Meet Tre Jordan – GRDC Intern and Soon to be Master of Social Work

For 16 hours each week, Tre Jordan assists Kitty Yarbrough, GRDC’s Community Engagement Manager, with the Community Safety Program initiatives, the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market, and often helps out wherever needed. Tre reaches out to Grandmont Rosedale residents and business owners to collect their input on community events, and asks for their help with events.…

Kiki Louya – Meet GRDC’s Economic Development Manager

Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation’s new Economic Development Manager is Kiki Louya—a chef and restauranteur who grew up in our very own Rosedale Park. From her beginnings in Rosedale Park (which she aptly describes as a “village”), Kiki’s ambition, skills, and knowledge have propelled her to non-profit organizations in New York, world-class kitchens in Chicago and,…

Ariya’s Apparel and Accessories: Moving Forward after the Pop-up Store

The ethos of Ariya’s Apparel and Accessories can be summed up as stylish, modern, and modest. Owner Akeya Muhammad infused these qualities into her pop-up store in the Grand River WorkPlace, which she ran from April-September 2019. Music flowed from a portable speaker, clothes and handbags were carefully arranged on racks and shelves, and a…

Talking with Neighbor to Neighbor Canvasser and Grandmont Rosedale Resident Deborah LaViolette

Years ago, Deborah LaViolette’s family was grateful for the Property Tax Exemption Program as it enabled her mother to remain in her home. This past summer, Deborah (on the far right in the photo), was a member of a Neighbor to Neighbor team that went door to door in several communities in and near Grandmont…

Meet the New Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market Manager Elyse Wolf

Returning visitors and vendors at the Northwest Detroit Famers’ Market have seen a new face helping run the show this year, Market Manager Elyse Wolf. From small details like choosing the music playlist to helping customers and vendors with any issues, Elyse has been an important part of this season’s Market. Elyse, a West Bloomfield…

A Conversation with John O’Brien, GRDC’s Founding Executive Director

In 1989 John O’Brien was the first and only employee of Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation. John’s basement office at Mercy College was just big enough to hold a desk with a telephone, and a chair. As John remembers, “it did have a window well, and it was free.” From that basement office, GRDC began its…

Produce Vendors Speak on the Benefits of Shopping at Farmers’ Markets

With access to produce in every grocery store, it is important not to overlook the many benefits of shopping at a farmers’ market. Fresh Produce The produce at a farmers’ market is not quite the same as what is found at the grocery store. Longtime Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market vendor Norris Stephens from Good Medicine…

Meet a New Market Vendor: Evan Neubacher of Central Detroit Christian Community Development

It is Evan Neubacher’s first year at the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market. Although it’s still the beginning of the market season, Evan already has loyal customers. At just the third market of the season, Evan chatted with a returning customer and even remembered that his customer’s wife was out of town visiting their grandchildren. Of…