D:hive is coming to town

Inside Detroit came about because 2 people saw a need for something and they did something about it.  They saw a need for a space where people could get information about Detroit, where people who wanted to learn more about Detroit’s past could.  That’s how things happen in Detroit.  People see where there are holes in the system and then fill them.

The same thing is happening right now, 6 years later, Inside Detroit is growing.  We’ve expanded our space and we’re now cohabiting with a new, just starting up, non-profit,  The D:hive.

“The D:hive will be a non-profit partnership that will help individuals connect with information and resources relevant to living, working and engaging in Detroit through the direct assistance of a D:hive team member. D:hive team members will act as “air traffic control” for many institutions, programs and projects that wish to serve, assist and partner with new Detroit residents”

Thursday, December 8th was the D:hive’s pre-launch party at the Madison Theater Building.

They asked for help pollinating the D:hive. Over one hundred fifty people were able to come out and share ideas on nine different resource questions that the D:hive is working on to assist individuals wishing to live, work and engage in Detroit. The questions were

1. Welcome to Detroit What information/resources exist, and what is needed to help individuals get to know Detroit?

2. Partner & Parallel Initiatives In Detroit, what efforts/entities already exist that the D:hive should know about, understand and possibly partner with?

3. Real Estate Information What residential and/or commercial real estate information is needed for those new to Detroit?

4. Retail Recruitment What essential retail is missing in Detroit?

5. Data Everyone Needs What data exists to assist newcomers to Detroit? What else is needed?

6. Innovator Profiles What other Detroit Innovators should be profiled and connected with?

7. Project Build Classes Please share names/contact info of individuals with project ideas who may need help writing their plan.

8. Grow Roundtables Please share names of existing urban innovators who may be interested in small monthly problem-solving gatherings. What specific topics should be covered/presented to assist existing urban innovators?

9. Job Postings How can more attention be brought to great job opportunities in Detroit?

The D:hive is located inside Inside Detroit, they ask that you come into the space and add your opinions to the boards.  The goal of all these boards is to see what people are talking about.

Jon and I worked Table #1, Welcome to Detroit, and it was amazing to see what people knew about and what they didn’t.  We split our boards into two different sides, one was what resources do people need to get to know the city, and one was what resources already exist to help people out?

The D:hive and Inside Detroit both invite you back into the Welcome Center, located at 1253 Woodward, to continue the conversation.  The reason we want your feedback is so that we can make this the most complete list anyone has ever seen.  We know that when only a few people are heard, voices get left out, and that’s not what we’re looking for, we want to incorporate all of your ideas, thoughts, and hopes.

So stop in, check out the 60+ merchants that are selling things in the Welcome Center.  Then step back into the D:hive and help us make a better Detroit by sharing what you know!

Come and help us fill the boards!

Erika Fulk
Social Media / Marketing for Inside Detroit