For generations of Americans, Detroit was the place where people made things: powerful cars, amazing architecture, beautiful music. But now Detroit is entering a new chapter. After months of often tense and difficult negotiations, Detroit is now formally out of bankruptcy. Millions of dollars of contributions from private foundations and corporations helped the city preserve its acclaimed art collection. A new generation of artists and entrepreneurs, doers and makers is calling Detroit home. So we'd like to ask, what's next? What will drive Detroit's future now? Will it be art, industry, technology — even agriculture?
Tonight, in collaboration with member station WDET, I will be in Detroit to hear and share stories about the past, present and future of Detroit with a particular focus on the creative forces that are fueling Detroit's economy. We will ask if there are lessons the city's past and present might offer other cities as they try to entice new residents and create a brighter future for the people who live there now.
You can listen to our live audio stream and join us on Twitter and Facebook using #MotorCityDrive. We will be inviting guests to add their voices during a live Twitter chat. You can join on Thursday, May 21st at 7 p.m. ET, using #MotorCityDrive.
Joining us on Twitter are:
Margarita Barry @IAmYoungAmerica, founder and publisher, I Am Young America
Matt Chung @mattChung, artist, educator, communicator at @WeKnowDetroit
Hajj Flemings @HajjFlemings, Detroit entrepreneur
Angela Flournoy @AngelaFlournoy, author, The Turner House
Don Gonyea @DonGonyea, NPR correspondent, formerly Detroit bureau
Ingrid Lafleur @Ingridlafleur, art lover, Wanderlust Art tours
Mike Moceri @mocerimike CEO of Manulith, a 3D printing and design company
Jerome Vaughn @JVdet, @WDET news director
#motorcitydrive Tweets
NPR's Davar Ardalan and Frederica Boswell will moderate from the live event using @NPRMichel.
Detroit