Featured Stories

How a local indie improv scene is spreading across the city

Aaron Mondry Friday, June 26, 2015

Six months ago, it would have been nearly impossible to watch improv comedy in the city of Detroit. Now, the problem for fans of improv is choosing which shows to attend.

Building Communities, Detroit, Lifestyle, Nightlife , Performing Arts

Examining the borders that define metro Detroit

Nina Ignaczak Tuesday, June 23, 2015

As the city of Detroit recovers from bankruptcy, county power dynamics shift, and regional issues like water, sewer, transit, education and energy come to the fore, the borders that circumscribe metropolitan Detroit will impact an array of important issues affecting us all.

Building Communities, Detroit, Public Policy, Sense of Place

Detroiters buying local at Great Lakes Coffee

So you want to be a localist? Three ways to up your game

Jessica Meyer Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Do you believe in the power of small business to restore community? If so, you might be a localist. Here are three simple suggestions for how to contribute to the localist movement in a meaningful, holistic way.

Building Communities, Detroit, Entrepreneurs, Shop Local, Small Business

Four cities come together in Detroit to learn lessons to take home

Christopher Gergen & Denise Byrne Tuesday, June 23, 2015

From June 24-26, over 200 business and community leaders from four cities are gathering in Detroit to discuss how to increase entrepreneurial activity and connectivity in distressed neighborhoods so that the local innovation economy does not leave anyone behind.

Building Communities, Detroit, Entrepreneurs, Small Business, Social Networking, Urban Leadership

7 wonders of Detroit Public Library's Main Branch

Amy Kuras Tuesday, June 23, 2015

In honor of the Detroit Public Library's 150th anniversary, explore the wonders of Main Library, many of which are hidden in plain sight.

Architecture, Arts, Detroit, Museums, Tours, Woodward Avenue

Midtown

Larry Bell Owner of Bell's Brewery and Eccentric Cafe.

Michigan-born businesses don't have to wander far from home to find more success

Brian Martucci Monday, June 22, 2015

When it comes to expansion and finding continued success, multiple popular Michigan-born businesses decided to keep their operations close to home by expanding right here in the state.

Development, Entrepreneurs, Food and Drink, Job Creation

Corktown, Midtown

Matrix Theatre Company�s audition-only Teen Company

Matrix Theatre students create stage art around Detroit experiences

Chloe Seymour Tuesday, June 16, 2015

While many children indulge in video games and television when they return home from school, Matrix Theatre students are a different breed. These dedicated students spend their after-school hours – and yes, even their precious weekends – transforming abstract ideas into scripts, running lines, and watching their concepts come alive on stage.

Arts, Detroit, Education and training, Partners in the Arts, Performing Arts

Southwest Detroit

Yosemite city? The National Parks Service showcases its urban agenda in Detroit

Dennis Archambault Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Ask someone in Detroit where they might find the National Park Service (NPS) in Michigan and they are likely to think of Sleeping Bear Dunes or Isle Royale -- not an urban park like Detroit's Belle Isle. Yet the NPS has formed local partnerships to pursue an "urban agenda."

Building Communities, Detroit, Lifestyle, Placemaking, Sense of Place

Ever-evolving Allied Media Conference, happening this week in Detroit, adds nighttime programming

Nicole Rupersburg Tuesday, June 16, 2015

The Allied Media Conference appeals specifically to the diverse community of people who create media in order to transform lives and incite change – those who are often the very people who get left out of conventional conferences for lack of visibility and access. It takes place June 18-21 in Detroit.

Building Communities, Detroit, Social innovation, Social Networking

Midtown

Opinion: Want to make a big impact on Michigan's economy? Think small

Rachel Lutz Friday, June 12, 2015

Typically, the Mackinac Policy Conference is about big things -- big ideas, big names, and big companies. This year, Rachel Lutz and some Detroit small business colleagues thought it would be fun to bring some small ideas, small names, and small companies to the high-profile gathering.

Building Communities, Detroit, Entrepreneurs, Job Creation, Shop Local, Small Business, Urban Leadership

Modest market hopes to serve Poletown with fresh produce and dry goods

Serena Maria Daniels Tuesday, June 09, 2015

For some residents of the near east side neighborhood of Poletown, the image of revitalization looks different than it does in other parts of the city. Instead of discussing how to redevelop land, they are figuring out how to allow it to return to its original prairie state, where its occupants and nature coexist. That's what drew Vanessa Cronin to 5200 Chene St., a property she is transforming into Chene Street Grocers, a market that will sell local produce and dry goods.

Detroit, Development, Entrepreneurs, Food and Drink, Sense of Place, Small Business

Near East Side

Freewheeling in Windsor: A short journey to the deep south of Canada

Aaron Mondry & Matthew Lewis Tuesday, June 09, 2015

Windsor, Ontario is closer to downtown Detroit than its suburbs, yet so few of us take the time to explore this charming city to our south. Last month, we decided to go there with open minds and virtually no plans to see what we've been missing.

Detroit, Food and Drink, Lifestyle, Sense of Place, Tours

Is Detroit on its way to becoming a gay-friendly city?

Matthew Piper Tuesday, June 09, 2015

As our hardscrabble metropolis continues its 21st century evolution, is it finally learning to put its big, strong arms around the diverse and beleaguered LGBT community that calls it home? Signs point to yes.

Building Communities, Detroit, LGBT, Move to Detroit, Public Policy, Sense of Place, Transformational change

Students at Cooke Elementary watch the DSO via webcast

DSO webcasts bring classical music to Detroit classrooms

Chloe Seymour Tuesday, June 09, 2015

An innovative program of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra provides students with an opportunity to "attend" the orchestra without leaving their desks.

Arts, Detroit, Education and training, Music, Partners in the Arts, Performing Arts

Changing lives from the very start: Report identifies best measures to help at-risk kids

Nina Ignaczak Tuesday, June 02, 2015

More than half of Michigan's kids from birth to age 3 are at risk of showing up to kindergarten unprepared to learn. A new report outlines measures with the most evidence of success and highest return on investment to help them.