Next American City, a non-profit publication that connects cities and the people who work hard to improve their city, has come out with their annual list of 40-under-40 class of urban leaders. Detroit was well represented with three people making the cut: Robbie Linn, Emily Doerr and Michael Brady.
Robbie Linn is an urban planner and data analyst at Data Driven Detroit where he put out a map addressing the food desert issue and showing that Detroit actually has 115 grocery stores. That map can be found here. Linn is also part owner of the Canfield Social Yard, a vacant lot on the west side of Woodbridge. He and the other owner, brother Andy, hope to turn it into a public space with a stage for performances and screenings.
Emily Doerr is the founder of Hostel Detroit in Corktown. The hostel gives tourists a cheap and different place to stay while visiting Detroit. She volunteers at several Detroit organizations and works as the Manager of Small Business Programs at the Detroit Regional Chamber.
Michael Brady works for the Center for Community Progress as Vice President of Policy. In the past he’s worked with community groups and governments on mortgage and tax foreclosures, dangerous building demolitions and other pressing issues. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Mercy Volunteer Corps.
There were over 200 applications for the 43 spots on the list. According to the website, they selected people on the basis that their “bright ideas for cities, experience in the field and ambition for the future all show great promise. Now that they’ve been chosen, the three Detroiters get to join the rest of the urban leaders, including past members, in St. Louis in October for workshops, tours, and panels on how to improve American cities.
Source: Next American City
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