Listen.

Detroit is at a crossroads.

I have said it before and I will say it again -- we cannot operate the way we did 50 years ago or even 10 years ago.

Change is at our doorstep, whether we like it or not.

We have two options.

We can choose to continue fighting change.

We can continue to focus on the vocal minority that would like to see us fail.

Or we can embrace this opportunity to shape a new legacy to proudly hand down to our children and grandchildren.

It is that simple.

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02.19.11

{If you had an opportunity to create/start whatever you wanted and were given 1 million dollars and six months what would this thing be and how would you go about making it happen?}

If someone handed me a million dollars + presented me with a time frame of six months to create + start whatever I wanted, there would be almost one consideration for every dollar that I was given. About seventy percent of those considerations involve adventures around the world, indulging myself in different cultures + histories from every inch of this planet. I want to see the wonders of the world, climb the highest mountains, surf the gnarliest waves. But above all, I want to see my hometown, Detroit, shine.

The one thing I strive for most in life is to make a difference. And I'm not just saying that, because I know a lot of people throw that statement around nonchalantly. I want to be a part of a movement that is so earth-shattering, it not only changes a persons perception of the world, but evokes a new way of thinking + resonates emotionally on an individual level. Having been born and raised in the county of Wayne, I have seen the reaction of people when I tell them I'm from a suburb about 10 miles away from the city of Detroit. I used to shy away from this fact, and even referred to my hometown as East Lansing, a place where I spent six years of my early adult life scouring endless amounts of books in order to complete my B.A. and M.A. in the communications field. Low and behold, I moved back Detroit, + the city that I once disowned started to take me by surprise. So, with a milli in my pocket + endless dreams to pursue, I would love to invest in Detroit, a city that has so much to offer + potential that is tremendously under-estimated. And a place I now am not shy to call home.

Alchemy doesn't happen over night, + without saying, Detroit is not going to be New York, Chicago or LA tomorrow morning. Therefore, with only six months + a million dollars, options are limited. However, it's the momentum + creation of smaller events that eventually builds to become something great. Since Detroit was founded in July, with my million dollar fund I would create a Detroit birthday party, because lets be honest, who doesn't love cupcakes??

It's not everyday that the Motor City celebrates it's 310th birthday. In order to have an event that would capture the attention of the world + put a spotlight on Detroit, if only for a day or a weekend, extensive planning + budgeting would be involved. Participation + sponsorship from local businesses, venues, athletes, political figures, hometown artists + the citizens of Detroit, as well as Metro Detroit, is what would make this celebration a success. For a weekend of birthday celebration, multiple concerts in various venues, such as The Fox, Comerica Park + The Detroit Institute of Arts would ensue. Popular Detroit bars and restaurants can run specials + promote their businesses, as well as Detroit-made dishes + drinks. The Detroit Yacht Club, along with other boating entities, can have a boat show and fireworks on the Detroit River. The 'Big Three' automakers can show off their latest + greatest in the streets where their empires were created. Every night of this birthday weekend can promote a different Detroit event with tickets at a low cost + proceeds going to Detroit non-profit organizations. Although this may sound like a mash-up of things Detroit already offers, there would be only one main focus for the weekend: Detroit. Not the Auto Show, not Fest, not a single sold-out Jay-Z/Eminem concert. Just a celebration of Detroit. The best birthday present that Detroit could receive is the people of the city giving back + the chance to prove its worth. The people are what make this city.

It would only be one step towards the restoration of Detroit, but it's one step closer to the greatness the future holds. So there you have it. One million dollars + months of planning well spent.