Leadership : Features

Urban Innovation Exchange director Claire Nelson takes a look back at Detroit innovators in the national media and highlights 10 of our favorite moments. Of course, as she notes: "…this list barely scratches the surface. But that's exactly our point."

Urban revitalization is not built on stadiums and skyscrapers alone. Vibrant cities begin with passionate people working on the ground, doing the creative heavy lifting to make their communities better. Leading up to Urban Innovation Exchange Sept. 24-26 in Detroit, we take a look at 13 small projects with big potential.

Kyle Smitley is the founder of Detroit Achievement Academy, a new charter school opening with grades K & 1 and expanding by a grade level each year. Some might call her a radical education reformer, but she wouldn't. 

Michael Forsyth, Business Development Manager of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, heads up the DEGC's recently-launched REVOLVE program. REVOLVE works with growing neighborhoods, aspiring entrepreneurs, and building owners in need of tenants to address Detroit's threefold issue of neighborhood needs, excessive storefront vacancies, and lack of retail density head-on via pop-up. Here he shares with UIX Detroit the short- and long-term visions for REVOLVE.

Working out of the Furniture Factory in the Cass Corridor, Allied Media Projects is all about innovation, interaction and collaboration. Matthew Piper takes us behind the scenes.

As demands on the world’s non-renewable and limited resources increase, how can Detroit be a lead innovator in the practice of doing more with less? Rachel Klegon, Executive Director of Green Living Science, shares her thinking on how we can all contribute to being a more efficient and effective community. Read here, then join the conversation.

Detroit has very active foundations and corporations that invest millions of dollars in our community. Usually these funds are directed toward larger, established civic institutions and non-profit organizations with a demonstrated record of impact and success. But what if you have a new, untested idea to address a neighborhood need? How can we create more funding opportunities for smaller-scale but potentially transformative community projects?