Wayne State University's Detroit Orientation Institute will host Detroit 101, a half-day tour and conversation, on April 15 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The information-packed morning will begin with a bus tour through Detroit neighborhoods and destinations, including Midtown, Downtown, the riverfront, West Village, the Heidelberg Project, Eastern Market, the Avenue of Fashion and Palmer Park. Participants will engage in conversation with community leaders along the route, including Jim Sutherland (Eastern Market Corp.), Karen Slaughter-DuPerry (Detroit RiverFront Conservancy), and Rufus Bartell (Simply Casual Clothing Store).
The interactive event will conclude with lunch and a group dialogue -- "Your Detroit? My Detroit? OUR Detroit!" -- led by Graig Donnelly, director of the Detroit Revitalization Fellows. Joining the discussion will be Maggie DeSantis (Eastside Community Network), Laura Hughes (Strategic Staffing Solutions) and Jerome Vaughn (WDET).
"The Detroit Orientation Institute aims to build a deeper understanding of Detroit while at the same time challenging assumptions," observed Ned Staebler, vice-president for economic development at Wayne State, whose office runs the Institute. "The Institute draws on Wayne State's ability to gather leaders who impact culture, politics, development and progress here, and provides an opportunity to engage with these change makers while exploring contemporary issues and challenges."
Event: Detroit Orientation Institute: Detroit 101
Date: Wednesday April 15
Time: 8 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Location: Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit 48202
Cost: $100 by March 24, $120 thereafter
RSVP: http://bit.ly/1MaxB1k
The Detroit Orientation Institute engages business, community, media, nonprofit, political, civic and student leaders in immersive events that illuminate Detroit and foster connections. Participants visit the city's neighborhoods and key institutions, interacting with change-makers as they dig deep into the region's history and current landscape. Groups are small and participatory, with long-time leaders and newcomers together exploring contemporary issues and opportunities. For more information, visit doi.wayne.edu.
Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 28,000 students.