Registration is now open for the fourth annual Equity Forum and first Pre-Event Reception. The Forum, to take place at The Corner Ballpark on November 2nd, brings together hundreds of Detroit stakeholders to discuss issues of racial and economic equity affecting our community. This year, the Forum is preceded by a Pre-Event reception that will take place at Ima Izakaya restaurant in Corktown on November 1st.

The theme of this year’s events is Thriving, Resilient Neighborhoods. The forum will feature an engaging and provoking discussion with two dynamic thought leaders – Dr. Andre Perry of Brookings Metro and Naomi Davis of Blacks in Green – and a panel of local leaders where we will explore the intersections between sustainability, economic equity, and community & economic development to explore a vision for a thriving and resilient Detroit and inspire action towards that vision.

Special thanks to all of the Forum and Reception’s sponsors this year, including Gold Sponsor, The Kresge Foundation, Silver Sponsors, Community Financial Credit Union, JPM Chase, and Cinnaire, and to all of our Bronze Sponsors, also.

For more information about the Forum or Reception, or to register, please visit: https://detroitfuturecity.com/2023-equity-forum-events/

A tour and panel discussion, East Ferry Warren: United by Dreams & Design, recently highlighted the work of Detroit Future City, in partnership with residents and non-profits in the East Ferry Warren community to develop and implement a resilient community-driven neighborhood green space vision.

The East Ferry Warren neighborhood (within Poletown East) has seen population loss and disinvestment by the public and private sectors over the last 40 years, leaving residents to create a community transformation of their own. This revitalization is centered on the dreams of the community to be a place of joy and peace. This event, on September 19th, was part of Design Core Detroit’s Month of Design event and highlighted the collaborative process undertaken in developing the vision and plan and provided a tour of green space projects from the plan.

In partnership with community-based organizations, Arboretum Detroit, East Ferry Warren Association, and Field Temple, DFC highlighted projects like the Elmwood Circle Forest, Callahan Meadow, Field Temple, and a connective ‘green loop’ pathway, among others. An engaging discussion moderated by Nicole Brown, Detroit Future City with panelists Jerry Hebron, Oakland Avenue Urban Farms; Katrina Watkins, Bailey Park NDC, Robyn Redding, Arboretum Detroit; and Khalil Ligon, City of Detroit Planning and Development Department.

More information about the event is available here: https://detroitfuturecity.com/event/east-ferry-warren-united-by-dreams-and-design/

Detroit Future City’s Center for Equity, Engagement, and Research released a new report in partnership with Data Driven Detroit, “The Role of Small-Dollar Mortgages in Detroit’s Housing Market.” The report examines the role of small-dollar mortgages in Detroit’s housing market, explains what factors influence the availability and demand for small-dollar mortgages, profiles the dynamics of small-dollar mortgages in three different Detroit neighborhoods, and provides recommendations for increasing small-dollar lending in Detroit for Black homebuyers. DFC developed this report as part of its strategic focus on rebuilding Detroit’s Black Middle Class, acknowledging that homeownership is a critical component to creating generational wealth.

A few key takeaways from the report include:

• In the combined years of 2020 and 2021, there were 26,286 total transactions, of which only 4,959 (19%) were financed using a mortgage. Out of those 4,959 mortgages, only 35% would be categorized as small-dollar mortgages.
• In 2020 and 2021, Detroit recorded 9,450 mortgage applications, of which only 3,697 (39%) were in the $30,000–$100,000 range. Ultimately, only 47% of these small-dollar mortgages were originated.
• Quality housing stock is limited in the $30,000-$100,000 price range and the cost of repair is usually staggering. This decreases demand for these homes and minimizes homebuyers’ ability to obtain mortgages and build equity through homeownership.
• Providing funding to Community Development Organizations for home repair, along with supporting nonprofit lenders, CDFIs, and credit unions which have more accessible loan products, is critical Concurrently, investments need to be made in neighborhoods to increase home values and improve housing stock.

The report is funded by Black Wealth Data Center, with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative. The full research report is available here:
https://detroitfuturecity.com/data_reports/small-dollar-mortgages-the-role-of-small-dollar-mortgages-in-detroits-housing-market/

Detroit Future City’s new report, A Call for Reparative Investment in Black Bottom Paradise Valley, calls for reparative investments to reverse the immense loss of Black wealth, culture, and community that occurred in the name of urban renewal, including the loss experienced as a result of the destruction of historic Black Bottom and Paradise Valley neighborhoods.

In the report, DFC advocates for a major restorative process wherein community voices from Black Detroiters, the people who were impacted by these past harms inflicted by local, state, and federal government, are engaged in deciding how future investments are made to ensure there are reparative outcomes.

The report highlights several recommendations that would support reparative outcomes in Black Bottom and Paradise Valley and calls for all Detroiters, governmental agencies, investors, civic leaders, and community and economic development practitioners to apply a restorative framework to their current and proposed investments, policies, and programs to produce reparative and transformational outcomes in Black Bottom and Paradise Valley.

To read the full publication, click the link below:
https://detroitfuturecity.com/data_reports/a-call-for-reparative-investment-in-black-bottom-paradise-valley/

DFC’s work was recently featured in the following national media publications:

DFC is very proud to announce that its Director of Strategic Partnerships, Nicole Brown, has been selected for the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit program in Class 44. Congrats Nicole!

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3t35PUA.

DFC is proud to announce that Shari Williams, Detroit Future City’s Director of Community Engagement, was recently named Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Association of Planning (MAP). The mission of MAP is to help Michigan to consist of healthy, safe, attractive, and successful communities built first and foremost on quality community planning. View the full board at: https://www.planningmi.org/map-board-members.

DFC is now looking to hire a Program Manager with its Community and Economic Development team. This new team member will facilitate engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, including employers, workforce agencies, educational institutions, government partners, workers, and students to develop recommendations for removing barriers to equitable employment and enhancing opportunities for the current and future workforce in advanced mobility.

Learn more at the following link: https://bit.ly/48LcCT9.