The Kresge Foundation

"The erasure of Black Bottom and Paradise Valley — thriving Black communities rich with culture and entrepreneurship — remains one of Detroit’s deepest historical wounds," Kresge Detroit Program Manager Wendy Lewis Jackson writes in a commentary. When I-75 and I-375 carved through these neighborhoods in the 1950s and 1960s, they didn’t just displace residents without compensation; they shattered the fabric of vital communities, severed generations of connections, and inflicted lasting trauma that still reverberates through Detroit today. With the replacement of the aging I-375 on the horizon, Kresge has supported bringing expertise and community input into the planning process to avoid “re-setting in concrete the missteps of the past for generations to come.” The Downtown Detroit Partnership’s?I-375 Peer Review Report, released last week, was supported by Kresge’s?Detroit Program?and points to a future different from the past. https://lnkd.in/eBxtnNc8

During a time when many organizations are scaling back their DEIJ efforts, The Kresge Foundation remains unequivocally committed to equity and investing in a pipeline of diverse leaders. This fall, Kresge launched a new fellowship program to develop future social sector leaders committed to equity and inclusion. After an analysis of past and current fellows’ experiences, through written memos and group discussions, five key opportunities emerged to develop more successful fellowship programs that can be adapted across the social sector: ? Create a cohort onboarding model. ? Provide consistency in the fellowship experience. ? Prioritize access to information and community-building. ? Provide professional development and mentorship opportunities. ? Offer peer-to-peer learning. #fellows #philanthropy #diversity #mentorship

HBCUs represent only 3% of the nation’s colleges and universities but collectively generate?$16.5 billion in economic impact annually. At the recent Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) Conference, Kresge held two sessions highlighting HBCUs' aspirations to be community development anchors, which present emerging partnership opportunities for mission-minded financial institutions. The Brookings Institution scholar Andre M. Perry said, "I always remind people that HBCUs are treated like black people, that the lack of wealth is reflected in a lack of endowments. And so, understand that as people are devalued, so are these institutions we populate.” #HBCUs Photo (l to r): Dillard University Treasurer Edward Patrick, The Public Finance Initiative 's Lourdes German, Kresge's Erika Brice and Brookings's Andre Perry at the Opportunity Finance Network conference.

It was delightful to share this poster and talk with so many at #ComNet24 about Kresge’s centennial. Thanks for the share, The Communications Network!

One thing is clear: Any movement committed to lasting change must place climate justice, equity, and racial justice at its core.?That was a key takeaway from the recent event featuring climate activist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and social activist adrienne maree brown in a discussion about their provocative new books before an audience of several hundred in Detroit. The authors of?"What If We Get It Right?"?and?"Loving Corrections," respectively, called on those in attendance to find their own roles in advancing the movement for environmental justice through the lens of interdependence and collective effort. Hosted by Urban Consulate and moderated by journalist Orlando Bailey, the event kicks off a series to be continued in 2025.

Did you miss last week's webinar on the role of government in regenerating civic infrastructure? Main Street America and the Percent for Place coalition have got you covered with the recording available here: https://lnkd.in/epTVduBG Learn more about the Connective Tissue policy framework through the brief presentation by Sam Pressler, and then tune into a robust conversation on how all levels of government can craft policy and programs to support more social connection through civic infrastructure. Featuring: ? Erika Poethig, Executive Vice President of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago ? Kendal Smith, Director of Policy Development and Legislative Affairs for Governor Phil Scott, State of Vermont ? Anita Cozart, Director, DC Office of Planning ? Alexa Bush, Program Officer - Detroit, The Kresge Foundation (moderator) #civicinfrastructure #webinar #video #policy #practice #government #connection #PercentforPlace

Congratulations to Sue Mosey and the entire team at the Detroit Cultural Center Association for the Midtown Cultural Connections project winning one of the five inaugural “Urban Visioning Awards: Partners in Progress” given by the Bilbao (Spain) Guggenheim museum at their “Bilbao Metropoli 30” global forum. Comprising public agencies, academic and private sector partners, and twelve cultural institutions including the Detroit Institute of Arts, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit Historical Society, Detroit Public Library, Michigan Science Center, The Scarab Club and others – the project seeks to reimagine the Midtown cultural district. The prestigious award recognizes international urban projects grounded in public-private partnerships that present the potential to inspire and motivate professionals involved in urban development. They place a premium on public space innovation, environmental stewardship, pedestrian enhancements, and social inclusion. #Detroit

JOB OPENINGS AT KRESGE: There are two current open positions at Kresge. Visit our Careers page to learn more about the positions, how to apply and about working at the foundation: https://lnkd.in/dhePV8M. ? Director of Portfolio Management, Social Investment Practice ? Associate Investment Director #jobs #philanthropy #careers

As part of a year-long series of conversations about climate equity, justice and resilience, national radio and podcast host Tavis Smiley recently talked with Kresge Environment Managing Director Shamar A. Bibbins about the foundation’s work and how cities can combat and adapt to climate change while advancing racial and economic justice. Providing support and resources to those who are closest to the problem and disproportionally impacted by climate change is how you actually get change and policies that protect communities, Bibbins says. Listen to the podcast: https://lnkd.in/e54ktpSD

The ambitious plans of the nonprofit organization Detroit Horse Power to create an urban “equine center” in Northwest Detroit that will focus on building the strength of young people’s social and emotional skills through caring for, riding & interacting with horses – took a giant leap forward when the organization recently broke ground. Horse Power’s CEO is David Silver, who a decade ago came to Detroit from New York to be an elementary school teacher through the Teach For America program. His patience has paid off. It took him years, but he was ultimately able to convince the Detroit City Council to change a city ordinance making it illegal to house livestock in the city – permitting projects to be considered on a case-by-case basis. He estimates that construction will wrap up in a year.?Congratulations!