Co-Sponsored by the Adam Smith Society's University of Michigan Ross School of Business chapter, this conference is a product of the Detroit Revitalization and Business Initiative (R&B). R&B connects University of Michigan students with Detroit’s evolving business landscape. R&B promotes Detroit’s assets and encourages students to Discover, Engage with and Commit to the revitalization of the Motor City.

Conference Day: Friday, February 3  

Keynote Speaker: Andra Rush Chair and CEO of Rush Trucking Corporation, CEO and president of Dakkota Integrated Systems, and Chair, CEO and President of Detroit Manufacturing Systems,

Workshops, and Panels. Workforce Development – from the lens of a minority owned business, Michelle Sourie Robinson President & CEO of the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and developing successful business relationships between minority business enterprises (MBE) and multinational corporations.

Lunch and Workshop – An interactive workshop on social justice. Lunch catered by SLOWS BBQ.

Education Panel – Innovation, responsibility, and resilience in Detroit Education. A panel discussion in collaboration with Business + Education.

Presentation by Data Driven Detroit – this presentation is designed to showcase research and demonstrate the value for decision makers, researchers, students, and others involved in understanding the different factors at play in Detroit.

Real Estate Panel – A panel discussion on the challenges of achieving equitable development in Detroit as the city revitalizes.

• Peter Allen (Moderator).
• Aaron Renn, The Manhattan Institute
• Sonya Mays, Develop Detroit
• Chris Uhl, Rock Ventures
• Janelle O'keefe