An Outside/In Detroiter on Himself and The Region’s Future

We all know the world is rapidly changing: for that story click here and here. You can even search for it here to review any of the 207,000,000 web pages available on the subject.

What does this all mean for Detroit? What does it mean for me?

My Detroit story is new narrative, one of momentum rising and abundant opportunity. Here I get experience beyond my best expectations. Diversity is the region’s strength. I believe racial understanding and reconciliation is possible. For an outside/in Detroiter, I think in these terms, everyday, before thinking about what hasn’t or won’t work.

I take an experience first approach to life. All my resources and choices are centered on trying to answer affirmatively one thing: does it, whatever it is, maximize my experience in the world?

With that in mind, I choose Detroit.

I choose this place, my work at United Way, even my time here on this blog because I deeply believe transformative progress is possible.

But what about me—How am I affected by an evolving community problem solving paradigm? What’s my role in the infrastructure of good I’ve described?

I reflect on that a lot. Unlike other enterprises or business ventures, nonprofit work like mine rests on the central premise—indeed tension—that I show up everyday and say: “I sure hope we put ourselves out of business today.” If getting rewarded for community based work through intangible means is critical, this is supposed to be our ultimate payoff.

But enough about me.

We need space to safely evaluate the structures and rules we have in place; to authentically gauge if they remain the best ones for us in our current context.

There are times when, against all odds, we can take ownership and truly demonstrate progress by working together to effectuate change. Our opportunity ... United Way's ... Southeast Michigan's ... ONE D's .... Yours ... Mine ... is here, now, begging us to seize the moment.

Change is in the air.

As my prior posts indicate, I try to see the world in microcosmic analogies. Take the largest issue and try to conceive of it in real everyday and personal terms. Consider Detroit and the region. Consider race. Consider community problem solving techniques. How are these similar to your own personal issues? Trying to make a change in your life? Trying to understand the world better? I am, and I process the big questions by putting them into personal terms.

Next time you hear the same old complaint about this place and its problems, try this:

Reframe.

Problem Solve.

Deliver.

Brad Frost,
Brand Strategist, United Way for Southeastern Michigan
This post is part of an on-going series from MetroMode.