Tracking history through stories
Long-time residents of Woodbridge tell stories of their diverse Detroit neighborhood through an oral history project meant to capture the essence of life in the area in decades past.
Melinda Clynes's Latest Articles
Cluck. Quack. Buzz. The making of Detroit’s new Animal Keeping Ordinance
It’s not easy getting an ordinance passed through Detroit City Council. In this story, we’ll walk you through an ordinance that was 10+ years in the making – how it passed and what it means to Detroit neighborhoods.
The ‘tough slog’ of turning long-vacant apartment buildings into affordable, green housing
Patience and perseverance are crucial when purchasing long-neglected Detroit real estate. Jeff Jones at HOPE Village Revitalization has both – and a dream to renovate two apartment buildings to be highly energy efficient, contributing to long-term affordability for tenants.
Detroit 21 celebrates five years of neighborhood revitalization at gala
Nonprofit leaders at the heart of Detroit’s community development efforts rarely slow down to rest on their laurels. The exception was a recent gathering to celebrate their achievements.
E. Warren Farmers Market provides a pathway to growth for small businesses
A lively farmers market in the E. Warren commercial corridor is intentionally a launch pad for small, neighborhood businesses hoping to grow
Northeast Detroit teens essential to summer day camp success
A positive work environment brings out the best in summer youth employees who help deliver a fun day camp experience to more than 100 children on Detroit’s northeast side.
Resilient Neighborhoods: Can putting health at the forefront help bring a neighborhood back?
Health consciousness can be contagious, especially with a little nudge from friends and neighbors – and nearby places to go for healthy food, exercise and healthcare services. Read about how the Hope Village neighborhood in Detroit is embracing and uplifting health and wellness for community members.
Resilient Neighborhoods: ‘It’s a privilege to be able to live here.’
Meeting the challenges and complexity of affordable housing one unit at a time takes patience, financial support and commitment from community development organizations. Read about one young family’s opportunity to enter Detroit’s housing market in a neighborhood they love.
Resilient Neighborhoods: Learnings from Montgomery, Alabama, the mecca of the Civil Rights Movement
Inspired by the Freedom Riders, Antoine Jackson takes learnings from a Montgomery, Alabama, retreat and reflects on how Detroit can use lessons from the Civil Rights Movement to engage the faith-based community and spark interest among the city’s young people.
A smarter food security system
Kirk Mayes is the outgoing CEO of Forgotten Harvest. We talked with him about changes the organization has experienced and new models for combatting food security.
