community engagement : Features

Urban Innovation Exchange director Claire Nelson takes a look back at Detroit innovators in the national media and highlights 10 of our favorite moments. Of course, as she notes: "…this list barely scratches the surface. But that's exactly our point."

A social entrepreneur, an oil and gas executive, and a politician walk into a conference in Detroit…so what happens next? The short answer: when great minds meet, creative ideas emerge.

Urban revitalization is not built on stadiums and skyscrapers alone. Vibrant cities begin with passionate people working on the ground, doing the creative heavy lifting to make their communities better. Leading up to Urban Innovation Exchange Sept. 24-26 in Detroit, we take a look at 13 small projects with big potential.

For those attending SHAPE North America 2014 (SHAPE NA), many came to the city thinking about cars and bankruptcy with maybe a couple of Motown songs humming through their heads. They left with a whole new respect and admiration for Detroit, dismissing superficial stereotypes after encountering the city's charisma, vibrance, creativity, and resilience.

How can cities better connect all residents to economic opportunity? It's the million-dollar question -- the question we hope our civic leaders, policymakers and philanthropists wake up every morning to answer. It is also a question we ought to be asking ourselves, within our own businesses and organizations: How can each of us help create greater opportunity for all?

Beginning March 10, Detroiters will once again have an opportunity to win funding for their arts projects through the Knight Arts Challenge, offering a share of $3 million for arts and culture projects that engage and enrich the city. The deadline for the contest, now in its second year, is April 7. 

Khalilah Burt Gaston is the new Executive Director of Vanguard Community Development Corporation, and is collaborating with residents, businesses, and institutions along the Grand + Woodward Corridor to implement a cohesive plan for community development as part of the Grand + Woodward Building Sustainable Communities Initiative. 

Elizabeth Garlow is the Executive Director of Michigan Corps, an organization that empowers Michiganders everywhere to connect and collaborate on social innovation in communities across our state. Here she discusses how to define social entrepreneurship without all of the confusing jargon.