By Karen Dybis Taxes, educational equity, unemployment: When it comes to research, Raj Chetty takes on topics other economists might avoid. Chetty’s work as one of the nation’s top economists could be boiled down to one question: How can we …

By James Martinez In early 2020, Dr. Nicholas Christakis knew the COVID-19 virus deserved serious attention. The Yale professor had been collaborating with Chinese scientists for several years using cell phone data to study human interactions. Tracking data from the …

With national politics as polarized as ever, the health of democracy is drawing increased attention as the Mackinac Policy Conference again brings national thought-leaders to Michigan’s Center Stage. This year includes former United States National Security Advisor Robert C. O’Brien, …

By Karen Dybis As Detroit’s mayor, Mike Duggan keeps his core values front and center: He wants Detroiters to have access to jobs, affordable housing, health care and, over the last 18 months, a sense that a pandemic-besieged city can come …

By James Martinez Senator Carl Levin’s brand of public service focused on integrity, candor and bipartisanship, and he placed a premium on Congress’ responsibility to provide public and private sector oversight that put people first. “I do believe that a politician …

By Paul Eisenstein It began almost imperceptibly, as workers along the line began falling ill. Within weeks, it soon was apparent, COVID had come to America and, like much of the country, the auto industry needed to respond with drastic …

With former Senator Carl Levin as the honorary chairperson, the 2018 Detroit Policy Conference focused on how to create a culture of civility. In a 32-minute conversation with WDIV-TV anchor Devin Scillian, Levin shared his observations on national politics and how …

By James Martinez For The Skillman Foundation’s new president and chief executive officer, Angelique Power, achieving equity in Detroit starts with our youth. “Watch the young people,” said Power. “Children and youth are always the metric on equity because they …

By Trevor W. Coleman  It’s not easy to rise from the ranks of employee to the chief executive officer of a Fortune 500 company. And it’s especially difficult if you are a woman, and triple the challenge if you are …

By Paul Vachon Former congressman Harold Ford Jr. is optimistic about change ahead. In his current role as CEO of Empowerment & Inclusion Capital Corp., and Vice Chairman of PNC Bank, he sees a not-to-distant future when most, if not …