Frank Raben is one of the longest serving members of GRDC’s board of directors, which is kind of surprising considering that his early plans included working on his uncle’s ranch in Nebraska. Frank worked at the ranch for just one month putting in the spring crops before his future began to take its unexpected turn.…
Years ago, when Asia Hamilton was in high school, she wanted to take a cosmetology class, but the class was full. She was disappointed and so, with little enthusiasm and the thought that the class would be easy, Asia reluctantly signed up for commercial photography. Once the class was over Asia knew what she wanted…
Sean VandenBrink and Dexter the cat, a Glastonbury Collective resident. In 2011, Sean VandenBrink was looking for a place to create a community of artists – a place where artists would have the space and equipment to pursue their artistic goals without the anxiety of meeting a high rent. GRDC had recently acquired a…
Joél Reyes-Klann, GRDC’s intern from the University of Michigan, is no stranger to community engagement. Since last June, Joél has spent much of his time assisting GRDC’s Community Engagement Manager Kitty Yarbrough with Vacant Property Task Force meetings, and soon he will also help out with this year’s Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market season. Joél, a…
Yoga didn’t do much for Kerrie Trahan back in 2005 when she tried her first yoga class. She sort of stumbled upon the class as she was checking out what was offered at the Boll Family YMCA downtown. Her dad had signed the whole family up at the Y because, as Kerrie remembers, “he thought…
As many people know, a well-organized, knowledgeable Administrative Assistant is vital to a well-run organization. Lucky for GRDC, we have Jocelyn Moss. A Detroiter for the last 20 years, Jocelyn comes to GRDC with experience as the Administrative Assistant for a day care and several churches. As Jocelyn says, she “helps organizations stay organized, so…
Richard Berlin, a founding member of GRDC, is stepping down after decades of service to the Grandmont Rosedale communities. Richard began his community activism in Grandmont Rosedale when he moved in to Grandmont in 1975. Richard’s first involvement in the neighborhood was as a block captain. Over the years Richard served on the Grandmont Community…
For those who know Chelsea Neblett, GRDC’s Community Engagement Manager for the past four years, it will come as no surprise that when she ran for class president in the 5th grade, complete with a campaign manager and a catchy slogan (“Be a Smartie! Vote for Chelsea!”), she won. Even as an 11 year old,…
If your business is in need of a marketing boost, you might want to talk with April Smiley. Whether your intention is to promote, educate, or entertain, April can create an effective visual representation of what your business has to offer. April has a versatile skill set: she is an experienced film maker, editor, writer,…
Home values are rising in the Grandmont Rosedale area, boosted by GRDC’s home renovation program. Interest from home buyers is higher than it has been in years, pushing values up more than 25% in the last year alone. “Our renovation projects have played a significant role in the market turn-around,” said GRDC Executive Director Tom…