Yesterday, Detroit Future City published its latest research report, known as the Growth Occupations report. This new study, developed in partnership with the Brookings Institution, identifies the top growth occupations in Metro Detroit, explores how uneven participation in growing employment occupations by race and class are exacerbating inequality in the Detroit area, and offers solutions for more equitable access. 

The research team for this report found that while these well-paying growth occupations are helping to power regional growth, access to well-paying growth occupations is inequitable and that race, place, and education play a role in shaping access to these jobs.

“There are good jobs in the Detroit area with strong prospects and growing wages, but Black and Latino residents are less likely to hold them,” said Anika Goss, President and CEO of Detroit Future City. “We need more of these jobs, better local preparation of workers to hold them, and more equitable access to them if we are to grow and prosper as a region.” 

A free webinar is planned to explore the report’s findings and implications on March 8th, 2023. Registration is open now. Funding for this report and the accompanying webinar was made possible thanks in part to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

A green loop walking trail is now under development in the East Ferry Warren neighborhood of southeast Detroit – with support from Detroit Future City and a host of community organizations and grant makers.

The loop, now in its first phase, will traverse community gardens and greenspaces along 0.8 of a mile, running south from the Elmwood Circle Forest at East Ferry and Elmwood streets. Detroit Future City is providing funding and technical support to project partners including the East Ferry Warren Community Association and Arboretum Detroit, among others.

“This loop was first formally envisioned during the pandemic through a community green space plan we helped create with neighborhood residents,” explains Sarah Hayosh, Land Use and Sustainability Director at Detroit Future City. “Community partners built on what they had already done and the green space plan, and now the loop is being developed collaboratively.”

Funding support for development of the neighborhood green space plan and Elmwood Circle Forest were provided by the Americana Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Fund. General Motors and others have provided support for design and early stage development of the green loop.

“We are seeking funding support to completely build out and enhance the features of the East Ferry Warren Green Loop,” Hayosh noted. “Anyone who wants to get involved or lend support can contact our Development Director, Kate Cherry, to find out more.”

After seven years in New Center’s Boulevard Building, Detroit Future City has relocated its offices to Techtown, 440 Burroughs, in Midtown. The organization is currently outfitting its space to meet its ever-changing needs. Look for DFC team members next time you pass through the area.

Detroit LISC has awarded Detroit Future City a full time AmeriCorps member to serve as a Community Engagement Coordinator. The ideal candidate is outgoing and passionate about advancing the quality of life for Detroiters. The successful candidate will receive a stipend, training, and other benefits through the LISC AmeriCorps program. If you know of someone that might be interested, please share with them and/or your network. For the full service description, and to apply, visit here.

The Black Wealth Data Center, in partnership with the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership, recently awarded Detroit Future City and Data Driven Detroit a $25,000 grant as part of the Advancing Black Wealth through Local Data and Engagement grant program. Funds from the grant program are being used to support local data projects that will increase the use of wealth-related data, build the data capacity of local organizations working to increase Black wealth, and inform solutions to increase racial wealth inequality. For its part, Detroit Future City and partner Data Driven Detroit will team together to better understand challenges of home purchase financing at different price points.

Anika Goss, President and CEO of Detroit Future City, recently appeared alongside Dr. Andre Perry on the Authentically Detroit podcast. Speaking about a new effort to reduce economic inequality and promote wealth building among people of color in Detroit – Buy Back the Block – the pair engaged in a lively discussion with show hosts Donna Givens and Orlando Bailey. Check out the full program here.

The Open Space Working Group meets bimonthly to discuss opportunities for expanding open space in Detroit. This month, the group is meeting on February 14th at 3 pm. For more information or to register to participate, please contact Patrick Crouch.

The Detroit Neighborhood Housing Compact meets monthly. This group works to expand access to quality affordable housing for low- and moderate-income Detroiters. The next meeting will feature a presentation from the Housing Michigan Coalition around recent housing legislation passed by the legislature in Lansing in December. It is scheduled for February 21st at 10:30 am on Zoom. For more information or to register to participate, please contact Alissa Shelton, Senior Program Manager for Community and Economic Development.