My First Month With Challenge Detroit

By: Alyssa Williams

Earlier this year I began my journey as a Challenge Detroit Fellow. 

For those unfamiliar with the program, Challenge Detroit is a year-long long fellowship that facilitates professional development, networking, and civic engagement opportunities for community-minded leaders. Participants in the program are matched with a local business or community organization as “host companies” where they work with staff to address some of Detroit’s greatest challenges and opportunities. Now in its eighth year, Challenge Detroit attracts participants from around the Metro Detroit area and across the country. 

As a native Detroiter, I joined the program because I wanted to learn more about my hometown and to be a part of its revitalization after graduating from a master’s program at Eastern Michigan University. During my time at school, I noticed how much the city was changing and Challenge Detroit seemed like a great way to get reacquainted and gain new experiences.

Based on my passion for community-driven work, I was placed with Strategic Community Parters earlier this year and had an opportunity to start working with the team even before the Challenge Detroit Fellowship officially started.

In September, the fellowship kicked off with a week-long orientation that took our fellowship cohort all across Metro Detroit.

But the momentum did not stop there. Since orientation, our cohort has engaged in a variety of community exploration activities like going to a Detroit Tigers game at Comerica Park, attending some of the Detroit Homecoming festivities and even volunteering with Focus Hope! 

Some of my favorite moments from the fellowship so far have been:

High Ropes Course

Clarkston, MI

Arts & Scraps

Detroit, MI

Motown Museum

Detroit, MI

Black History Tour

Detroit, MI

In addition to exploring new and old places in Detroit – the fellowship has also given me the chance to meet change makers in the city such as Dr. Geneva Williams of Live 6 Alliance and Charity Dean, the director of the civil rights department at the City of Detroit.

It’s been a great experience so far, and I’m looking forward to what is still to come.

1 month down, another 10 to go!