by: Anya Parampil

Writer, All About Business

“Detroit is a city to be reckoned with!” asserted Ryan Mack, President and founder of Optimum Capital Management and AAB itself. Speaking to a group of foster children who had aged out of the system in his hometown, Mack declared that his reasons for organizing The Detroit “Solutions” Economic Empowerment Tour were of all things “selfish” simply because “your success and my success are linked.”

Working with Andrew Morrison, President of Small Business Camp, and many movers and shakers of the Detroit area including Aremanda Mason, CEO of Stellar Business Solutionsand Khadija Walker-Fobbs of Fobbs & Walker Consulting, Mack managed to arrange a week of networking opportunities, panel discussions with local professionals, seminars, and teach-ins in every venue from schools to prison.

What it took was a whole lot of passion and time from a small group of professionals who care deeply for the city; a city we are all aware hasn’t occupied national headlines on the most glamorous of grounds lately. What it didn’t take was a dime of funding.

Morrison pointed out to the same group Mack addressed congregated at Wayne State Community College, “It’s important to separate the truths [about Detroit] and the facts. The fact is high unemployment, high crime. The truth is that you are not who they say you are.” The week aimed at empowering the community –particularly the youth- to take charge and rebuild their city that has been sacked by numbers, headlines, and a loss of that once fierce fervor. It was time to reignite.

18-year-old Jenessa, who attended the interactive seminaron Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship, underscored theweeks success. She explained to me that she always had an idea of what she wanted to study beyond high school, but noticed that each speaker (the seminar was highlighted by Mack, Morrison, and an impressive panel of professionals) did not go into professions looking for success, but looking to fulfill their passions. “This program really helped me because I saw I want to go into something I can be hands-on in, something I’m passionate about.” She told me that while she had always thought she wanted to go into accounting, she had started helping out at a local office and found that while it may have one day made her successful, it was not a career she could see herself enjoying. “They gave me some books to read on it,” she told me. When I asked if she had read them she just smiled. “They were boring…but we’ve started working with graphic design in school, and I see that is something I really enjoy.” What Janessa- and many other attendees I chatted with- took away from the round table was that as opposed to following a career path guaranteed to lead to success; one should make goals for themselves that fall in line with their zeal and walk those paths- the success will come.

Another success story came in the form of Chelsea, who attended the seminar after the mental hospital she had been working at closed the previous Friday. One of the panelists happened to be right up there in her field: Shawn Levitt, the Chief Operating Officer of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan.Chelsea approached Levitt, and after explaining her situation was told someone from the hospital would call her the following day. “I feel like it’s gods will I was laid-off and then came here!” she elucidated.

The week was not just about motivating the youth nor fantastic networking, but it also focused on teaching Financial Literacy. Financial Literacy is imperative because, for Mack “the more money I make, the more people I can help”. Mack used his background to offer the youth financial advice, including his 7-Steps to Improving your Credit Score. He also provided stunning facts on the city, for example that as of now 93% of moneyearned by Detroit residents is spent. As for America as a whole, he cited that 60% of Americans spend more then they earn, but added that “poverty is not a physical state, it’s a mental state,” . Morrison talked about entrepreneurship, encouraging kids to get out of their comfort zone to get to where you want to be. You can say a prayer, take charge of your education, or use what he witnessed as Oprahs secret to success- simply tell yourself “Yes, yes, yes!”. “It’s time to get your emotions in motion,” Morrison remarked. A message he made sure to get across was that anytime anyone ever says no to you, the next thing you should say to them is “what do you need to see in order to say yes?”  An attendee, Deborah Wilson, 16, told me afterwards that she took away a solid “set of strategies” she would use to move forward financially and emotionally.

Working under the mantra Mack described as “do not withhold from those who deserve it if you have the power,” he, Morrison, and the professionals of Detroit put together one productive, empowering week that will surely have a lasting effect on the youth who attended, and alas, the city as a whole. “The week was a great success and the youth were amazing to work with and laugh with. Thanks to everyone who came together to make it all happen” said organizer Khadija Walker-Fobbs. Let’s hope this is only the beginning of good things coming to Motor City.

Anya Parampil is wrapping up her freshmen year at Greenhills High School in Michigan. When she’s not doing homework she can be found reading about the Middle East, writing, watching the news, acting in school plays, and participating on the public speaking team. If you have any questions or comments, email her at anyaparampil@gmail.com.