I AM YOUNG DETROIT

28-Year-Old Tunde Wey is a Big F Deal

"Not to sound too metaphysical, but I think the city is making more of an impact on me than I am on it. I really came out here to be able to investigate a more authentic idea of who I am."

Emily Doerr, 26, aspires to make Detroit more accessible with new Hostel

"Right now is the time in my life to make change, to build, to be actively pursuing the impossible and make it happen. Detroit is a city that needs that energy right now!"

Featured Profile » Danielle Green, 26, Founder of Vixen Fitness

"I love the drive and passion Detroiters maintain despite the image the media portrays. Detroit is one of the best cities to live in and operate a business!"

Featured Profile » Mashawnta Armstrong, 28, Designer & Publisher of MASH Magazine

"I wish that people knew that Detroit has a huge creative and artistic population that is bursting at the seams. There are those creatives that are pursuing their goals by just being who they are..."

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".

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."

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".

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."

Featured Profile » My-Ishia Cason-Brown, 29, Actress, Dancer, and Model

"Detroit is my home and it's where my family is. I was inspired most by my mother, she exposed me to museums, theaters, and opened me to appreciate life and everything in it".

Featured Profile » Melinda Anderson, 34, Founder of MeMe Design & Events

"I stay here because it is my desire and dream to build the impossible. I love Detroit and believe in the possibility of it becoming a truly great city".

Featured Profile » Lauren Henrikson, 23, Founder of Detroit’s Free Store

"I think the city is poetic. Its history, its current condition. And the fact that at this point, if you have enough energy, you can really try anything here".

Featured Profile » Shannon Reaves, 31, Co-Owner of Bath Savvy

"I hope for passionate entrepreneurs, creative young people and business leaders to support a change in this city to be a success story unlike any other American city has done!"

Featured Profile » Marcel Friday, 25, Publisher of WhutUpDoe!

"We're in control of our destiny. We're in control of our own future and the less action you take today, the more negativity happens tomorrow".

Featured Profile » David Merritt, 23, Founder of I Miss You, INC.

"I don't see our current situation as a problem, I see it as a world of opportunity. An opportunity for each and every one of us to make a difference."

QUIZ TO COME!

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 Doers: Creatives, Entrepreneurs, and Leaders 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. We plan on launching something cool in 2011. Hope you join us!