ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Driving Detroit's Transformation Through Servant Leadership and Community-First Governance
In this episode, we sit down with Malia Howard, Deputy Mayor of Detroit, to discuss how her "neighborhood busybody" approach to governance has been instrumental in Detroit's incredible 10-year turnaround. With six years at the heart of the city's transformation, Malia embodies servant leadership through direct community engagement and a commitment to immediate action that addresses residents' real needs. Her powerful example of how a single phone call led to helping 40 families on one block demonstrates her dedication to making tangible differences in people's lives.
Malia shares how the city administration actively listens to residents and implements initiatives based on community feedback, challenging common perceptions of top-down policymaking. From accepting cryptocurrency for property tax payments to providing free will and trust guidance, these innovations came directly from resident requests, proving her philosophy that "we actually do what you ask us to do." Her approach includes the "listening, not looking" method when residents visit her office, ensuring every voice is heard and valued in the decision-making process.
Looking ahead, Malia is spearheading the exciting University of Michigan Center for Innovation (UMCI) project, which will bring the university's engineering, AI, mobility, sustainability, and architecture schools to downtown Detroit. Building on the success of "Saturdays in the D"—which served as a proof of concept for integrating university resources with local community programming—this initiative represents the next evolution of innovative partnerships driving Detroit's renaissance. For Malia, servant leadership isn't just a job title; it's a lifestyle that shapes her parenting, community engagement, and personal values.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- How Malia's "neighborhood busybody" approach creates immediate, tangible results for Detroit residents
- The story behind initiatives like cryptocurrency tax payments and free legal guidance that came directly from community requests
- Why the University of Michigan Center for Innovation represents a game-changing partnership for downtown Detroit
- How "Saturdays in the D" served as a successful test model for bringing university resources to the community
- Malia's "listening, not looking" philosophy and how it transforms resident interactions with city government
- The transparent decision-making process that incorporates resident feedback into policy implementation
- How servant leadership as a lifestyle drives sustainable community transformation beyond political cycles
Learn how community-first governance and innovative partnerships are creating lasting change in Detroit's transformation. Tune in now!
RESOURCES
- Office of the Deputy Mayor, City of Detroit
- University of Michigan Center for Innovation (UMCI)
- Saturdays in the D Program
