June 2017

Due to the website crashing every time I tried to post a blog, you guys are getting week 3 a week late (which is fine because I don’t think anyone even reads this). Week three was about community. It was about observation. When I think of observing, I think of listening more than I speak, […]

Something I’ve enjoyed most about my placement is gaining a better understanding of what it’s like to work at a nonprofit organization.  The workplace culture of a nonprofit is much different than that of a corporate office.  Everywhere my supervisor goes she keeps her work in mind.  When we are out running errands she talks

If this week has taught me anything, it is the importance of the unity within a team. It is the partnership and togetherness that ensures success. As easy as it is to think for yourself and be content with that, it hinders progress, growth, and maturity. Unfortunately is it automatic for us humans to think

The culture of my workplace at Osborn Neighborhood Alliance is something special and it is very important to me. It is similar to my culture at home but different in some ways as well. Similar because we share similar experiences and the people I work with for the most part all look like me (i.e. Black).

I could take the easy route out and talk about how cultural cues are abundant, highly educational, and oh so eye-opening for everyone, myself included. Or I could just be downright honest to a fault and admit that I have never been more mentally and emotionally exhausted than I have been in the past nine months

Though this is not my first job, this is my first time working Monday-Friday from 9-5. That means this is my first time truly experiencing a work environment and the culture that comes with it. That said, I have seen my parents’ work environments and I know that my work is very, very different than

The neighborhood I work in, Brightmoor, reminds me of some neighborhoods back home in Saginaw. A lot of the houses are vacant and boarded up. But I noticed how much more full of life the streets of this neighborhood are than in Saginaw. Families are often out walking and taking care of their yards, kids ride

This week was the first time that I’d informally met some of the DFA students, in very few words, it was unpredictable. We began at the Southwest Kitchen where the adults prepared breakfast for the student before we all went out for a day packed with Detroit and Chicago based activities. (Some time was spent

Cultures are what unite us not divide us. Yeah no…let us not do that. That sounds that the beginning of every PowerPoint presentation that U of M shows to the incoming freshman. That sounds like the beginning of every conversation I have with white people. That sounds like something you have already heard and I

Southwest Detroit is rich with culture. It contains a predominantly Mexican population, which is reflected throughout the community. Many of the restaurants serve authentic Mexican food and both English and Spanish can be found all over the community. Through my outreach campaign, I’ve had to use materials written in both English and Spanish to be