TO BE BLACK IN DETROIT IS TO BE ME.

"The entire narrative of this country argues against the truth of who you are." - Ta-Nehisi Coates

It's time we celebrate our collective strength and write our next chapter. It's time to own our story and narrate the future! How we view ourselves and our brothers and sisters is key to how we use our many assets, gifts, and talents to build and sustain community strength and well-being. Together, we will remind each other of the truth of who we are and determine what we can become. The "Own Your Story" initiative is a community-designed campaign that will drive social change in our local neighborhoods. 

Here in Detroit, our people will be able to see, experience, and constantly be reminded of our beauty and ingenuity as we direct the course of our future. We can't create the vision of our communities in Detroit without your help! What we're asking of you: is that you would have a willingness to dig deep and to share the truth of your past experiences, present state, and future hopes with us. We want to cultivate a sense of self-determination, inspire healthy perspectives around self-perception and unity, and build a community we can all be proud of. With your help, we will not just tell our story. We will OWN our story as we walk into brighter days to come!

"What is the world for you if you can't make it up the way you want it." - Toni Morrison