Detroit Future City Brings Together Regional Leaders at the DIA

October 20, 2015

The Detroit Future City (DFC) Implementation Office is hosting several industry and thought leaders from Southeast Michigan and nationally to address the importance of regional collaboration for the final event of the six-part Ideas for Innovation series.  The event, The Making of a Shared Regional Vision, will take place on Tuesday, October 27, 6 p.m., at the Detroit Institute of Arts’ (DIA) Lecture Hall.  Ideas for Innovation is funded by The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

“Many of the imperatives laid out in the DFC Strategic Framework can best be realized for Detroit if we can steward strong regional collaboration and cooperation,” said Dan Kinkead, DFC Implementation Office Acting Director. “The Making of a Shared Regional Vision is fitting to end our Ideas for Innovation series, as it will address issues pertinent to the City’s advancement in all areas we’ve discussed in the previous five events, but through a regional lens. “

The event will open with remarks from Annmarie Erickson, the DIA’s COO, who will discuss the museum’s tri-county millage support. The following speakers will give brief presentations and participate in a panel discussion:

• Hunter Morrison, Director of Vibrant Northeast Ohio (Vibrant NEO) will bring lessons learned from Cleveland and how planning a future together can lead to a vibrant and sustainable region
• Michael Ford, CEO of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) will speak about building a coalition around regional transportation in advance of the 2016 ballot for millage.
• Ponsella Hardaway, Executive Director of Metropolitan Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength (MOSES) will address the social dynamics of regionalism and role of faith based community.
• John Austin, Director of Great Lakes Economic Initiative will relay how the Great Lakes are key to our global competitiveness as a region.

Ideas for Innovation has brought together more than 800 attendees to discuss topics ranging from developing an open space network to equitable growth. The five events evoked conversations around the DFC Strategic Framework’s priorities by featuring renowned local and national thought leaders and subject matter experts. All events were followed by a publication that laid out specific actionable ideas garnered from the events.

“Knight Foundation’s mission is to foster informed and engaged communities, and DFC’s Ideas for Innovation has been an excellent platform to advance these efforts for Detroiters,” said Katy Locker, Detroit program director of the Knight Foundation. “We’ve been thrilled to see how many Detroiters have engaged in these events, and the action-oriented recommendations that DFC has been able to document for future efforts in our city.”

The Making of a Shared Regional Vision will be followed by a reception. Registration is available here.

About Ideas for Innovation

“Ideas for Innovation” was established to provide a platform for collaboration and discussion on Detroit’s future.  The Making of a Shared Regional Vision is the final event of the six-part series funded by The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The first five events were attended by over 800 people in total, and centered on A Case for Open Space, Strengthening the City’s Neighborhoods, Opportunities for Innovation, the Making of a Great City, and Equitable Growth.