Featured Stories

IdeaLab 2013 recapped

Matthew Lewis Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Detroit social innovators and entrepreneurs were day tripping in Ann Arbor last Friday, preaching what they practice to students at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. Matthew Lewis reports from the first row.

Education and training, Entrepreneurs, Move to Detroit, Small Business, Social innovation, Transformational change

Global Detroit: Immigration reform now

Ajooni Sethi Tuesday, January 29, 2013

The year ahead is shaping up as crucially important for immigration in the U.S., and Southeast Michigan sits in a unique position to benefit from such reforms, says Global Detroit's Ajooni Sethi.

Building Communities, Choosing Michigan, Civil liberties, Detroit, Immigration, Transformational change

We declare it: 2013 in Detroit year of civic engagement

Bradford Frost Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Declare Detroit's Brad Frost gets inspired by the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. and calls for a year of action in the city. It begins with circling dates for 2013 elections. We can definitely get on with that idea.

Detroit, Urban Leadership

Tasty trends: Digging into what's next in Detroit food and drink

Noelle Lothamer Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Some awesome eating and drinking destinations opened in 2012 with many more lined up for the months ahead. Noelle Lothamer plans to keep us in the loop as new kitchens and bars start serving. Bon appetit, everyone.

Detroit, Dining, Food and Drink

Midtown, The Villages, Corktown

Detroit Revitalization Fellow Allyson McLean

Jay Walljasper Tuesday, January 22, 2013

It took leaving Detroit to really get to know the city, says Allyson McLean, who grew up in Troy and studied abroad before landing jobs in Pittsburgh and Washington D.C. Jay Walljasper tells her coming home story.

Urban Leadership, Wayne State University

Urban Exchange: Trading Ideas with Toronto

Claire Nelson Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Model D's Claire Nelson and Hopscotch Detroit social innovator Ajooni Sethi go north to share the power of play as a tool for civic engagement with our Canadian comrades at Yonge St. Sounds like some serious fun was had in the Queen City.

Building Communities, Detroit, Sustainability

UIX TV: Andy Didorosi and Detroit Bus Company

DETROIT LIVES! Tuesday, January 22, 2013

He's the social entrepreneur behind the Detroit Bus Company, a tech-savvy, biofuel-powered neighborhood transit revolution. Andy Didorosi tells us how he sees big changes happening in Detroit in this video by DETROIT LIVES!

Detroit, Social innovation, Transformational change, Transit, Video

Downtown lifestyle rising at Broderick Tower

Dennis Archambault Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Jay Hack walks everywhere he needs to go downtown, for food and drink, for religious services, for sporting events - though his business is in the suburbs, where most of his friends remain. Dennis Archambault reports from the tower.

Building Communities, Detroit, Move to Detroit, Woodward Avenue Lifestyle

Downtown Detroit

Framing Detroit Future City: Let's get started

Jon Zemke Tuesday, January 15, 2013

We asked innovation & jobs editor Jon Zemke to come up with some key initial takeaways from last week's Detroit Future City framework launch. There will be more in the months ahead as the project moves from idea to execution phase.

Detroit, Transformational change

UIX people and projects: Liz Blondy and Canine to Five

Tunde Wey Tuesday, January 15, 2013

She is the owner of Canine to Five, a business on Cass Avenue offering day care, grooming and cage-free attended overnight boarding, and a co-founder of catalytic indie merchant group Open City. Take a bow, Liz Blondy.

Detroit, Entrepreneurs, Shop Local, Small Business, Social innovation, Social Networking

Midtown

Model D TV: LGBT leader of color Alfredo Smith

Tony Eggert & Andrea Poteet Tuesday, January 08, 2013

The boy who wanted to be a backup dancer for Janet Jackson ended up a man who advocates on behalf of transgender rights and HIV and substance abuse prevention. Video producer Tony Eggert shines a light on Alfredo Smith.

Detroit, LGBT

Thank you, come again

Matthew Lewis Tuesday, January 08, 2013

As retail competition grows in Detroit, customer service is critical, say the folks at Open City, a group formed to share ideas about attaining business success. Matthew Lewis reports from our December speaker series event.

Detroit, Entrepreneurs, Shop Local, Small Business

From Eastern Europe to Eastern Market

Jay Walljasper Tuesday, January 08, 2013

A background in finance and urban planning prepared Detroit Revitalization Fellow Jela Ellefson perfectly for her role as Grants and Special Projects Coordinator for the Eastern Market Corp. Jay Walljasper makes the introduction.

Move to Detroit, Urban Leadership, Wayne State University

Eastern Market

How we spent our winter vacation

Walter Wasacz Tuesday, January 08, 2013

Some of us traveled, some of us got cozy with a book or two, others ventured downtown to see the glittering, metal 'D" drop on New Year's Eve. Now we're all ready to rock Detroit anew for 2013, says Walter Wasacz.

Arts, Food and Drink, Lifestyle, Nightlife

Hamtramck, Downtown Detroit, Midtown, The Villages

UIX TV: Peggy Brennan of Green Garage

DETROIT LIVES! Tuesday, January 08, 2013

Thanks to Peggy (and husband Tom) Brennan, Midtown's Green Garage has become a community hub for people dedicated to a more sustainable way of living. DETROIT LIVES! gets up close and personal in this video profile.

Detroit, Entrepreneurs, Small Business, Social innovation

Midtown