Every year, Challenge Detroit welcomes its new class of Fellows with a week-long orientation that sets them up for a successful year. For the 2020-2021 Fellows, orientation evolved to better suit a virtual format – we held orientation over the course of three weeks on Thursdays and Fridays. Fellows were still able to learn about the city (its history, the policies that shaped it, the neighborhoods), hear from local leaders including many of our alumni as well as partners, learn about design thinking, and of course, learn more about each other.
Some of our featured speakers during orientation include Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, National Race and Equity writer for the Associated Press, Kat Stafford, and Detroit historian Jamon Jordan of Black Scroll Network & History Tours.
We are so grateful to all of the speakers, presenters and panelists for taking the time to welcome, encourage and advise our ninth class of Fellows; helping them to prepare for a year of intellectual service and personal growth ahead.
Fellows listen intently to Detroit historian Jamon Jordan of Black Scroll Network History and Tours during orientation.