July 2018

*Jonathan Van Ness voice* Motown? Who is she? I’m embarrassed I didn’t really know.  As we walked up to the museum, though, “My Girl” was playing, and something deep and guttural in me started singing along–I’d heard it many times before! My Mom has been playing Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, The Temptations, and Diana Ross in the […]

Rereading my letter to myself from Week 1 has encouraged me to reflect on these busy, full 9 weeks I’ve spent in Detroit. So much has happened in a relatively short amount of time, and I’m so glad to have the opportunity to debrief them a bit. First, I am immensely thankful for the people

Reading the prompt for this week made me cringe a bit. I didn’t want to go back and read my letter. I distinctly remember putting off writing it because it felt so uncomfortable to type to myself in the third person. I was absolutely right if you’re wondering, shouldn’t have read it. I’m having flashbacks

I’ve decided to use this blog to reflect on our group meetings and activities generally. I’ve been to Detroit, taken tours of the city, and been to events meant to highlight the culture and history of the city. However, this summer has been unlike any other experience I’ve had in Detroit. I’ve been given an

Hi, Now that I have your attention, allow me to clarify that this is not a post about me having it out for the fall of Detroit because corporations are doing that without my help. In the book, How to Kill a City, the author informs the readers of his theories about gentrification and its effects on cities

This week has been giving me whiplash with all of the emotional highs and lows, but the consistent support of the people I have met here has made each meeting, outing, and event so enjoyable and worthwhile. My situation was fairly unique to the cohort; I didn’t have a roommate and was the only person from

Of all the things that I have been given the opportunity to do in Detroit this summer, our Tuesday group meetings have to be a highlight for me. While each event and program that we have attended has been unique and different, they all have complimented each other. They have all told the same story

Oh my goodness y’all, the program is almost over. That is absolutely wild, I’m shocked at how quickly the time has gone. Even weekly, I would be amazed at how quickly the weekday would go then *poof* it was the weekend. I’m feeling super grateful to have been accepted into this program (thanks Jenna! thanks

Over the course of the program we have attended meetings every Tuesday and Thursday as a group, gathering for celebrations like Juneteenth, and town halls that discussed the state of gentrification in Detroit. We’ve gone on walking tours that discussed the history of slavery in Detroit, and traveled to Dearborn for the Concert of Colors.

I’ve heard a number of complaints (no names) about the frequency of group meetings, and I have to honestly say that I’ve really enjoyed having so many. They’ve served as such a great way to meet the people in this group, and there are so many amazing ones to get to know. But they’ve also