When thinking back to the five seasons at the Rock Family of Companies and multiple roles and responsibilities, one word remains apparent: opportunity. We, as FOC team members, can literally do anything at this company if you put action behind purpose. As a veteran, I am thankful for the opportunities that the Rock FOC has provided for me. The FOC has 20 interesting sayings, called ISMs, that help guide team members along the way and they are similar to our Army Values. These ISMs are the life force to being a team member, just as our creeds, mottos, and mantras are in the Army. Another ..read more

I fell in love with Detroit in May of 2018. After boarding a shuttle in New Center and heading down Woodward to my office building downtown, I was starstruck by the skyscrapers and the energy I immediately felt surrounding me. It was at that moment, three years ago, that I told myself I was moving to the city. In fact, I was so sure of it, that I had 313, the city’s area code, tattooed to my ankle two months after that. Fast forward to March 2021 and my dreams became a reality. I packed up all my belongings and moved into a 256 sq. ft. studio in the heart of downtown Detroit. As a twenty some ..read more

Photo Credit: Xavier Cuevas These photos are a collection of events that represent Hispanic Heritage through people, artists and work done by the community in Southwest Detroit. It includes murals from a documentary shot in Southwest, a pilot for a short series where the main characters were all people of color from Southwest Detroit, a Chilean artist shooting a music video and headshots that include activist and poet, Reyes, alongside others that represent the Hispanic community out of Southwest Detroit.  The post A blog through photo by Barely Hispanic | National Hispanic Herita ..read more

Well folks, it’s officially fall and this week there’s more to celebrate in Detroit  than crisp mornings and the smell of donuts in the air.  Detroit’s entrepreneurial spirit will be resonating across the entire city as finalists of the 5th annual Rocket Mortgage Detroit Demo Day compete for over $1 Million in funding to winners across four categories: Start, Scale, Pivot, and—new this year—Youth.  This event has become the largest entrepreneurial competition of its kind in the Midwest. Each year, there are hundreds of small business owners, tech savvy go-getters, makers and cre ..read more

It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of the city. In fact, as Detroiters, the act of hustling is pretty much embedded in our DNA.  However, as we continue to grind, it’s important to also make time for self-care. As a self-proclaimed hustler, I’ve found I can work seven days a week for fourteen days straight before I start to feel some burn out. At that point, I know it’s time to take a step back and take a break. With that said, here is a list of my favorite self-care activities in the city. Photo Credit: www.instagram.com/skinbarvii/ Walk the Riverwalk. On a nice day, one of my fa ..read more

Rocket Mortgage Detroit Demo Day announced the 15 finalists competing for a share of more than $1 million in funding in their fifth annual entrepreneurship competition – one of the largest of its kind in the U.S. This years’ experience will provide entrepreneurs with the exclusive support that they need to grow their business, Additionally, every finalist will be awarded a $25,000 grant. This year’s 15 finalists include 12 Black-owned businesses, and more than half of the finalists are woman-owned. 2019 Detroit Demo Day. New this year, the Youth category was created to foster the ambitions ..read more

It’s truly an exciting time here in Detroit so we want to share some of the great things to do in the city. First, we will start with sharing resources that will help you find open businesses around town. We then want to share some of our favorite small businesses in the Central Business District and, finally, provide you with a few things you can do outside! Bedrock’s Open Business Directory Our friends at Bedrock have created something called the Open Business Directory that provides information on restaurants that are open in real time. It also provides information on small businesses in ..read more

Detroit has something for everyone. Nature lovers, technology buffs, and car fanatics alike can all enjoy Detroit. My favorite aspect? The food!  I’ve been a vegetarian for over 5 years and have been taking active steps towards practicing veganism. *Cue gasps*  Yes, I’m a foodie. And yes, I eat plant-based when I’m out. You can do both!  For those who don’t know, a vegan diet means eating anything that’s free of animal products, so no meat, fish, milk, cheese, eggs, or honey. Those who practice a vegan lifestyle also refrain from purchasing things made from wool, leather, and so ..read more

Ahoy! I never would’ve thought that living in Detroit would rekindle my love for life on the water. Between my daily commute on the People Mover, the everyday commotion of downtown and midtown, and biking to explore the uniquely characterized neighborhoods of the city, I almost felt consumed by the urban experience and living on dry land.  After three years of living on the Detroit River (which is so large it’s actually classified as a strait), I’m ecstatic to enjoy all the amenities that come with Michigan summers on our beautiful riverfront. Today I want to share some with you! For tho ..read more

What does it mean to be the “Tech Hub of the Midwest?” Well, to quote a recent video about Detroit’s resurgence, “dream-chasers built Detroit.” The Motor City was built on the backs of innovators who had big ideas and more importantly the will to see them through. Today is no different: Only Detroit-based innovators are now solving for our 21st century needs. Let’s dive into a few tech companies that are changing the game. – Down To Ride – If you own a bicycle in a big city (like Detroit) you are probably familiar with group bike rides; the fun, healthy and safe way to explore your community ..read more