Five Local Change-Makers Deliver Dynamic Power Perspectives to Inspire the City
January 30, 2020Power Perspectives were sponsored by Grand Valley State University.
Unlocking Detroit’s Entrepreneurial Potential: Monica Wheat, Executive Director, Venture Catalysts; Managing Director, Backstage Capital
Entrepreneurship is alive and well in Detroit, and Wheat wants to help the city rise as the capital for inclusivity. With proper funding and strategic partnerships in the Venture Capital space, Detroit has the potential to lead with a robust ecosystem of business leaders.
Cannabis Advantages for Wellness and Business: Anqunette Sarfoh, Board Member, Michigan Cannabis Industry Association
Detroit’s cannabis business is booming but for consumers and companies to thrive, more communities and businesses must opt-in with their support. Sarfoh is using her voice to champion the safe and appropriate use of cannabis, declaring if business is about opportunity and meeting demand, this is the decade to build a thriving cannabis industry, and we cannot be afraid to try.
Building Detroit’s 24-Hour Economy: Adrian Tonon, 24-Hour Economy Ambassador, City of Detroit
To build a thriving and sustainable 24-hour economy in Detroit, Tonon stresses that we need to maintain Detroit’s allure as a destination for arts and music, while also building a safer community where people can live, work, and play. But first and foremost, we need to take care of the 750 loyal Detroiters who never left – instead of displacing them – and recognize their vital role in moving the city forward.
Restoring Opportunity for Returning Citizens: Mario Bueno, McNair Scholar and Graduate Assistant, University of Michigan; Co-founder, LUCK Inc.
High-crime rates are a liability on Detroit’s balance sheet. To have a self-sustaining economic model, we must alter the path of at-risk populations away from crime and restore their opportunities in society. As a returning citizen, Bueno is committed to helping others and changing the narrative of “Detroit vs. Everybody” to “Detroit Restores Everybody”.
Elevating the City Through Theatre: Sam White, Founding Artistic and Executive Director, Shakespeare in Detroit
Every year, 30 percent of Detroiters attend Canada’s Stratford theatre festival and millions of dollars are raised by Michiganders to support the festival – imagine the impact if those dollars stayed in our communities. White is on a mission to help Detroiters understand the power of theatre and why Michigan needs a large-scale professional theatre. White also educates students on the career options in theatre; from the science of lighting to mathematics of set building, there is something for everyone.