DETROIT — The sixth annual Ford Men of Courage Detroit Leadership Forum returned to engage and inspire men through panel discussions and storytelling. The six-hour event was held at the Charles H. Wright Museum, Friday.
The forum hosted Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrest, author Jason Wilson, attorney and CNN political commentator Bakari Sellers, and a host of other distinguish men as leaders in their profession and community.
The Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of the automotive company, continues to shine through its Men of Courage program is an initiative that is grassroots and is focused on changing the narrative about African-American men. Launched in Detroit in 2015, MOC has expanded into an essential part of Ford Fund’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The program is designed to build and strengthen communities by advancing the narrative of black men through storytelling, education programs, and forums for community conversations.
Justin Kimpson is the national manager of Ford Motor Company Fund’s Men of Courage program. He also serves as senior director of the Ford Resource & Engagement Center where he oversees operations, program management, partnership development and food mobile distribution. Kimpson brings more than 15 years of diverse experience in the fields of philanthropy, education, and workforce development.
“We’ve traveled the country hosting intergenerational summits where African-American men have vision boards and really plot and strategize on solutions to improve their communities”, said Kimpson. “It’s all about focusing on and shifting that narrative. Too many times you’ve seen the media display negative images of black men. We’re more than just those negative images.”
The forum was an opportunity for young men and veteran men to learn and empower each other and to carry the torch of being change-agents in their fields and community.
“There are a lot of amazing Black men doing great work that are invincible in our community,” said Hajj Flemings, Founder of Rebrand Cities and one of the speakers at the annual forum. “We don’t hear enough about them, there are not enough stories about them, and I think it’s important for this event to not only be about the men who are in the room. This experience needs to be able to expand so we not only encourage and inspire other Black men, but so that those stories are told so the whole world can hear.”
The meeting of men shared messages of hope and never to give up despite people who might attempt to deter your idea, dream, or aspirations. It’s one of the messages Ryan Wilson, CEO & Co-founder of The Gathering Spot, felt compelled to convey to the audience as the event’s keynote speaker.
“Sometimes those ‘no’s’ came from folks that were close to us,” Wilson said. “That’s going to happen for each and every one of us. Sometimes the closet are the people telling us that they don’t see it and it can’t happen. But, we pressed on.”
Ryan and his business partner, TK Petersen, raised private capital from investors to open their first Gathering Spot location in Atlanta in year 2016. According to its website, the private membership club has established itself as a home for creatives, business professionals, and entrepreneurs and regularly hosts notable and culturally impactful events. Ryan recently opened the second Gathering Spot location in Washington D.C. Responsible for the company’s overall management and strategic vision across all holdings, Ryan is leading the club’s physical expansion to Los Angeles and forthcoming markets.
Currently, the Ford Fund’s Men of Courage program is spearing its annual Metro Area Barbershop Challenge. This particular initiative invites barbershop owners to submit innovative community proposals designed to stimulate positive social economic mobility in their community. Three finalists compete over a months-long period by developing community engagement programming for adults and youth.
“Its really monumental for our business as a whole,” said DeWayne Greathouse, owner of Greathouse Barber and Beauty salon, one of the top finalist for the ‘Barbershop Challenge’. “We plan to use the proceeds to conduct several community events that will reach the troubled youth and we’re excited to make our fingerprint on the community in connection to our business.”
This is very exciting,” said Markuan Tigney of Sheaves and Shaves, another finalist in the ‘Barbershop Challenge’. “I’m looking forward to giving back to my community. It’s just a great jumpstart and incentive to get more people involved.
Following the Detroit Leadership Forum, Ford Motor Company unveiled its new “Men of Change” exhibit at the Charles H. Wright Museum.
This exhibition uses bold, contemporary visual art, fresh literary excerpts, and vibrant stories to highlight revolutionary African American men in all aspects of their life and careers.
