Rebrand Detroit Stories is an original series, a collection of stories, short films, talks and physical experiences of Detroiters who are fueling Detroit’s resurgence.  This series takes a look behind the scene of our city and introduces people to everyday citizens whose hustle, resilience and passion are impacting the place they live, work and play.  These stories, highlighting people who refused to accept the national narrative, are  birthed out of work they are doing in neighborhoods all across the city from Grandmont Rosedale, West Village, the Hope District and beyond.   We believe that a city’s brand is comprised of its people and these creative pieces aim to inspire regular citizens to do what is in their heart and help build a city for all people.

Rebrand Detroit Stories - Stories about people who can’t afford skyscrapers

Rebrand Detroit launched last year because the Knight Foundation decided to take a bet on my idea to innovate Detroit neighborhoods.  As much as I love my city there are times that I have a love hate relationship with Detroit.  I hear the stories of people who are not from Detroit who are making Detroit, Detroit.  I wanted to do a series about people who couldn’t afford to buy a skyscraper but were doing amazing work in neighborhoods.  Gritty entrepreneurs fighting the challenges of building a business in neighborhoods with no foot traffic with major throughways running through them and so Rebrand Detroit stories was birthed.  

Rebrand Detroit Stories is an original series, a collection of stories, short films, talks and physical experiences of Detroiters who are fueling Detroit’s resurgence.  This series takes a look behind the scene of our city and introduces people to everyday citizens whose hustle, resilience and passion are impacting the place they live, work and play.  These stories, highlighting people who refused to accept the national narrative, are  birthed out of work they are doing in neighborhoods all across the city from Grandmont Rosedale, West Village, the Hope District and beyond.   We believe that a city’s brand is comprised of its people and these creative pieces aim to inspire regular citizens to do what is in their heart and help build a city for all people.

Our original list of stories are about barbers, a bookshop, a coffee shop that is closing it’s doors, and a guy who had a dream of starting a bike ride.

Inspired by my CNN Black in America 4:  The New Promised Land Silicon Valley story.