Detroit PBS
The Song Foundation bridges gaps for Michigan entrepreneurs in the innovation economy
Dug Song, co-founder and president of the Song Foundation, and Khalilah Burt Gaston, its founding executive director, are driving a vision to empower Michigan entrepreneurs and bridge the gaps that exist in the state’s innovation ecosystem. Focused on fostering diversity and inclusion, the Song Foundation supports initiatives that give Michiganders a pathway to participating in the growing innovation economy.One Detroit contributor Zoe Clark, political director for Michigan Public, spoke with Song and Gaston at the 2025 Detroit Policy Conference about growing the state’s innovation economy.
Ford invests in the future of mobility through its Michigan Central campus
Michigan Central in Detroit includes Ford’s recently renovated train station as well as Newlab, which is home to more than 100 startups. One Detroit contributor Nolan Finley, editorial page editor at The Detroit News, talks with Michigan Central Chief Operating Officer Carolina Pluszczynski about investing in the future of mobility in the Motor City at the 2025 Detroit Policy Conference. She discussed strides to make the 30-acre campus a mobility innovation hub and what she envisions Michigan Central will become in the next 10 years.
Black Tech Saturdays is building an inclusive tech ecosystem in Detroit
Johnnie and Alexa Turnage, co-founders of Black Tech Saturdays, are helping to increase African American representation and entrepreneurship in the tech industry. The initiative aims to close the racial wealth gap by empowering Black tech communities nationwide through training, workshops, and advocacy. In partnership with Michigan Central, Black Tech Saturdays hosts events at Newlab in Detroit. One Detroit contributor Stephen Henderson, host of “American Black Journal,” sits down with the co-founders at the 2025 Detroit Policy Conference to discuss fostering an inclusive tech ecosystem in Detroit.
Creative Class Group releases new report on Detroit-Ann Arbor Innovation Corridor
At the 2025 Detroit Policy Conference, Creative Class Group Founder Richard Florida unveiled his organization’s latest report, “The Case for a Detroit-Ann Arbor Innovation Corridor,” highlighting the potential for a groundbreaking regional innovation hub. The report emphasizes the role of research universities, particularly the University of Michigan, Wayne State, and Michigan State’s Detroit Center, in driving innovation in fields like AI, robotics, and green energy. One Detroit contributor Zoe Clark, political director for Michigan Public, sat down with Florida to talk about the possibilities for the Detroit region’s innovation economy.
2025 Detroit Policy Conference focuses on driving growth in the region’s innovation economy
The annual Detroit Policy Conference will be held at the MotorCity Casino Jan. 23. The conference is presented by the Detroit Regional Chamber and brings together business, civic, and government leaders. This year’s theme is “Driving the Innovation Economy.”Key Michigan leaders will explore how Detroit and the surrounding area can attract startups, high-tech companies, investment, and talent. Conversations will focus on fostering a competitive innovation ecosystem. The Detroit News Editorial Page Editor and One Detroit contributor Nolan Finley talked to Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy Baruah about this year’s conference. View coverage from previous conferences here.
Michigan’s hot 50 jobs through 2032: High demand in STEM fields, changing workforce trends
Michigan’s workforce is set for a significant shift over the next decade, according to a recent report from the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics (MCDA). The “Michigan Hot 50 Job Outlook through 2032” highlights the state’s fastest-growing jobs, with a focus on fields requiring specialized skills and higher education. The report ranks the top 50 jobs in Michigan based on projected job growth, median wages, and the number of available openings. The data is drawn from state and federal sources to provide valuable insights for policymakers. Among the top 50, heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers are projected to have over 6,400 new positions. Other notable jobs include registered nurses with nearly 6,000 projected openings and software developers, with more than 3,300 openings. Michigan’s workforce will also see a high demand for jobs within STEM fields over the next decade. At the same time, jobs that have traditionally had lower barriers to entry—such as those with shorter training periods—are declining. MCDA Research Manager Evan Linskey pointed to technological advancements, which are automating certain tasks, making these positions less viable in the long term. One Detroit producer Will Glover sat down with Linskey to discuss Michigan’s evolving job market and economic landscape.
Detroit Future City’s 5th annual Equity Forum focuses on bridging gaps for Detroiters
Detroit Future City is gearing up for its 5th annual Equity Forum, with this year’s focus on increasing workforce equity for Detroiters. The event will be hosted from 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at the Wayne County Community College Northwest Campus. “Five years later, it’s become a pivotal and seminal event for Detroit and the economic development and justice community,” Detroit Future City CEO Anika Goss said. Alongside conversations on equity, inclusion and the future of work with local speakers and experts, the event will feature a session with Columbia School of Journalism Dean Jelani Cobb. It will also explore how companies of all sizes can help bridge educational and skill gaps to provide better employment opportunities and higher incomes to residents in the region. “We want to make sure that as Detroit and the region continue to grow and change that everyone is included in that,” Goss said. One Detroit’s Will Glover sits down with Goss to talk about the upcoming Equity Forum, which will focus on equity in employment. Plus, they discuss Detroit Future City’s goals of making the city more equitable and sustainable, and how companies can implement better equity practices across their organizations.
Michigan Tech Week 2024 hosted at newly renovated Michigan Central campus
Featured photo courtesy of Michigan Tech WeekThe 2024 Michigan Tech Week takes place Oct. 1-4 this year at the newly renovated Michigan Central in Detroit. As one of the largest convenings focused on technology and high-growth entrepreneurship in Michigan, the event brings together a diverse group of founders, investors, and innovators. Organized by a coalition of local organizations and presented by the Michigan Founders Fund, the event aims to strengthen Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Attendees can expect a range of activities, including workshops, panel discussions, pitch competitions and networking opportunities. The startup conference will also feature prominent speakers, including Melissa Butler, CEO of The Lip Bar, who will share insights on her entrepreneurial journey. The event is seen as a crucial platform for connecting startups with potential investors and resources, reflecting Michigan’s commitment to enhancing its tech sector. One Detroit’s Will Glover talks with Rishi Moudgil, the executive director of the Michigan Founders Fund, about the four-day event for tech founders, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.
Michigan ranks second-last in U.S. population growth. Former Ambassador John Rakolta, Jr. explains why.
Michigan’s population is at a crossroads. Ranked 49th out of 50 states in terms of population growth, Michigan has been struggling to attract new people and retain its residents, and the implications for the state’s economy and prosperity could be dire. According to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 43,000 people moved out of Michigan between 2020-2022. At the 2024 Detroit Policy Conference, business leaders and policymakers convened to tackle Michigan’s shrinking population and discuss potential solutions. Former Ambassador John Rakolta Jr. and Shirley Stancato, Wayne State University Board of Governors Member, served as chairs of the conference, which hosted conversations around the future workforce, education, creating vibrant communities, and the city of Detroit’s efforts to attract new residents. One Detroit contributor Nolan Finley, who is also editorial page editor of the Detroit News, sat down with Rakolta, co-chairman of the Growing Michigan Together Council, at this year’s Detroit Policy Conference to talk about where Michigan stands when it comes to growing its population. They discuss the four drivers of growing the state’s population. According to Rakolta, growing Michigan’s population in the short term seems unlikely, but the state should still focus on increasing productivity and prosperity. One way to do so is by investing more in the educational quotient of the entire state and unifying labor and management in the workforce to increase the state’s readiness for embracing innovation, Rakolta said. He also talks about what it would take to implement these improvements. Stay Connected Subscribe to One Detroit’s YouTube Channel and don’t miss One Detroit on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on Detroit PBS, WTVS-Channel 56. Catch the daily conversations on our website, Facebook, Twitter @DPTVOneDetroit, and Instagram @One.Detroit View Past Episodes > Watch One Detroit Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. ET on Detroit Public TV on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56.
Blast Detroit’s EV Automotive Mobility Program prepares Detroiters for an electrified future
Blast Detroit has launched an innovative program, the EV Automotive Mobility Program, that equips Detroiters with the skills necessary for jobs that will soon be in high demand. The program offers hands-on training in the maintenance and repair of electric vehicles, as well as education in internal combustion engine technology, in an effort to bridge the gap and address the racial disparity within the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Only roughly 2% of EV owners are Black, a statistic often attributed to vehicle costs and a notable lack of charging stations in predominantly Black neighborhoods, often referred to as “charging deserts.” The racial disparity within the EV industry is not just about car ownership; it extends to broader implications for public health and economic opportunities. RELATED: Students of The Blackbottom Group’s EV Automotive Mobility Program in Detroit learn how to repair and perform maintenance on electric vehicles. | Photo by One Detroit High asthma rates and air pollution have disproportionately affected Black Americans in zip codes where electric vehicle adoption has been slower due to a lack of infrastructure. Additionally, the lack of charging stations has hindered mobility and participation in the gig economy, especially in urban areas. Ray Smith, the visionary behind the Deroit program, spoke with One Detroit Senior Producer Bill Kubota, to shed some light on the critical mission of the program and the skills students are being taught. Smith also talks about how he hopes the program will narrow the employment gap, improve health outcomes, and promote green job opportunities in communities of color. Stay Connected Subscribe to Detroit PBS YouTube Channel & Don’t miss American Black Journal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Detroit PBS, WTVS-Channel 56. Catch the daily conversations on our website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @amblackjournal. View Past Episodes > Watch American Black Journal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56.
Navigating the Return to Office | Future of Work Series with Detroit Economic Club
[embedded content]How companies are navigating the return to office post-pandemic While companies wrestle with new ways of working, a range of solutions, and a range of employee reactions to those solutions, are emerging. The office offers places to build important relationships and work collaboratively toward business objectives. So why has a return to the office been so challenging — and what can business leaders do to transform their space to support people and earn the commute? RELATED: Join One Detroit and the Detroit Economic Club for a conversation with Steelcase Inc. President and CEO Sara Armbruster and Rocket Companies President and COO Bill Emerson to hear how they’re managing this new reality and why they still believe work is better when people are together. About the Speakers: [et_pb_accordion_item title=”Sara Armbruster, President/CEO, Steelcase Inc.” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Sara Armbruster is the President and CEO of Steelcase Inc., the company trusted by organizations around the world to create inspiring, productive, adaptable, and safe workplaces. In addition to her role on the company’s board of directors, Sara brings executive experience from several positions to the office of CEO, which she assumed in October 2021. Most recently, she served as executive vice president of Steelcase and, before that, as vice president, strategy, research and digital transformation. As leader of this group, Sara was responsible for advancing digital technologies and digital transformation at Steelcase, as well as leadership of the IT organization. Sara also has had responsibility for a range of innovation activities including global design research, the design and implementation of new business models, and the development of external growth opportunities, including acquisitions and partnerships. ln addition, in past roles Sara has had oversight for the company’s Applied Research + Consulting practice, Steelcase Health, Steelcase Education and the PolyVision subsidiary, which Steelcase divested in 2019. Before joining Steelcase, Sara served as vice president of business development at Banta Corporation, a publicly traded global printing and supply chain services company based in Menasha, Wisconsin. ln that role, she led strategy development and managed all merger and acquisition activity. Sara also worked for McKinsey & Company in Boston, Massachusetts and Andersen Consulting in New York, New York. Her consulting experience spanned industries and included work in North America, Europe and Asia. Sara currently serves on the board of directors of Winnebago Industries and Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose. She also sits on the boards of Business Leaders for Michigan, The Right Place and BIFMA, and she is a trustee of the Steelcase Foundation. Sara holds a bachelor’s degree in Slavic languages and literatures from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut; a master’s degree in international relations from the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C.; and an MBA from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. [et_pb_accordion_item title=”Bill Emerson, President/COO, Rocket Companies” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”] Bill Emerson is President and Chief Operating Officer of Rocket Companies. Since August 2020, he has also served as Vice Chairman of Bedrock. In this role, he is responsible for leadership, growth and development of culture. From 2002 to 2017, Bill was Chief Executive Officer of Rocket Mortgage, the Company’s flagship business, a position he held for 15 years. Bill is a member of the Board of Directors of Xenith, Inc., a football helmet company dedicated to advancing safety through innovation and education; the United Way of Southeast Michigan; Detroit Economic Club; Detroit Sports Organizing Committee; Housing Policy Council; Mortgage Bankers Association; National Football Foundation; Rocket Giving Fund; The Parade Company; the Detroit Children’s Fund and the Skillman Foundation. Bill earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Penn State University. Bill’s extensive leadership roles in our key businesses for many years gives him a unique understanding of our business, culture and history through many economic cycles, which is particularly critical given recent executive transitions and the current macroeconomic challenges. His senior leadership experience also will provide our Board with valuable perspective in significant areas of oversight such as long-term strategy, budgeting, risk management, human capital management and succession planning. Stay Connected Subscribe to One Detroit’s YouTube Channel & Don’t miss One Detroit Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56. Catch the daily conversations on our website, Facebook, Twitter @DPTVOneDetroit, and Instagram @One.Detroit View Past Episodes > Watch One Detroit every Monday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET on Detroit Public TV on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56.
Pasa la Palabra: Latin-X-Tech event celebrates Detroit’s Hispanic, Latino Americans in the tech industry
Hispanic and Latino American workers make up 17% of total employment across the nation, but just 8% of all science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workers, a 2021 PEW Research study found. Despite their small share, they still make large contributions to their industries, as evidenced by the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation’s Pasa la Palabra: Latin-X-Tech event. RELATED: Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation fundraises to support hurricane fiona relief in Puerto Rico The event, held in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, brought together a diverse group of Hispanic and Latino American technology professionals, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts for a day of connection and celebration. Attendees were treated to a lineup of conversations from industry experts who focused on the importance of Hispanic and Latino American representation in technology, as well as panel discussions with small business owners from Detroit. Members of Detroit’s Hispanic and Latino American communities talk about their involvement in robotics and engineering at the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation’s Pasa la Palabra: Latin-X Tech event. | Photo by One Detroit The event was more than just a place for networking and learning, however. It was a platform for Detroit’s Hispanic and Latino American communities to showcase their achievements, share their stories and address the challenges they face in the tech industry. It also celebrated Hispanic and Latino American culture through its food, music and local artisan offerings. One Detroit contributor Bryce Huffman visited the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation’s Pasa la Palabra: Latin-X-Tech event to learn how Detroit’s Hispanic and Latino American communities continue to carve out their place in the tech world. He talks with Anita Zavala, the entrepreneurship and wealth-building director at Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation; Jessie Feliz, the founder and lead educator of Spanish S.W.A.G.; Eye Breathe Design Founder Eddi Gonzales; and Mikey’s Cocina Founder Miguel Mendez Roman, who is also the building manager at the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation. Stay Connected Subscribe to One Detroit’s YouTube Channel and don’t miss One Detroit on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on Detroit PBS, WTVS-Channel 56. Catch the daily conversations on our website, Facebook, Twitter @DPTVOneDetroit, and Instagram @One.Detroit View Past Episodes > Watch One Detroit Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. ET on Detroit Public TV on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56.
Technology impacts on industry and how to prepare future workers now | Future of Work Series with Detroit Economic Club
[embedded content]A livestream conversation about preparing future workers forthe impact of autonomous technology on the workplace Technology has changed almost every product, both the way they are made and function. In the next 10-20 years, the concept of manual labor will be heavily impacted by autonomous technology and robotics themes. This will touch almost every industry, especially manufacturing and healthcare. Educators need to embrace this change and make sure students will be trained in a multi-disciplinary manner, including the use of a variety of technologies to fill the needs of employers. Stay Connected Subscribe to One Detroit’s YouTube Channel & Don’t miss One Detroit Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56. Catch the daily conversations on our website, Facebook, Twitter @DPTVOneDetroit, and Instagram @One.Detroit View Past Episodes > Watch One Detroit every Monday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET on Detroit Public TV on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56.
