When I wrote my first blog post about Detroit, I mentioned that the streets looked empty, the parking lots appeared vacant, and the buildings seemed neglected. Looking at those same structures eight weeks later, they still appear vacant and neglected. However, these streets, lots, and buildings serve a much deeper meaning than just their physical appearance. They represent the grit, pride, and the resilience of thousands of Detroiters who live in a city that has put them through so much. Despite multiple crises that have shaken Detroit at its roots, the 2013 bankruptcy and the 2014 water shutoffs, the citizens of Detroit refuse to give up on their city. The city’s motto “Speramus meliora; resurget cineribus”, “Rising From the Ashes,” resonates deeply with the people of Detroit. Whether it’s TechTown’s hardworking employees who volunteer their own time to help businesses thrive in low-income neighborhoods, the socially minded entrepreneurs who are passionately solving Detroit’s most pressing problems, or the numerous non-profit organizations that are helping rebuild the city- the people of Detroit care.
Unfortunately, these two months in Detroit have come to a close. I have learned so much about Detroit’s history, culture, and current plans for revitalization during our weekly Friday enrichment activities, exploring the city’s many historical destinations, as well as getting to know local Detroiters and entrepreneurs. This place has undoubtedly become my home.
Professionally, I have learned so much as well. Through Mabel and I’s partnership, I have come to better understand the importance of using direct communication to resolve conflicts, compromise, and teamwork. Although Mabel and I were initially assigned together, we never saw each other as Duke students we were simply required to work with. During these two months, we saw each others as complimentary partners working together to accomplish the same goals. The most challenging part of our time at TechTown was sometimes not having structure. Everyday Mabel and I would come into work and set our daily goals- creating our own schedules, timelines, and deadlines, while checking in with Betsy periodically. Although we did not have much direction, we were able to use this flexibility and trust given by Betsy to really take control of our own work.
Now that the program has ended, I can finally reflect on the deliverables Mabel and I were able give to TechTown. Throughout these two months, Mabel and I had been constantly worried that the deliverables we would be producing could be forgotten, unused, or unhelpful to TechTown’s staff. Now, I am proud to say that through hard work and a realistic outlook, the many things Mabel and I produced this summer have certainly created tangible impact.
DTX Launch Detroit now has, for the first time, a 4-year economic impact report detailing the quantitative and qualitative metrics gathered on the program’s 115 graduates and 41 teams. Anne and Nick now have a case for support on the Launch Detroit program that they can use as a foundation for any new grant applications. Betsy now has a detailed campus directory list containing over 150 university, minority, and business organization contacts to broaden DTX Launch Detroit’s program marketing, especially targeting minority groups and women. Abess has directly implemented our market research and competitive analysis into CityInsight’s pitch deck, utilized our revisions for the final executive summary, and submitted our written responses for the Smart City Challenge. In fact, we just learned that Abess, with our assistance, was selected as a winner of the Mccomb Community College Innovation Fund Competition, winning $25,000! With so many things Mabel and I were able to accomplish during these last two months, I can’t help but feel proud of the tangible difference we made at TechTown.
But above all, the most rewarding part of my time here was the wonderful people I got to work with. Each of TechTown’s employees that I got to know was so accommodating, sweet, and passionate about their work. Shout out to Betsy, Paul, Francis, Anne, and Nick for being so awesome!
DTX Launch Detroit now has, for the first time, a 4-year economic impact report detailing the quantitative and qualitative metrics gathered on the program’s 115 graduates and 41 teams. Anne and Nick now have a case for support on the Launch Detroit program that they can use as a foundation for any new grant applications. Betsy now has a detailed campus directory list containing over 150 university, minority, and business organization contacts to broaden DTX Launch Detroit’s program marketing, especially targeting minority groups and women. Abess has directly implemented our market research and competitive analysis into CityInsight’s pitch deck, utilized our revisions for the final executive summary, and submitted our written responses for the Smart City Challenge. In fact, we just learned that Abess, with our assistance, was selected as a winner of the Mccomb Community College Innovation Fund Competition, winning $25,000! With so many things Mabel and I were able to accomplish during these last two months, I can’t help but feel proud of the tangible difference we made at TechTown.
But above all, the most rewarding part of my time here was the wonderful people I got to work with. Each of TechTown’s employees that I got to know was so accommodating, sweet, and passionate about their work. Shout out to Betsy, Paul, Francis, Anne, and Nick for being so awesome!
Now leaving Detroit, I can’t help but feel like a different person. My overall “life roadmap” may have even altered its direction. Through working with so many aspiring college entrepreneurs and successful entrepreneurs, I have been extremely inspired and motivated to pursue entrepreneurship myself. I hope to carry on with me the passion, grit, and resilience of a true Detroiter wherever I go in life, especially as I return to Duke to pursue my own entrepreneurial venture.
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