Even before newly inaugurated President Barack Obama sounded his call for a new era of "personal responsibility," and urged all Americans to become involved in efforts to improve their communities, thousands of Detroiters and organizations were already embarked on a mission of transformation. Now, hopefully, more people who have been sitting on the sidelines will join hands with their neighbors in places of worship, community groups, block clubs and social organizations and dedicate themselves to "Be Part of The Change."
This is not about politics--it's about people, creating a better America--and for those of us who live here, creating a better Detroit. That's why I am so hopeful about Detroit's future in 2009, despite the many daunting challenges we face.
I'm hopeful because of people like Agnes Reed, who didn't know anything about ARISE Detroit! until she heard one of our promotional spots playing on recently on a local radio station. "I liked what I heard because it was about making our neighborhoods better," said Reed, who is president of the Lenox Block Club on the far east side of Detroit in the Jefferson Conner area. Reed phoned the offices of ARISE Detroit! and I was lucky enough to answer the telephone. She is a refreshing reminder that that despite a bad economy, crime, high unemployment and schools that need a makeover, there are thousands of Detroiters like Reed who are not just committed to staying the course--they want to chart a new and better course for the city they love. Reed is active in a wide number of community efforts and wants to see a cleaner, safer community. She's would welcome volunteers to help clean up neighborhood blight and eyesores. "We all need to be doing something," she said. Amen! Reed promises to spread the word about ARISE Detroit! And we are going to spread the word about the Lenox Block Club and her!
I'm hopeful because I know there are many people like Reed, often unsung and behind the headlines, who are part of a growing "Transformation Community" in Detroit, hundreds of organizations and thousands of individuals working in ways large and small to create a better Detroit.
I'm hopeful because of the passion of people like Tiffany Tilley of the MANNIE Project; Fred Hart of Brothers Against Guns; Weusi Olusola of Pioneers For Peace and Linda White of the Arc of Nonviolence all of whom have turned personal tragedies into organized efforts to to reduce crime and violence in Detroit.
I'm hopeful because of commitment of Amy Good, who 20 years ago grew tired of seeing teenage girls sell their bodies on the streets of southwest Detroit and pulled some friends together to form Alternative For Girls to offer housing and educational opportunities.
I'm hopeful because of the dedication of Jeron Campbell, a young Ford Motor Company engineer, who started the Aces program, to help Detroit students boost their college entrance scores, and Mark Mayberry, a former educator, who started Exam Experts for the same reason.
I'm hopeful because even with all the problems with Detroit public schools, there are many people like Sharlonda Buckman and Minnie Davis of the Detroit Parent Network, Charlie Anderson and Pandora Brown of Communities in Schools of Detroit and Penny Bailer of CityYear Detroit who refuse give up on our children and continue to use their resources and volunteers to point our youngsters toward a brighter future.
I'm hopeful because of Terrance Collier of The Rapping Mentor and the Good Boys, who with his sons gives positive message rap performances.
I'm hopeful because of David Sawicki and his wife Lisa Lapides of Youth Under Construction and Rae Glover and Susan Storey, a Cody High School teacher of the Better Detroit Youth Movement, who use entertainment, music and dance to promote self esteem and educational achievement with our young people.
I'm hopeful because of Rick Sperling, who founded the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit to use the performing arts to teach young people not just to sing and dance, but also to become better people.
I'm hopeful because of Nat Pernick, a suburbanite who has launched the Detroit College of Promise with Cody High as the first school to guarantee college scholarships for city public school graduates, and Leslie Andrews -a Detroiter -- who is making higher education available for city youngsters through the United Negro College Fund.
I'm hopeful because of the unflagging efforts to revive neighborhoods on the east side of Detroit of Toni McIlwain of the Ravendale Community, Mike Fisher of the Detroit Community Initiative and Shirley Burch of Community United for Progress.
I'm hopeful because their efforts are matched on the west side of town by Olivia Shakoor of the Crary St. Mary's Community Council, John George of the Motor City Blight Busters, Mary Banks of the Brightmoor Alliance and Kim Tandy of the University Commons Organization..
I'm hopeful because of Carol Shoch, a former music teacher, who started the Detroit Children's Choir to bring the joy of choral singing to Detroit students.
I'm hopeful because of Terry Blackhawk and Nandi Comer of the InsideOut Literary Arts Project, which has brought the love of poetry to city schools.
I'm hopeful because of Paul Miles, a talented local blues musician who has used his skills to raise money for ARISE Detroit! and other local non-profits and produced a song called Motown Still Our Town to boost the spirits of Detroiters.
I'm hopeful for these and countless other reasons.
I'm hopeful because I believe in Detroit and I believe
in you!
Luther Keith
Executive Director
lkeith@arisedetroit.org
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