GLOBAL CITIZEN NOW: DETROIT
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BCOMM partnered with Bedrock, Detroit’s leading real estate developer and Global Citizen to host the city’s first-ever
Global Citizen NOW: Detroit thought leadership summit.
Also in partnership with Goodera, Make Food Not Waste, and the Urban Neighborhood Initiative, we joined a week of powerful community activations and culture-shifting conversations.
Restoring Green Spaces, Building Community
To kick off an exciting week of events and activities in Detroit, we joined Goodera, a global platform that enables employee volunteering and social impact experiences, and Urban Neighborhood Initiative, a nonprofit committed to fostering thriving, sustainable communities in Southwest Detroit, for a community restoration day at Gonzalez-Garcia Family Park.
The day focused on revitalizing the space through seedball making, weeding, and clean-up efforts.
Gonzalez-Garcia Family Park
Feeding Communities, Fueling Conversations
The following day, we turned our attention to food justice through a hands-on food prep session led by
Make Food Not Waste, an organization focused on reducing food waste and increasing food access across Detroit. Together, we prepped fresh brussels sprouts for community distribution, highlighting the organization’s focus on providing prepared meals, not just ingredients.
Building Bridges in the Heart of Detroit
We continued the conversation on global impact and community leadership at the Young Global Council mixer, hosted at the Shinola Hotel, one of Bedrock’s signature properties. The energy in the room reflected Detroit’s growing role as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and bold ideas, as guests connected, shared takeaways from the week’s community events, and enjoyed music from a local Detroit DJ.
Meanwhile, we also gathered at The Aladdin Sane alongside members of the Co-Chair Committee, panelists, and key stakeholders for an evening of dialogue ahead of the conference.
Where Ideas Meet Action: GC NOW Detroit
The week culminated in the Global Citizen NOW: Detroit summit, held at the new Hudson’s Detroit. The event brought together leaders from business, government, media, philanthropy, nonprofits, and culture to explore what it takes to build inclusive, sustainable cities. With a focus on economic equity, talent development, climate resilience, and community impact, the event sparked bold dialogue and collective action on some of the most pressing urban challenges of our time.
Speakers included changemakers, business and philanthropic leaders, artists, and advocates such as Wyclef Jean, Performing Artist, Composer, Activist; Mark Cuban, Serial Entrepreneur and Co-Founder, Cost Plus Drugs; and Marcus Samuelsson, Award-Winning Chef, Restaurateur, Author, Activist, Kofi Bonner, CEO of Bedrock, Clare Akamazi, CEO, NBA Africa; Margaret Anadu, Senior Partner, The Vistria Group; Tiff Massey, Interdisciplinary Artist; George Opare Addo, Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, Ghana; Marvin Rees, Former Mayor, Bristol (UK); and Sangita Sharma, Director of the Delta Sustainable Skies Lab and more. The summit centered Detroit youth, business leaders, and innovators shaping the future of cities and beyond.
Global Citizen NOW: Detroit wasn’t just a summit, it was a catalyst for real action.
From the launch of the Small Business Impact Awards to Mona’s $1M capital initiative for small businesses and Velvet Peanut Butter’s return to Detroit, the week was filled with commitments to economic equity and community growth. With the “AI for All” initiative and the expansion of Strong Youth, Strong Community, Global Citizen continues to turn big ideas into lasting impact.
Detroit, What Up Doe?
Art, Energy, and the Voices That Moved Us
GC NOW Detroit closed on a high note with a powerful performance by DrumKingz, whose energy filled the Hudsons with rhythm, pride, and hometown soul.
We wrapped the experience with a celebratory night of music at Third Man Records featuring harpist Ahya Simone, Detroit local rapper Courtney Bell, and the legendary Wyclef Jean.
Art took center stage throughout the conference, bringing Detroit’s spirit to life in bold, creative ways. Renowned local artist Sheefy McFly painted live on stage, crafting a vibrant street art tribute to the city that remained on display for the duration of the summit. Meanwhile, a live illustrator Jai Ollennu (@jaisketchguy) captured the energy and emotion of each moment in real time—translating powerful conversations into dynamic visual storytelling. His artistry added a layer of depth and color to a week already pulsing with purpose.
GC NOW: Detroit was more than a summit—it was the continuation of a movement grounded in community. BCOMM was proud to support this powerful collaboration between local leaders and global changemakers, working alongside Bedrock, Global Citizen, and partners from across the city of Detroit to drive connection, equity, and collective impact. As Detroit continues to shape its future, this week proved that real change happens when ideas turn into action and when communities lead the way.
