Mackenzie Hewitt
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
UROP Fellowship: Detroit Community-Engaged Research Program
Research Mentor(s): Andrew Kaplowitz
ProsperUs
Presentation Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 | DCERP Showcase
Authors: Mackenzie Hewitt
Abstract
Hello, my name is Mackenzie Hewitt. I’m a senior majoring in Sociology and Art and Design.
I worked with ProsperUS, which focuses on growing Detroit businesses by providing entrepreneurial training,microloans, and technical assistance, for low-income and minority business owners. I got to collaborate with Torisa Johnson, another DCERP student who interned at FoodLab. Our two organizations are conducting an initiative sponsored by the Tapestry Project to grow Black businesses in America. Torisa and I analyzed the program’s components including a training course, a lending circle, and technical assistance services. We conducted interviews with the food entrepreneurs, and wrote a report based on our findings. This report will serve as a resource to our organizations, as well as future aspiring entrepreneurs. Working on this project reaffirmed for me that substantial change requires a multitude of prolonged efforts on many scales. Although it felt minor, even our report was a meaningful contribution to this growth. I was inspired to hear the stories of Detroit entrepreneurs, and learn the importance of small businesses in neighborhood revitalization. After working alongside professionals at ProsperUS who strive for equity every day, I feel even more encouraged to pursue a similar career in social change.
Research Disciplines
Social Sciences, Community-Engaged
