Global Citizen NOW is going on the road.
In what marks the first U.S. edition to be held outside New York, the organization is mounting Global Citizen NOW: Detroit. Presented by real estate firm Bedrock, the summit will take place at Hudson’s Detroit on July 10 and feature leaders from multiple business and cultural sectors discussing the future of cities and urban revitalization.
The list of participants is long and includes the following: artist and activist Wyclef Jean; mogul Mark Cuban; high-profile chef Marcus Samuelsson; Ghana minister of youth development and empowerment George Opare Addo; The Stories of Us CEO and co-founder Ashley Scott Adjaye; NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamazi; the Vistria Group senior partner Margaret Anadu; Michigan’s chief growth officer Hilary Doe; Detroit Pistons president of business operations Melanie Harris; Solid Africa CEO Isabelle Kamariza; artist Tiff Massey; poet, playwright and artist Jessica Care Moore; author, travel expert and cultural ambassador Jessica Nabongo; former Bristol, U.K. mayor Marvin Rees; Delta Sustainable Skies Lab director Sangita Sharma; Motown Museum chairwoman Robin Terry; and artist Tashif “Sheefy McFly” Turner.
Global Citizen NOW: Detroit co-chairs include Bedrock Detroit CEO Kofi Bonner; Forbes chief content officer Randall Lane; Rocket executive vp of product engineering Papanii Okai; onetime Detroit Lion Romeo Okwara; and Detroit City Council president Mary Sheffield. Additional support for the event comes from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Cisco, Delta Air Lines, PayPal and media partner Forbes. The day’s programming will be capped by a live music event at Third Man Records featuring Jean on stage with other surprise special guests.
“As a multi-instrumentalist and doctor of music, the pulse of Detroit is unmatched when it comes to music,” said Jean in a statement. “I’m honored to be back on the Global Citizen NOW stage for the second time this year. This ain’t just about shining a light, it’s about walking hand in hand with each other to get out the dark times. Real issues, real voices, real change. And it starts right here, right now. Let’s go.”
Added Global Citizen co-founder and chief operating officer Simon Moss: “Cities are engines of creativity and innovation that have the potential to drive prosperous futures for all of us. As Detroit boldly invests in its people and their potential, Global Citizen is proud to shine a spotlight on this amazing community of artists, entrepreneurs, and advocates. Detroit is leading the way, inspiring other cities to reimagine sustainable and inclusive development, and Global Citizen NOW: Detroit will explore how thoughtful investment can spur greater economic growth, opportunities for accessible infrastructure, food security, and much more.”
