Detroit

Mariam Noland has been widely recognized as the "hero of the Grand Bargain," the landmark effort to save Detroit from bankruptcy. She was a central figure in organizing a collaborative of foundations to donate $816 million to bail out Detroit's pension system and protect the Detroit Art Institute's art from being sold, and will help oversee the Foundation for Detroit's Future, which was established to oversee Grand Bargain funds, for the next 20 years. Ms. Noland will engage in conversation with Megan Tompkins-Stange, Assistant Professor of Public Policy, about her experience as a foundation professional, her views about the role of philanthropy in providing for public needs, and how community foundations act as agents of social change. 

Each year the Center for Social Impact partners with a social impact organization in Detroit to tackle a live case with U-M students in the winter term. Teams compete to address a real-life strategic challenge currently facing that organization.

An Education Policy Initiative and School of Education Speaker Series with panelists Chastity Pratt Dawsey, reporter for Bridge Magazine, Diana Preciado, instructional specialist at Detroit Public Schools, Lamont D. Satchel, Chief Innovation Officer at Detroit Public Schools, and Tawana Petty aka Honeycomb, Detroit mother/organizer/author/poet.

Key education leaders will offer their perspective and analysis on the evolving education landscape in Detroit, including the establishment of the Education Achievement Authority in 2012, the surge of charter school enrollment, and the influence of nonprofits in the education sector. Panelists include Daniel Varner, Chief Executive Officer of Excellent Schools Detroit and a member of Michigan's State Board of Education, Tom Willis, Chief Executive Officer of Cornerstone Charter Schools in Detroit, and Veronica Conforme, Interim Chancellor of the Education Achievement Authority. Brian Jacob, co-director of the Education Policy Initiative, will moderate.

Join CLOSUP and the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy for a Policy Talks @ the Ford School lecture featuring Kevyn Orr, one year after the start of his appointment as Emergency Manager of the City of Detroit.

Special screening of State of Emergency, a new documentary play inspired by Michigan's controversial Emergency Manager Law. On Saturday, February 23 at 7:00 pm, we will live-stream the performance (taking place in Flint) in Rackham's 4th floor amphitheatre.

Panelists: Kurt Metzger Director, Data Driven Detroit 'Demographic Changes and Opportunities in Detroit' Kami Pothukuchi Associate Professor, Wayne State University 'Food Systems in Detroit' Michael Tenbusch Vice President for Education Preparedness, United Way for Southeastern Michigan 'Education Reform in Detroit' Moderator: Reynolds 'Ren' Farley Professor Emeritus of Sociology, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts University of Michigan Institute for Social Research

Abstract This event begins with a guided bus tour of the City of Detroit, to provide a first hand look at areas of the city that demonstrate the wide range of neighborhood experiences, from those in stress to those already undergoing extensive revitalization. After the tour, the panel discussion will focus on the Detroit Works Project, and the role of community groups in efforts to revitalize the city.

Abstract Over the past two decades, many urban school districts have restructured large, traditional high schools into smaller learning communities. The idea behind this movement is that small schools provide a more personalized learning environment that allows teachers to more effectively address the multi-faceted needs of disadvantaged students. Despite mixed evidence on the efficacy of such reforms in practice, Detroit and other high-poverty districts have pressed forward with the creation of smaller high schools.

Watch video. Abstract This panel discussion will present a number of different approaches to urban food retail in the city of Detroit, including: a program that touches on the conventional grocery industry; a program to develop grocery sector entrepreneurs; a new model for community grocery stores; and alternative formats/vehicles for urban residents to get fresh food. Mo

This panel discussion will present a number of different approaches to urban food retail in the city of Detroit, including: a program that touches on the conventional grocery industry; a program to develop grocery sector entrepreneurs; a new model for community grocery stores; and alternative formats/vehicles for urban residents to get fresh food. Moderator: Larissa Larsen, Assistant Professor of Urban Planning, the University of Michigan Panelists: Fresh Food Access Initiative

The elections and campaigns class at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, taught by Rusty Hills, to host former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer. All students, faculty and staff of the Ford School are invited to attend and ask questions. The session is part of an ongoing segment of the course that invites members of the political community to participate in the class. About the speaker Dennis Archer was the first African-American President of the American Bar Association.

CLOSUP and EPI welcome Mayor of Detroit Mike Duggan for a Policy Talks @ the Ford School lecture.

The financial crisis lay bare how the financial system failed the nation but left hidden the many ways in which that system still fails the most vulnerable Americans. In No Slack, Michael S. Barr explores how low- and moderate-income households cope with financial stress, use financial services to make ends meet, and often come up short. Many households were overleveraged or paid high costs for financial services, while others lacked access to useful financial products that can cushion against economic instability.

Free and open to the public. Auditorium doors will open at 3:30 PM on March 19. This event will be live web-streamed; a link to the web-stream will be posted here on the day of the event at least 30 minutes prior to the start time.

Towsley Policymaker in Residence Javed Ali will moderate a panel discussion with three leading counterterrorism experts--Peter Bergen, Barbara McQuade, and Chris Costa.

um3detroit is an interdisciplinary gathering that brings together U-M's three campuses along with Detroit community partners to share and strengthen our connections to Detroit and each other.