State of the City 2021

Opportunity Rising

Mayor Duggan delivered his 2021 State of the City address virtually on Tuesday, March 9 at the FCA Assembly Plant. Learn more below about how to get connected to City programs and opportunities.

 

Detroiters Making a Difference

 


King Yadee
A Detroit-based hip-hop artist and producer, King Yadee decided to drop the mic after seeing the decline in his old neighborhood on Seven Mile and Archdale. As a licensed builder, Yadee used money he earned from music to rehab homes in the west side community. Read more.

 

 

 

Gino Solomon
After serving eight years in prison, Gino Solomon took full advantage of his second chance. In just two years as a City of Detroit employee, he went from boarding up vacant homes to becoming the carpenter foreman for the City’s Alley Cleanup Program. Solomon has purchased three abandoned homes to rehab and help revitalize the community.
 

 

 

Curtis Johnson
A Morehouse College graduate, Curtis Johnson felt it was important to come back home to Detroit and give back to the city that gave so much to him. As a licensed builder and President of Inner City Contracting, Johnson feels that Proposal N, the City of Detroit’s Demolition Program, is a perfect way to contribute. He also takes great pride in his company being transparent and doing right by Detroiters. Fifty years from now, he wants his children and grandchildren to know that he did his part to help take care of the city.

 

 


Block Clubs Participating in Alley Clean-Up Program
As trash pick-ups moved to the street in residential neighborhoods years ago, alleys were neglected, which led to mounds of overgrowth and trash. As a result, the City of Detroit launched the Alley Clean-Up Program. Once a block club submits a request and commits to maintain the alley, the City will come out and clean the specified area free of charge. In the first year of the program, 505 alleys were cleared. Read more.

 

 

 

Christopher Samp, Director of the Office of Disability Affairs
Christopher Samp will lead the newly-created Office of Disability Affairs (ODA) within the Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity Department. The ODA will work to ensure equity and inclusion for residents with disabilities and champion the rights and opportunities concerning employment, programs, and services in the city of Detroit. As a Deaf member of the disability community, Samp serves as a board member with the Michigan Deaf Association. Both his passion for advocacy and Bachelor of Science degree in Public Policy will be strong assets as Samp works with the administration to fulfill the office’s mission. Samp recently assisted Mayor Duggan and his team with vaccination expansion for individuals with disabilities. “I am proud to be part of our collaborative efforts in making Detroit the most accessible and inclusive city,” said Samp.

 

City Council President
Off
City Council Pro Tem
Off

 

In America, talent has been evenly distributed, opportunity has not. As your City of Detroit government, we believe it’s our responsibility to fight that inequality. We believe Detroit government can be a springboard for opportunity, helping Detroiters, no matter their neighborhood, achieve their dreams.

In Detroit, Opportunity is Rising.

 

Programs

 

Get a job

 

 

Own a home

 

 

Pay for college

 

 

Get a fresh start

 

 

Get a summer job

 

 

Help with taxes

 

 

Open your business

 

Rehab your home

 

Become an entrepreneur

 

About State of The City
 
Mosiac Youth Choir

Performer: Mosaic Youth Theatre
Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit empowers young people to maximize their potential through professional performing arts training and through the creation of theatrical and musical art that engages, transforms and inspires. Our critically acclaimed student-driven performances and national and international tours have brought worldwide attention to Detroit as a center for arts and culture while shining a spotlight on the area’s talented young people and creating new and diverse audiences for the performing arts. These innovative programs provide expert training, mentoring and opportunity to the area’s young actors, singers, and stage technicians, while fostering a culture of high expectations, active participation and acceptance that serves them beyond the stage.  

 
FCA Plant


Location: FCA Mack Avenue Engine Plant
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA/Stellantis) is working to expand the Mack Avenue Engine Complex and update the adjacent Jefferson North Assembly plant, marking the first new first automotive assembly plant built in the city in nearly 30 years. The plant is home to the Jeep brand's newest three-row SUV, the Grand Cherokee L. The new plant will employ thousands of Detroit residents hired through the Detroit at Work process. The new assembly plant is part of the City’s larger commitment to create opportunities for Detroiters by attracting jobs and investment, along with skills training through Detroit at Work to prepare them for emerging employment opportunities.