I AM YOUNG DETROIT | A brighter future starts here

IAYD.tv Webisode #3 » Hajj Flemings, 38, Personal Branding Strategist & Founder of Brand Camp U

"Detroit was the Silicon Valley of its day with the automotive industry and Motown. One of my goals is to help the City of Detroit return to prominence in the interactive space".

Featured Profile » Stacyé Jones, 24, Founder of Sounds of Soul Radio & Liquid Flow Radio

"I just want people all over the world to hear and know the talent Detroit has!"

IAYD.tv Webisode #2 » Roland “Ro Spit” Coit, 31, Hip Hop Artist & Co-Owner of Burn Rubber Sneaker Boutique

"The people of Detroit...are real, there's no sugar coating or fakery, they give it to you straight up, no chaser."

Featured Profile » Philip Lauri, 27, Creator of DETROIT LIVES!

"Detroit is America's most exciting city, how could I not stay? ...Anyone with a lick of adventurous spirit in their stride should be foaming at the mouth right now."

Invest in Detroit, One Inch At A Time

In virtual Loveland, USA you can invest in Detroit for one dollar per square inch. "The idea is to build a bridge in Detroit. It’s a virtual bridge, kind of a metaphorical bridge". - Jerry Paffendor

Featured Profile » Noah Stephens, 31, Photographer & Creator of The People of Detroit Project

"National media coverage tends to focus solely on the crumbling physical and emotional infrastructure of the city. That's fine. That is a part of the city. I'm just doing my part to expose the other part."

How We Live » 71 Garfield makes “green” look good

Newly renovated and certified “green” building 71 Garfield will soon house 30 spaces for artists to live, work, and play. See how they'll do it...

IAYD.tv Webisode #1 » Ken Bloink, 28, Co-Founder of PostEgram

"I wish people appreciated how many great entrepreneurs this city has produced...My plan is to be part of a Detroit come back".

D+Style » What to Wear: Bravo Bravo!

We've got some great ideas to make sure you'll be showing up in all the best dressed lists with your stylish look.

A brighter future starts here

IAYD has had the opportunity to meet several young people who spearhead initiatives that take tremendous leaps towards making Detroit a better place for our youth. Today, we're spotlighting two of those initiatives.

Featured Profile » Twins Diana & Julie Verdugo, 26, Founders of Gemela Design

"Our favorite thing about Detroit is the strong opportunity that it holds and we are convinced that we could not have found anywhere else."

Featured Profile » Asia Willis, 26, Fashion Journalist & Publisher of The NYLA Report

"Detroit gets a bad wrap for EVERYTHING and fashion is no different. I know we have talented people here, but I want people outside the city to feel the same way".

Featured Profile » Brandon Jessup, 28, Founder of Michigan Forward

"If it wasn't for Detroit, I wouldn't have such a strong understanding of community, what it means to be Black and what democracy means to the middle class. If there wasn't a Detroit, I wouldn't be who I am today."

How We Live » Sean Gray’s Mid-Century Mood

Meet Sean Gray. Young Detroiter. Business Consultant. Mid-Century Modern Enthusiast. Meet Sean Gray's Pad...

Featured Profile » Adam Marshall, 29, Founder of La Famiglia Magazine

"The cultural history that has led us to this point in time and the people and movements that are sculpting our futures make this place something like no other place in the world".

Launched in BETA on January 1, 2010, I Am Young Detroit is not just a blog, it’s a movement that highlights Detroit’s young and upcoming Visionaries, Innovators, Community Leaders, Philanthropists, and Young Professionals under 40. We profile Young Detroiters who are making their mark on the City of Detroit through their accomplishments and service to the community. We also publish positive news clips from our favorite sources and brief insights into other cool things happening in Detroit. It is our hope that this resource will be used to retain and attract young people to the city. Every Monday is something new! Eventually, we’d like to feature original news stories and articles like this. If you are interested in writing for IAYD contact us. Find out more about some of our current regular features:

Featured Profiles

Our featured profiles are the backbone of our blog and critical to the growth and strength of the I Am Young Detroit movement. We feature outstanding young people under 40 from the Metro Detroit area representing a variety of backgrounds and possessing a broad range of interests and goals. Through sharing the stories and accomplishments of our young locals we hope to encourage other young people to make their mark on the city of Detroit.
See it >>

Something Newsworthy

Local news from our favorite news sources. See it >>

Something Viral

We scour the web for online buzz about Detroit. See it! See it >>

D+Style

Recession-friendly fashion, style, decor, and beauty…all with a local shopping twist! See it >>

How We Live

We look inside Young Detroiters’ homes and meet the faces, design, and inspiration behind their dwellings. See it >>

Home Grown

We ask successful home-grown Detroiters the same 5 questions. [Coming Soon]

Link’D

Each weekend we bring the goods from our favorite local news blogs and websites. See it >>

The Big Book of Young Detroit

I Am Young Detroit will be publishing our first ever The Big Book Of Young Detroit in 2011. As you know twice monthly we profile Young Detroiters who are making their mark on the City of Detroit through their accomplishments and service to the community right here at iamyoungdetroit.com. We’d like to take that a step further by publishing a comprehensive listing recognizing the many Young Metro Detroiters making their mark. The book will also feature tons of other surprises and resources, so make sure you and your company are not missing out! Learn more >>

IAYD IN THE NEWS!

Check out Time Magazine’s Podcast Interview with IAYD Publisher Margarita Barry. Listen Now >>

Meet the Contributors

Margarita produces most of the content you see on the blog each week and designs all of the graphics and layout. She loves you.

Elisse is not only a fabulous writer and actress, but she’s one of IAYD’s strongest supporters! She has contributed two terrific feature stories so far: Local Tech Scenesters Come Together To Change The Region’s Future and A Brighter Future Starts Here.

Rochelle is the hostess with the mostess! Check out her first video hosting gig over at IAYD.tv. Rochelle hopes to some day get into news broadcasting…we just hope she doesn’t forget about us when she’s famous.

Asia has managed to get IAYD featured on Channel 7, Model D, The Michigan Citizen, and Observer & Eccentric all in a matter of weeks. As if being the best PR Director in the world wasn’t enough, this fashionista also publishes her own popular blog.

Mike is our newest addition! Check out his first video hosting gig over at IAYD.tv. Mike has an infectious positive spirit and passion for Detroit art and culture. Check out his growing blog/enterprise over at Street Culture Mash.

Advertising & Collaboration Opportunities

We have partnership opportunities available for businesses and organizations looking to reach Young Detroiters, including advertising, promotional sponsorships, and more! Please fill out the form below for more information: