The Greening of Detroit

We’re celebrating two highly effective and deserving leaders at grant partner organizations who have been awarded 2025 Miller Fellowships by the McGregor Fund:? DeLashea Strawder, executive and artistic director at Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, and Lionel Bradford, president and executive director of The Greening of Detroit. This award will make it possible for them and two other 2025 Fellows to take sabbaticals to focus on self-directed rest, learning, and renewal. The work of our region’s nonprofit leaders brings tremendous benefits to our communities. Too often, their impact on youth, elders, and neighborhoods comes at the expense of burnout and their own personal wellness. Some of the contributors to this dynamic include the relentless daily pressures of managing finances, fundraising, and leanly staffed teams alongside the demands of navigating systemic issues and leading through uncertain times. Appreciation to our colleagues at McGregor Fund for recognizing that a career of service to community as a nonprofit leader is something to be celebrated and valued–with an opportunity to rest and reset! #NonProfitLeadership #Leadership

Had an amazing time in Detroit celebrating the 35th anniversary of The Greening of Detroit! Great food from Two Unique Caterers & Event Planners and even better company catching up with old friends. Huge thanks to Robert Harper for the invite and for being such a great friend and colleague in the hospitality industry. Cheers to many more years of making a difference!

So much appreciation for The Greening of Detroit! Their work has done so much to enhance the quality of life, expand job training opportunities and engage youth and other Detroit residents in learning about and caring for the environment.

Bill and I helped the The Greening of Detroit celebrate 35 years of service last night at the Michigan Central Station. I’m always amazed by the 166,000 trees the Greening has planted (and counting!) with the help of 25,000 volunteers, but last night I learned something even more incredible: The Greening has trained 2,000 people in green jobs, many of whom are returning citizens, with an impressive 87% job placement rate. WOW! But there’s more work to do. Would you like to get involved? Message me or learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eGxpnqCD Let’s make a difference together!

In an interview with SBN Detroit, Lionel Bradford, president of The Greening of Detroit, discussed the organization’s mission to support healthy urban communities through tree planting, green infrastructure projects, and workforce development. “We’ve planted 147,000 trees since our founding in 1989,” Bradford said. “But our work goes well beyond planting. We also train Detroiters, many of whom face employment barriers, through our workforce development program.” Bradford highlighted the Walter Meyers Nursery, which spans 72 acres in Rouge Park and has become both a training ground and a supply source for new trees in Detroit. The Greening of Detroit has already planted 4,000 trees there and aims to produce 5,000 trees annually to sell to the City of Detroit, nearby municipalities, and community members. Beyond tree planting, Bradford emphasized the organization’s efforts in stormwater management and green infrastructure, including installing bioretention ponds and helping residents and businesses replace impervious surfaces. Read more: https://bit.ly/40PkkZq #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #detroitwindsor #detroit #repaircafe #sustainability #wastereduction #communityengagement #righttorepair #greenmovement #repairinstead #circulareconomy #fixdontditch #environmentalimpact #michigan #reducereuserecycle #volunteerism #repairskills

??WE ARE HIRING! If you are interested in applying, head over to our website to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gHm9nyip

Black leaders have been helping to drive Michigan’s environmental movement for decades, yet they often face systemic barriers to resources, networks, and institutional support. To help bridge this gap, the Environmental Council launched Community of Practice—a peer learning network designed to connect and strengthen BIPOC executive directors leading environmental organizations in Detroit. Lionel Bradford, President and executive director of The Greening of Detroit, participated in the first cohort and shared how this space has supported his leadership journey. Read more about his experience and the impact of Community of Practice here: https://lnkd.in/e-tGqYnB

Meet the Miller Fellows: Lionel Bradford is the President and Executive Director of The Greening of Detroit, which works to improve Detroiters’ natural environment and quality of life through tree planting and green space maintenance, as well as workforce development and youth education. Lionel helped steer The Greening of Detroit through financial crisis, volunteering his time for several months during rebuilding. The organization is now nationally known for its green infrastructure leadership that is helping shape Detroit’s environmental future.

Congratulations to Lionel Bradford as one of McGregor Fund's 2025 Miller Fellows!

The McGregor Fund's recent Skill Building & Employment grants, to promote economic mobility opportunities that focus on personal development, fulfillment, choice and connection, also included the following grant partners: ?? Urban Neighborhood Initiatives ?? InsideOut Literary Arts ?? The Greening of Detroit ?? Atlantic Impact ?? The Color of Autism Foundation