“Unfortunately, almost by definition, early stage startups have no revenue and little money to pay attorneys for much needed legal services. Because the clinic is free of charge, I never have to turn away a client for inability to pay.”
~ Tifani Sadek, co-director of Michigan Law’s Zell Entrepreneurship Clinic
How do you make sure that growth is good? This was the overarching question students at The School at Marygrove explored for their final projects about creating equitable growth in their hometown of Detroit. It was the culminating assignment for the economics class taught by lead teacher Brandon Moss and student teacher Hunter Janness.
The students met with Detroit entrepreneurs and energy experts to understand the most pressing energy needs in the city. Those meetings helped them create how-to guides on how Detroit business owners can make their business “greener” and obtain funding through the Inflation Reduction Act to make changes.
To evaluate the impact of these projects and document lessons learned along the way, CEDAM has partnered with Trina Shanks, University of Michigan social work professor, and her team at the Center for Equitable Family and Community Well-Being. The team will gather and analyze data from network member programs to improve understanding of the impact of student participation in these savings accounts.
“Working on this case honestly made me realize how much air quality is affecting Detroit residents—particularly minority residents such as Latinxs and African-Americans that live within the southwest side of the city,” wrote Dolores Perales. “So, in researching this case, it was interesting to see what is going on, what can be done, and what are the potential things that we as residents and allies can do to mitigate these issues, not only within Detroit, but as in Cecilia’s case, Southwest Los Angeles.”
This exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum reveals the faces and stories of those in prison. It lifts up the voices of those who have been silenced by the criminal legal system. The Humanize the Numbers project gives them a freedom not normally allowed in prison. They share their stories with the world outside. By doing so, those in prison reclaim their humanity.
Yvette Rock’s empathetic approach has had that effect on scores of people in the community through her many initiatives connected to art. “I started thinking about what it would mean for Yvette Rock to be a ‘live coal,'” she said. “What would it mean for me to be someone in the city of Detroit who helps set these things in motion, this artistic venture in motion, you know, like being a spark in the city, causing others to be excited about art?”
“We want to build housing for everyone from young people trying to find their place in this world to older single people looking for a clean, safe home. There is too much emphasis on building bigger housing for young families, i.e. single-family houses.”
~ Jon Zemke, U-M alum
To make sure their business solutions are targeted toward Detroit small business needs, community engagement will take a center role in the course like never before.
