Madison Mendiola
Research Mentor(s): Ann Johnson
Mentor Department: Dream of Detroit
Authors: Madison Mendiola, Ann Johnson
Session: Session 7 (4:00pm – 4: 50pm)
Presentation Type: Poster 42
Abstract
In the face of gentrification and economic challenges, community-led revitalization efforts are essential to preserving affordability and fostering social cohesion. Dream of Detroit seeks to combat these issues through housing development, economic empowerment, and community organizing. However, for these efforts to be effective, they must reach the local population, where social media comes into play. My research with this project aims to assess the effectiveness of Dream of Detroit’s social media strategy in fostering community engagement and to provide insights for improvement. During the research process, I analyzed Dream of Detroit’s social media engagement to assess its effectiveness in fostering community involvement. Engagement metrics from platforms like Facebook and Instagram were collected at the beginning and end of the project and were analyzed and compared. I then used initial findings to develop content strategy recommendations that were implemented and evaluated to enhance online community engagement. My analysis shows that social media posts featuring community members and highlights from events typically saw higher levels of engagement than more informational posts. Seasonal content and posts tied to local events also saw increased interactions. Based on these findings, recommendations were made to prioritize personal storytelling and align content with key community moments. While long-term results are still unfolding, these initial trends suggest that a more personalized and timely approach to social media fosters stronger community engagement and participation. Overall, this research highlights the importance of personalized, community-based content in strengthening engagement and fostering social connections. By showing that posts featuring community members and local events generate higher engagement, the findings emphasize the need for grassroots organizations to leverage social media as a strategic tool for mobilization. Addressing the gap in digital community engagement, this research shows how local initiatives can use online platforms to amplify their voices, increasing participation and collective action.
