Category: Community Resilience

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Motown Masala: Ingenuity and Jugaad in Detroit, a dynamic panel discussion

You’re invited to Motown Masala: Ingenuity and Jugaad in Detroit, a dynamic panel discussion exploring how Detroit’s creative resilience—from DIY urbanism to music, art, and storytelling—shapes sustainable futures.

When: April 9, 2025 | 2:30–3:30 PM ET
Where: Online via Zoom ➔ Join here

Why attend?

  • Hear from urban designers, artists, musicians, writers, and community leaders on how Detroit’s resourcefulness drives innovation.
  • Dive into topics like grassroots problem-solving, cultural exchange, and joy as resistance.
  • Share your own stories of creative reuse and adaptation during audience engagement.

Detroit’s ingenuity thrives in its people. Whether you’ve repaired, repurposed, or reimagined solutions in your neighborhood, your voice matters. Let’s build a future that honors these traditions together.

Save the date and Zoom in! Questions? Reply to this email.

With hope and hustle,
The Motown Masala Organizers

P.S. Forward this to anyone who believes in the power of community creativity. See you there!

This event is open to all. No RSVP needed—click the Zoom link to join. Let’s celebrate Detroit’s genius!

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Motown Masala

“Jugaad in the D—Ingenuity and Resistance in Detroit,” 

An exhibition celebrating the creative spirit of making, modifying, and mending in urban communities.

Curated by Deepa Butoliya and Ulysses Newkirk,

Media and updates hosted on Grape-Vine.io

 

March 28th to May 9th, 2025,

Red Door Digital, 

7500 Oakland Ave,

Detroit, MI 48211.

This exhibition explores the ingenuity of intuitive repair, adaptive design, and community-driven innovation, highlighting the ways Detroit’s material culture reflects resilience and resourcefulness.

We are gathering makers, modifiers, and menders who transform locally available resources into solutions, blending survival with creativity and resistance with joy.

Bubble Day Work Parties start Friday, March 7

Witness the process of making a gallery space from ideation to opening.

Upcoming Events

View Calendar
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Review of Grape-vine.io -2/22

The good news:

  • We were visited by members of the North End’s EII (Equitable Internet Initiative) who came to learn about assembling and deploying the Portable Network Kits
  • Good food was provided by Yum Village and a pizza joint
  • Onyx got the RPI cameras and personal network’s captive portal working
  • Gabby will be curating the next event

The usual news

  • We weren’t prepared to share what we’ve been learning
  • Turnout was low
  • We’ve consistently displayed high expectations and low standards

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🚨 CJ has been found <3🚨

North Enders and Hamtramckans Neighbors – Your Help is Needed!

Detroit Quemasi “Dean” Hickerson is urgently searching for his daughter, Cher’Jon “CJ” Hickerson, age 31, who has serious medical needs and is missing.

🔎 LAST SEEN:
📍 Warren St., walking north on Russell St. 
📆 Saturday, January 27, 2025
⏰ Between 1 PM – 4 PM

👕 WHAT SHE WAS WEARING:
- Burgundy or pink top with white writing
- Gray zip-up hoodie 
- Black leggings
- Black shoes

📹 HOW YOU CAN HELP:

If you live or work in the areas mentioned below, check your security cameras for any sighting of CJ between 1 PM – 4 PM on 1/27/2025. 

- Northbound & Southbound Chrysler Drive (I-75)
- E. Grand Blvd.
- North End & surrounding areas

If you have any footage, information, or have seen CJ, call/email IMMEDIATELY:

Quemasi “Dean” Hickerson: 310-927-4161
Email: [email protected]

🔔 For updates, follow Mr. Hickerson’s Facebook page “Dean Beanz”

📢 Share this alert with staff, North End residents and community leaders. Share on your social media pages!

🚨 Time is critical—let’s come together to bring CJ home safely! 🚨
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Working Parties

Let’s Learn Some Communication Arts, Together

Upcoming Events

View Calendar

Meet the 13 Dummy

Customizable 3D printed action figures.

Learn more

Grape-Vine i/o

Meet the North End’s Communications Team

Grape-Vine i/o

Beginning here, in WordPress.

Behind it, is code. Because Code is still Poetry.

You can type. or…

choose a block

Jason and the story collectors will be recording and transcribing stories from North End neighbors, and learning how to effectively share them on our WordPress site.

Piper, Gabby, and the Communications Team will be assembling and launching portable wifi networks, using portable power packs.

Somebody wonderful will be providing wholesome delicious sounds and snacks.

And someone will be at the gathering or in its video chat, talking about something in the North End you’re interested in.

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