The Next Generation of Leaders
by Nettie Boivin
March 4th, 2008 in Careers, Creative, Detroit, Newsletter, Talent, The Reinvention Issue
As a recent MSU grad living in Chicago in 2002, I read an article about Detroit’s next generation of leaders. It profiled a handsome young man and other young professionals working to reshape Detroit. At 23, I recall feeling inspired and I was moved to get involved — should my path ever lead me back to Michigan.
Two weeks ago, I read this story from my new home in Royal Oak. This time it was an image of the young and handsome Eddie Lee that jumped out of my laptop, at the helm of the newly organized Detroit Young Professionals.
I attended the group’s Leadership Summit on Feb. 21. The 10-person panel of Detroit visionaries, educators and public figures certainly inspired the sold-out crowd of 200 up and comers. But left to be desired were real suggestions, clear direction and a dialogue between passionate, talented people about how to start making an impact.
Hopefully, with mentorship and lessons learned from past efforts, the DYP will promote real action. The demand for organized efforts for this talent class is evident. In just two months since its launch, DYP already has more than 1,000 members on its Facebook Group.
The talent can be found in clusters around the state. Beyond the list below, there are niche groups of YPs for national associations, nonprofits and arts organizations too. I often wonder how connecting all of us into a statewide organization could impact change at a higher level. Combining this talent into one voice would certainly be an influential sector in shaping the state we choose to live, work and play in.
I’d love to hear your ideas — and let us know about other well-organized groups not mentioned here. We want to hear about what you’re doing!
Young Professional Organizations in Michigan
Grand Rapids
Kalamazoo
Holland
Lansing
Traverse City
Detroit Young Professionals
Fusion Detroit
Detroit Synergy
After a five-year stint in Chicago, Nettie returned to her native Michigan to discover the state's infinite production of creativity. As editor of MiLifeMiTimes.com and Media Mix Director for BrainGain, Nettie spends her time writing about and promoting Michigan's reinvention through its outstanding arts, culture and creative talent.
Comments
Nettie Boivin writes:
March 6th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Eddie - Thanks so much for your note. I didn’t get a chance to meet you at the event - but I’m already a big fan. I am on the Facebook Group and just subscribed to the mailing list.
I’ll be in touch and look forward to helping you and DYPs in any way I can. We’ll talk soon.
Jackie writes:
March 25th, 2008 at 7:51 am
Nettie-
I am so glad to read and hear about DYP and it’s aspirations! Living an hour north of Detroit, in Port Huron, there is a cluster of YP’s here that I often wonder where and how we should connect. A year ago we had a nice size group of 15 or so, called the St. Clair County Emerging Leaders, but when the YP that started the group left for Colorado to pursue a job offer and get married the group fizzled. So, this article is an inspiration to start that up again and connect to the DYP in any ways possible.
Also, I definitely think it should be a priority to find out how connecting all of us would impact change at a higher level. I agree that combining Michigan’s YP talents would be undeniably influential.
Thanks for a great article!
Jackie
Add Your Response
May 16, 2008: Otis Taylor at The Ark
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Eddie Lee writes:
March 4th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Hi Nettie!
Thanks so much for attending our inaugural Detroit Young Professionals Leadership Summit! We were truly blessed and thankful to have so many passionate, optimistic and visionary minds in attendance at our first event.
I’m really glad you found the panel discussion to be inspiring. The main goal of the event was to connect and share empowering ideas and information with our peers about the critical role our generation has in shaping the renaissance of Detroit.
It was definitely a great first step in the right direction because our general meeting the following week was brimming with fresh faces and fresh ideas — and we collectively mapped out almost 2 years worth of action items!
Please let me know if you’re not getting the DYP meeting information successfully. This is where we really make things happen, and I’d like to personally invite you to the next session so you can meet our team and we can tap into your passion for progress — there’s a lot of work to be done.
I look forward to seeing you soon and thanks for the constructive feedback! Please feel free to contact me anytime.
Sincerely,
Eddie Lee
Detroit Young Professionals (DYP)
Connect. Share. Grow.
eddie.lee@detroityoungprofessionals.org
http://www.detroityoungprofessionals.org
Click HERE to join the DYP Facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6515475942
Click HERE to join the DYP mailing list:
http://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=1005971p