A series of three surveys from the University of Michigan’s Detroit Metro Area Communities Study sheds new light on which media platforms are shaping Detroiters’ views. Television is by far the most commonly relied upon source of news, with 74% of Detroit residents saying they typically get news from TV.

As AliReda Jeafar approaches graduation at UM-Dearborn, he has a full-time job with the City of Detroit that he loves. But it took a reassessment of goals and a life detour to find a career path he’s passionate about.

“We had the privilege of collaborating with the University of Michigan, which provided us with valuable data and evidence-based measures. As a result, we were able to conduct additional focus groups. It was wonderful to gain the data piece.”

~ Shardaya Fuquay, executive director of Journey to Healing

“There is so much structurally that holds back businesses owned by people of color, and the network I am a part of is hoping to turn that upside down.”
~ Lily Hamburger, Ross School alumna

Crescendo was founded by alum Damien Crutcher in 2013. It’s an after-school program for children ages 5 to 18 that develops music and dance programming to promote artistic excellence and character building. Crescendo has worked with roughly 125 students in Detroit and also has partnerships with institutions like U-M and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the University of Michigan Center for Innovation in Detroit is scheduled from 3-4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 2121 Cass Ave.

Angela D. Dillard, the Richard A. Meisler Collegiate Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies and in the Residential College, and chair of the Department of History in LSA, has been appointed to the new role and will begin Jan. 1.

Testing of a new automated shuttle is underway at the University of Michigan’s Mcity Test Facility to ensure the technology is ready to safely serve older adults and people with disabilities in the city of Detroit. Earlier this month, U-M researchers kicked off several months of testing with an automated vehicle provided by May Mobility, a leader in the development and deployment of AV technology. 

University of Michigan graduate Ryan Myers-Johnson, founder and executive director of Sidewalk Detroit, created the festival as an annual event to honor the charm and uniqueness of Detroit’s neighborhood streetscapes.The festival celebrates the vibrant culture and heritage of the Northwest Detroit neighborhood of Old Redford, known for its rich history and diverse community.