Hope - Working on the Future
The news of Comerica moving its headquarters to Dallas was tough to swallow. Almost every conversation I had within work or outside of it, somehow, touched on that announcement. The phone calls from media began to come it requesting my comment. Simply, it shook the ethos of the region and the state.
In one of the articles, a local resident asks out loud ---"what is happening with Michigan." This news topping the pile of other bad news can have a cumulative effect upon us all. So where is the hope? What is the other story to be told? Is there another story to be told? I believe the answer is yes.
This blog is about a "Window on Community." A chance to look through the window at work that is taking place in community that may not be always visible. As I drove home last night, still reflecting on the news, my thoughts turned to the work of the day. My day was full of hope. Full of leaders working on the making today and the future better. For example, these are a few of the meetings I had:
Dr. David Fike, President of Marygrove College: Dr. Fike just took on this role last July and is building on the strong tradition of Marygrove. He wanted to discuss Urban Leadership and how the school can play a catalytic role in linking students --- emerging leaders--- to the new and complex work of the region. He shared how Marygrove is working to play a role on redevelopment. As we were wrapping up, he said that he had never been 'more connected' to his work than he is today. He wakes up eager and excited to tackle the mission. He is optimistic. He is actively seeking out partners to join him to make the schools work of Urban Leadership the best in the country.
Philip Fisher and Doug Stewart of the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation: This newly formed foundation, to be one of the largest family foundations in the state of Michigan, is working on how it will 'invest for impact' in the days ahead. The Fisher family has been an enormous champion of the region----and now looks to carry on that legacy through the Foundation. Two years after Max M. Fisher's death, Philip and Doug are working to better understand the work of the community and the areas of the greatest leverage. I was struck by the active learning they are doing as they shape the future of the foundation's work. We took a tour of United Way's 211 Center, discussed potential areas of partnership and shared with each other our respective aspirations for the region. It is clear to me that the foundation will become a very important asset and leader for the region's future.
Doug Rothwell, Shirley Stancato, Maud Lyon, Larry Alexander and Dick Blouse: I gathered with these respective CEO's of Detroit Renaissance, New Detroit, Cultural Alliance, Detroit Convention Bureau and the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce on Fort St. at 5 pm to work into the evening on the newly formed regional alliance --- One D: Transforming Regional Detroit. The content of the work was moving residents aspirations into action. The core issues have been focused around Mass Transit, Educational Preparedness, Economic Prosperity, Race Relations and Quality of Life----as identified by over 10,000 residents. The group is working hard and well together. The group is focused on advancing the issues residents care most about. There is a fortitude to move from process to results. Move from silos to integrated work. Move from either/or to an "and" strategy. Move from go it alone to including a wider/broader net. However imperfect, the leadership of One D is working on hope. Working on making the region better, stronger and viable.
I believe we need to actively help each other tell a different story of the region. We have to ask ourselves what role am I playing in putting voice to a "new story." Am I a spectator or a participant. Am I a reader or a writer. We ---- all of us------must lift up the work that is making our lives and the region better. No story is too small.
If we each passed on the 'story of hope', we can make visible what often goes unnoticed. If you have a story to share, I would like to know it. I would like to read it. I would like to understand it. I would like to connect to it. Connect this or your own story to one other.
Thanks for reading. Pass it on.
In one of the articles, a local resident asks out loud ---"what is happening with Michigan." This news topping the pile of other bad news can have a cumulative effect upon us all. So where is the hope? What is the other story to be told? Is there another story to be told? I believe the answer is yes.
This blog is about a "Window on Community." A chance to look through the window at work that is taking place in community that may not be always visible. As I drove home last night, still reflecting on the news, my thoughts turned to the work of the day. My day was full of hope. Full of leaders working on the making today and the future better. For example, these are a few of the meetings I had:
Dr. David Fike, President of Marygrove College: Dr. Fike just took on this role last July and is building on the strong tradition of Marygrove. He wanted to discuss Urban Leadership and how the school can play a catalytic role in linking students --- emerging leaders--- to the new and complex work of the region. He shared how Marygrove is working to play a role on redevelopment. As we were wrapping up, he said that he had never been 'more connected' to his work than he is today. He wakes up eager and excited to tackle the mission. He is optimistic. He is actively seeking out partners to join him to make the schools work of Urban Leadership the best in the country.
Philip Fisher and Doug Stewart of the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation: This newly formed foundation, to be one of the largest family foundations in the state of Michigan, is working on how it will 'invest for impact' in the days ahead. The Fisher family has been an enormous champion of the region----and now looks to carry on that legacy through the Foundation. Two years after Max M. Fisher's death, Philip and Doug are working to better understand the work of the community and the areas of the greatest leverage. I was struck by the active learning they are doing as they shape the future of the foundation's work. We took a tour of United Way's 211 Center, discussed potential areas of partnership and shared with each other our respective aspirations for the region. It is clear to me that the foundation will become a very important asset and leader for the region's future.
Doug Rothwell, Shirley Stancato, Maud Lyon, Larry Alexander and Dick Blouse: I gathered with these respective CEO's of Detroit Renaissance, New Detroit, Cultural Alliance, Detroit Convention Bureau and the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce on Fort St. at 5 pm to work into the evening on the newly formed regional alliance --- One D: Transforming Regional Detroit. The content of the work was moving residents aspirations into action. The core issues have been focused around Mass Transit, Educational Preparedness, Economic Prosperity, Race Relations and Quality of Life----as identified by over 10,000 residents. The group is working hard and well together. The group is focused on advancing the issues residents care most about. There is a fortitude to move from process to results. Move from silos to integrated work. Move from either/or to an "and" strategy. Move from go it alone to including a wider/broader net. However imperfect, the leadership of One D is working on hope. Working on making the region better, stronger and viable.
I believe we need to actively help each other tell a different story of the region. We have to ask ourselves what role am I playing in putting voice to a "new story." Am I a spectator or a participant. Am I a reader or a writer. We ---- all of us------must lift up the work that is making our lives and the region better. No story is too small.
If we each passed on the 'story of hope', we can make visible what often goes unnoticed. If you have a story to share, I would like to know it. I would like to read it. I would like to understand it. I would like to connect to it. Connect this or your own story to one other.
Thanks for reading. Pass it on.
Labels: Window on Community
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