People
The Spirit of Detroit is more than a big green statue — it’s a growing optimism about the future of Detroit and its suburbs. We talked to people who recognize the challenges facing the region, but were willing to roll up their sleeves and help make good things happen. Here’s what they have to say:
Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager, Robert Bobb, arrived in Detroit two years ago like a lion on the prowl. His loud roar demanding change to a broken Detroit Public School system plagued by corruption and scandal has been met with praise and skepticism. Recently he sat down with Carolyn Clifford for a look back.
As his tenure as Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager appears to be ending, Robert Bobb sat down with Carolyn Clifford for an in-depth one-on-one interview. Bobb talked about corruption, money problems and teacher seniority in Detroit Public schools. On a personal note, he told Carolyn Clifford what it was like to have people boo him. He also laid out plans for his future and shared his impressions of Detroit.
Compuware was moving into Detroit at a time when a lot of people and businesses were moving out. What did owner Peter Karmanos, Jr. know that everybody else didn’t? Stephen Clark got the chance to ask him in an exclusive rare interview.
Peter Karmanos, Jr., the Chairman and CEO of Compuware, sat down for a one-on-one interview with Stephen Clark. He talks about how Compuware evolved and Detroit’s past, present and future. Peter Karmanos has a blog called “Karmanos Unplugged” – http://www.karmanosunplugged.com
Hamtramck is the most internationally diverse city in Michigan. In just over two square miles, you can hear at least 26 different languages along with vibrant diversity of food, fashion, and foreign tradition. And at the corner of Caniff and Lumpkin, Desi Pizza offers a menu as diverse as the community. The owner, 30 year old Kazi Miah, says the… Read more »
Antoine Dubeauclard is president of media genesis– a Troy-based web design and development company. Many would say he is living the American dream. But Antoine was born in Canada, and raised in France. He told us, “By the time I was 12 or 13 my parents decided to move to this country for the same reasons we’re here today, which… Read more »
After the riots in Detroit, many people fled the city and made the suburbs their home. Now a new generation of young urban professionals, who happen to be of the Jewish faith, are peeling away those old stereotypes in an attempt to change the face and the image of the motor city. An historic four-story building is home to the… Read more »
When the economy is down, there is unrest in the world, or even when our Lions are losing miserably, it seems a lot of people call on a higher power for help. It used to be no matter what your faith or religion, church was a place to go on Sunday or Saturday for worship services. But today church has… Read more »
Harman Corp has been in the family that bears its name for three generations, churning out plastic parts just outside downtown Rochester. It’s the kind of specialized manufacturing metro Detroit built its economy upon years ago. But above that manufacturing space sits Brand Labs, a rapidly growing e-commerce company. Together the two businesses form a combination of old and new… Read more »
