Bill Ford’s Post

Ford has done a phenomenal job bringing the old Michigan Central Station back to life with a massive capital investment in the community. Detroit’s turnaround still has a long road ahead but the investment in the heart of the city by key corporations (and key families) have supported this turn in what continues to be a positive direction. We can’t forget another key part of this turnaround has been driven by individual investors, a lesson in economics - one I fear will be missed through the reemergence of Detroit as a player once again in this country. Long before a few large corporations started pumping money into the greater infrastructure, a resurgence was happening on a smaller, but perhaps, more impactful scale. Young entrepreneurs, artists, and investors were changing the landscape of the city for years ahead of the curve. These individuals were buying houses and rehabbing them one brick at a time. Many young and ubertalented chefs bought old buildings and started restaurants. People started visiting the city once again to see cutting edge art in less then perfect gallery spaces established by artist collectives where studio space were obtainable/affordale. They came to eat in restaurants so good Detroit would eventually start buzzing in The New York Times. This happened because people had a fighting chance at success with affordable housing and rent prices. A beautiful transformation has happened in small pockets all over the city and as the turnaround continues history would foreshadow those who invested early or were here all along, will be pushed out as pricing continues to climb. Detroit is a small window on what we’ve all but lost in so many other parts of the state and country: “The American Dream.” Both scenarios need to happen for Detroit to be successful. We need Ford Motor Comapny, The Gilbert Family and all the other investors with deep pockets. We also need places in this country where our kids can create meaningful lives for themselves. Where individuals can start their own version of the American Dream because doing so is affordable. As a society we need to place value of the opportunities afforded by places like Detroit so we don’t homogenize every corner of America and call that success. We need to support the sums of individuals who never left Detroit and neighborhoods still on the brink of survival. It’s a puzzle that I hope continues to take shape and it’s imperative not walk away from the racial disparity that continues to exist in Detroit. We can recognize both things: there is beauty that eventually arose from the ashes and we must not walk away from the responsibility of our history. I don’t know what the answer is to all of the looming questions surrounding the direction of the city but I do know those fortunate enough to live in this beautiful area are all responsible for continuing to take part in the direction of rebuilding process.

In the spirit of Henry Ford's timeless insight, it’s crucial to remember the power of collaboration in achieving success. The journey from coming together to staying united, and then working in unison, marks the true path to collective achievements. Embracing this philosophy within our teams and partnerships can transform challenges into victories and aspirations into realities. Here's to fostering teamwork that leads to enduring success in all our endeavors. Much Love and Cheers. Pictured here (left to right): Michelle Badolato, Chelsea Brooks, Jolynn Ifft, Amanda Meyer, me and Dustin Robbins. #ModernWoodmenTeam #Impact #CareersInFinance #CommunityService #TeamBuilding #PositiveImpact Your Central Indiana Team: Michelle Badolato, Dustin Robbins, Nicholas Bennett, Amanda Meyer, Collin Bopp, Lucas Hill, CFP®, Chelsea Brooks and Rebecca Boyd.

As we say at Ford, be curious! As we celebrate Black History Month, everyone knows Detroit has a rich heritage of Black prosperity being the home to the auto industry. Did you know that years ago, segregation forced Blacks to certain parts of the city (Paradise Valley the Black business district, and Black Bottom, called this by the early French settlers, due to the rich black farming soil)? Both communities were downtown close to the Detroit River, generational wealth was created and these neighborhoods thrived. The national highway system I-375, displaced these types of neighborhoods in Detroit and other cities, erasing Black generational wealth for so many. Though still in the planning stages to help right some past wrongs, let's look at what the city and the state are doing to acknowledge this and work to drive inclusion in this new downtown development district being built where these neighborhoods once were. Go Positively Speaking Up, Go Standing on the Shoulders of Giants, Go Always Deliver, Go Outpace the Competition, Go, Ford, Go Engineering, Go EV Revolution, Go Customer Experience, Go Design and Software Teams, Go UAW, Go Strategy Team, Go Auto, Go All Industries! #innovationliveshere #aheadofthecurve #diversityandinclusion #careabouteachother #opportunities #strategy #manufacturing #EVs #Blueovalcity #professionalism #deliver #innovationneversleeps #changingthegame #relentleespursuitofperfection #newageautomotivehistory

In the attached amazing MLK speech he tells junior high students how to build a blueprint for their lives. What from his blueprint for life can we in CRE take and apply to our industry? He ask his audience to reject "burn baby burn" and instead to "build baby build" So what are we in CRE doing to achieve the excellence MLK calls for in this speech?  Are we being the best at what we do no matter what it is? Are we building better apartments, office buildings, shopping centers, and warehouses? Are we bringing beauty, love, and justice into our communities through the built environment?  https://lnkd.in/gf8qKNEc