It’s clear that the world once again sees Detroit as a city with global significance. That fact is underscored by the countless number of events, conferences, and forums the city hosts each year that bring people and eyes to the Motor City.
Up next, Detroit will play host to an extraordinary gathering of cultural icons, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and activists for the inaugural Global Citizen NOW: Detroit summit this July 10. For the first time, Global Citizen is bringing its high-profile action summit—typically held in New York City—to a new U.S. location. The event will spotlight the Motor City as a thriving hub of innovation, resilience, and urban revitalization, drawing attention to the powerful role cities play in shaping inclusive, sustainable futures.
The summit, scheduled to take place at Hudson’s Detroit and presented by Bedrock, will feature an impressive lineup of global leaders and visionaries. Among them are Grammy-winning artist and activist Wyclef Jean, entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban, and award-winning chef and humanitarian Marcus Samuelsson. Together, they’ll join forces with local leaders, students, artists, and advocates to tackle one of the defining challenges of our era: how to build equitable and future-forward cities by investing in people, especially young adults.
Wyclef Jean, known as much for his activism as for his musical genius, spoke passionately about the event’s Detroit debut. “As a multi-instrumentalist and Doctor of Music, the pulse of Detroit is unmatched when it comes to music,” he said. “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.”
The summit’s agenda reflects a wide-ranging focus—from health-centered development to sustainable infrastructure, from food access to youth empowerment. These conversations will be driven by a diverse cohort of leaders from multiple sectors. Attendees include Clare Akamazi, CEO of NBA Africa; Margaret Anadu, Senior Partner at The Vistria Group; Ghana’s Minister of Youth Development George Opare Addo; Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield; and interdisciplinary Detroit-based artist Tiff Massey.
This Detroit edition builds on the momentum of previous summits held in cities such as Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, and Paris, with upcoming stops in Seville, Belém, and Johannesburg planned later this year. But there’s a reason why Detroit was chosen as the summit’s first U.S. destination outside of New York. According to Simon Moss, Global Citizen’s Co-Founder and COO, “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.”
Indeed, Detroit’s transformation from industrial powerhouse to innovation epicenter is already well underway. Kofi Bonner, CEO of Bedrock and a co-chair of the summit, believes the city represents a dynamic model for urban rebirth. “The momentum building in Detroit is a powerful testament to the dedicated individuals driving its transformation,” Bonner said. “Global Citizen NOW: Detroit will provide a crucial platform for fostering global dialogue rooted in collaboration, creativity, and community-driven progress.”
But the summit is far more than a single day of speeches and networking. Global Citizen NOW: Detroit is the centerpiece of a three-day series of community-focused activations. The festivities kick off July 8 with a city-wide Volunteer Day at UNI Park, powered by Urban Neighborhood Initiatives and Goodera. Volunteers—ranging from Detroit residents and grassroots organizers to international visitors—will participate in hands-on projects focused on sustainability, food justice, youth leadership, and neighborhood resilience. That same evening, a free block party will serve as a joyful celebration of community, complete with surprise performances, DJ sets, and pizza for all.
The arts, which have always been central to Detroit’s identity, will also play a major role in the summit’s programming. At the heart of the cultural offerings is a powerful new installation from Global Citizen’s Young Artist Collective: Reimagining Green Neighborhoods & Shared Urban Spaces. Created in collaboration with students from the University of Michigan, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Lawrence Technological University, the University of Detroit Mercy, and the College for Creative Studies, the exhibition will feature technical drawings, 3D renderings, and models envisioning sustainable urban solutions tailored to Detroit’s unique landscape. Supported by Pentel of America, the student-led effort is both a creative exploration and a call to action—encouraging all stakeholders to imagine a more inclusive, ecologically sound city.
The closing celebration on July 10 will be a high-energy live music event at Third Man Records, headlined by Wyclef Jean and special musical guests. It’s a fitting finale that honors Detroit’s globally revered musical heritage and its power to inspire change across generations and borders.
In many ways, Detroit is not just the host of this summit—it is the embodiment of its goals. Long known as the cradle of American innovation, from Motown to motor vehicles, Detroit has undergone a remarkable cultural and economic revival in recent years. Yet challenges remain, especially in the areas of economic equity, public health, and housing access. That’s why this summit, and the conversations it fosters, matter.
The people of Detroit have a long history of resilience and creativity, and Global Citizen NOW: Detroit is amplifying those qualities on an international stage. Attendees won’t just be hearing about solutions—they’ll be part of building them. The summit’s collaborative format is designed to drive action and accountability, connecting decision-makers with local communities and ensuring that new policies and investments are grounded in real-world needs.
For the city’s young leaders in particular, the summit offers a rare opportunity to directly engage with global changemakers. Figures like Jessica Nabongo, a Detroit native and renowned global travel expert, and jessica Care moore, the city’s Poet Laureate and founder of Black Women Rock, will ensure that the voices of Detroit’s youth and artists remain central to the conversation. It’s this focus on inclusion, creativity, and bottom-up change that distinguishes Global Citizen NOW: Detroit from other leadership forums.
As the world looks to cities to lead the charge against climate change, inequality, and economic instability, Detroit is rising to the occasion. Global Citizen NOW: Detroit will not only celebrate the city’s many strengths but also serve as a catalyst for deeper investment, community empowerment, and shared innovation.
Tickets and further details about the summit are available at globalcitizen.org/now/detroit.
