Detroit and always have. Now, it’s time to take that support and admiration for the city and charge it to the work you will do and the people who’ll do it for.
Take Care Micah,
Me
Hi Micah :-). I am glad that you get to be home for the summer! Being in Detroit reminds me of my hometown Saginaw. I am glad/excited to spend this summer with you and our cohorts!
Here’s to a summer of learning, growing, and giving back to a beautiful city and community!
Take care,
Julia
Hi Micah,
I can totally relate to how you feel like you think you know the ins and out of Detroit but you really don’t. I have already learned new food places,streets, and activities to do in Midtown that I never knew about. I loved it when you said you wanted to keep why you were doing this program at the forefront of your mind! Keeping the commu ity and social justice work in your mind is really a good idea.
I hope that you will be able to look back at this letter with happiness. Knowing that you accomplished these things and more!
Best,
Calahna