I Am Young Detroit

The city’s “brain drain” is a big issue here in Detroit. In fact it is such a big issue, that some of the biggest names in news have dedicated ongoing special features to report on it. TIME, INC has “The Detroit Blog” where they’ve literally moved into the city to report daily news. CNN has a special “Assignment Detroit” feature in collaboration with TIME, INC. CNN mentions in their “Stopping Detroit’s Brain Drain” story that “young people generally want the same things other people want out of a city - good jobs, safe streets, stuff to do at night, decent schools, quality healthcare, ample parks, easy public transport. Basically, they want a pleasant life.” Yet there are many young Detroiters who are living pleasant, fulfilling lives—we just don’t hear about them in the mainstream media. And if young and aspiring locals are only seeing what’s represented in mainstream, then they aren’t getting the full picture. From mainstream coverage people are led to believe that there are only a handful of brilliant young minds making an impact in the city. These are often well-connected people who are thriving in the professional world, which is great…but our young people need real people like themselves to represent too. They want news that is interesting, inspiring, informative, relevant, and most of all…relate-able.