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A United Way volunteer event with DTE and Challenge Detroit colleagues. L to R: Andrew Moss, Chloe Kinsey, Harmony Rhodes, Lauren Gallagher and Kaitlin Lapka.<\/p><\/div>\n
Tell us about your host company and your role in the organization.<\/strong><\/p>\n I work as a strategy analyst on the Public Affairs team at DTE<\/a>, a Fortune 500 company and one of the nation\u2019s largest utilities. With previous experience in business marketing, government and non-profits, I enjoy continuing to expand my professional skills in this position.<\/p>\n My business unit is responsible for leading the company\u2019s corporate citizenship initiatives<\/a>, including philanthropy and volunteerism, as well as partnering with local stakeholders to ensure DTE remains a force for growth in the communities it serves.<\/p>\n Specifically, my work helps advance our corporate citizenship programs by ensuring that our employees are working strategically, efficiently and collaboratively, and that we\u2019re able to measure our work in accordance with the United Nation\u2019s Sustainable Development Goals<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tell us about the challenge project you\u2019re currently working on; what are you learning from the experience?<\/strong><\/p>\n In the halls of Pershing High School for our first project with Detroit Public Schools Community District.<\/p><\/div>\n My current Challenge project is to co-design an engagement strategy for the City of Detroit\u2019s Office of Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity<\/a>. This office ensures that Detroit remains an inclusive city for all.<\/p>\n One of the most important things I\u2019ve learned from working with this dedicated team is understanding how many diverse ways there are to safeguard an equitable city, from language access services to civils rights investigations to business certifications and more.<\/p>\n I was also surprised to learn about Detroit’s leadership in this space! For example, did you know that Detroit has inspired other communities with its Community Benefits Ordinance<\/a>: a law that requires developers to proactively engage with the community and address potential negative impacts?<\/p>\n How do you hope to impact the community this year?<\/strong><\/p>\n I believe I\u2019ve already begun making an impact! Halfway through my fellowship, I\u2019m grateful for how much I\u2019ve already challenged myself and given back to my fellowship cohort and my city. The hours of collaborative and problem-solving work we\u2019ve all put in help build incremental impact toward the betterment of Detroit.<\/p>\n Since becoming a Fellow, what have you learned?<\/strong><\/p>\n Becoming a Challenge Detroit fellow has reaffirmed my belief in the power of empathy. Not only is empathy a critical component in our design thinking process as fellows, but I believe it\u2019s also a necessary skill for anyone working in communities or who has a desire to serve others. It\u2019s been rewarding to see this perspective in action and valued by so many of my peers in Detroit.<\/p>\n Please share the most memorable moment you have experienced so far as a Fellow. Why was it memorable and how has it impacted you?<\/strong><\/p>\n Visiting the home of Dr. Ossian H. Sweet at 2905 Garland Street.<\/p><\/div>\n One of my most memorable experiences to-date was visiting the Ossian H. Sweet House<\/a> on our Detroit immersion tour with Jamon Jordan of Black Scroll Network History & Tours<\/a>.<\/p>\n Dr. Ossian Sweet was a Black Detroiter who moved into a White neighborhood in 1925. His house soon became the site of confrontation due to racial tensions, and he became famous nationwide after his resulting legal case was defended by nationally known NAACP attorney, Clarence Darrow.<\/p>\n Today, Dr. Sweet\u2019s home remains an important part of the civil rights movement and is in the process of becoming a permanent museum and visitation site. To physically visit his home and learn his story from a passionate tour guide was a truly informative and reflective experience for me. I thank Challenge Detroit for allowing me to grow through activities like this.<\/p>\n If someone reading your interview is considering in applying to be a Fellow, why would you encourage them to apply?<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/challengedetroit.builtrare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Kaitlin-L-at-Pershing-HS-220x300.jpg\")
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