Guild’s Post

In my latest commentary for USA TODAY, I fill in a missing piece to the overall narrative about #Chicago during the #DNC: what Chicagoans actually think about their city.

🦁 Feeling the Roar of Detroit Lions! 🦁 Last night's thrilling victory by the Detroit Lions wasn't just a win on the field; it was a reflection of Detroit's indomitable spirit. As a proud Detroiter and an innovator, witnessing this triumph fills me with immense joy and optimism for our city's future. But what truly stands out for me is the remarkable dedication of our team members in nurturing our communities, particularly the youth. Their commitment is igniting a spark in our young people, teaching them that we, as Detroiters, deliver on our promises with vigor and heart. Looking forward to February 3rd, 'The Future of Our Youth in Tech' event, a collaboration between Google Code, Black Tech Saturdays, and Derrick Coleman’s DC Elite Foundation, is set to make a significant impact. I am eagerly anticipating this day, ready to embrace and incorporate the insights! These initiatives by our community leaders and organizations exemplify the essence of Detroit's spirit. They're not just contributing; they're shaping a brighter, more technologically advanced, and ethically conscious future for our youth. As we move into 2024, it's exhilarating to witness and be a part of the positive strides our community is making. The dedication to enriching lives and empowering the next generation of leaders is what Detroit is all about. Here's to more victories, in our communities and beyond. Detroit is on the rise, and our actions are speaking louder than words! 🌟 #DetroitLions #CommunitySpirit #YouthEmpowerment #GoogleCode #BlackTechSaturdays #DCElite #TechInnovation #ActuallyClean #DetroitProud #FutureLeaders

As you take some time this January to reflect on your goals for 2024, there’s a good opportunity to think about the communities we impact and how we can engage with them. In this article from our summer magazine I share some of my thoughts on the power of community at WSCPA and offer some ideas for engagement. https://lnkd.in/gXizmhPW

Say it loud! 📣The arts are essential and a human right! To limit students access to arts education is to deny critical opportunities for social emotional development as well as other critical aptitudes: Confidence, creative problem-solving, cultural awareness, communication, conflict resolution, collaborative empathy and self-awareness. Decreasing support for arts education limits the ability for low-income communities to envision the many possible pathways that exist in both arts and non-arts professions. The proposed cuts disproportionately impact students in those communities.

A confluence of powerful forces — including major real estate investment and more savvy fiscal management — is putting Detroit back on the map more than a decade after its historic bankruptcy. The city is shining in the national spotlight after an attendance record-shattering stint as host of the NFL Draft highlighted a drastic downtown revitalization. Detroit hosted more than 775,000 downtown last week, beating the previous NFL Draft record (600,000) set by Nashville in 2019. The city's unique draft threaded through its downtown core to show off new construction and restored historic buildings — instead of the blighted buildings that brought the city a reputation for "ruin porn." Detroit leaders said yesterday that they expect the event's success to change the nation's perception of the city, drawing in more events and businesses to capitalize on its energy. The city devastated by decades of population loss is achieving new milestones in its recent revitalization efforts... The city's attracted heavy real estate development — incoming or underway — from Ford and two Detroit-born billionaires: Stephen Ross and Dan Gilbert, the majority owner of Rocket Mortgage. In Detroit, a majority-Black city, the net housing wealth of Black homeowners grew by $2.8 billion (80%) between 2014 and 2022, a recent study found. In March, it achieved an investment-grade credit rating for the first time in 15 years, showing strong financial health. Reality check: The "comeback" narrative has also drawn questions from some residents and activists around who truly benefits from new investment. Tax incentives for billionaires draw both praise and protest in a city that is still struggling with poverty and inequities.

Excited to hear from the incredible Lauren Levins Global Business Leader, who's about to share her valuable insights with our Chapter! This dynamic leader is sure to impart some precious 'jewels' of wisdom. Can't wait to learn from her! Make sure you join us! #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #ProfessionalGrowth"

Hollywood's New Private School Arms Race The rules of the game are changing for Independent Schools; heads of schools are scrutinized, and schools are being pushed to greater extremes to compete. See the full article here: https://loom.ly/St4Y3GM #IndependentSchools #DiversityinEducation #DiversityinIndependentSchools

We cannot move forward as a city and a nation to build a more inclusive and prosperous society with economic opportunities for everyone without understanding the history of why we are where we are today. A documentary by filmmakers Bruce Orenstein and Chris L. Jenkins, "Shame of Chicago, Shame of the Nation," trace a direct line from white Chicagoans using everything from bombs to legal documents to prevent African-Americans from living in their neighborhoods. This created deeply entrenched segregation and is one of the main reason for today's wide chasm between Black and white household wealth. This important four part series premieres April 18 on WTTW-Channel 11. We all need to face the historic truth that for many decades in the 20the century, Chicago was an epicenter of the nation’s racist housing practices. Understanding our history is essential to learn, act, and change the trajectory of our city and nation into a brighter future for all of us.

In December 2023, I was invited by Courtney Christensen from Kansas City Public Library to give a keynote to open their 150th anniversary celebrations. In January I learned that ART IN THE LOOP FOUNDATION, the public art program for #KansasCity run by Downtown Council of Kansas City, had been so inspired by the talk that they had chosen #convivencia as the theme for their public art summer with KC STREETCAR AUTHORITY. This is the impact that I hoped to see from my research. In my latest newsletter, Ann Holliday and Edwing Mendez talk about how the capability of #coexistence transformed into more than 20 performances and installations. I find this story of Kansas City so inspiring. The big takeaways from it are: 1. There is no greater tool for communicating values than #publicart. 2. Public authorities have power and should use their power on how public spaces are used as a platform for the arts. 3. The biggest investments in the arts are not done by growing the cultural budget but incorporating the arts into public infrastructure. 4. Even when working on serious subjects, like downturn revitalization, do not forget play and wonder. Read the entire article here: https://lnkd.in/e6P3Y-wc

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