I grew up in Ypsilanti, went East for college/grad school, and was teaching high school in Monterrey, Mexico when I got this job offer. I specifically chose to come to the City of Detroit to work with Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice because I was (and still am) excited about Detroit's opportunity to leapfrog to the forefront as a model sustainable city, but doing so in a way that is inclusive, equitable, healthy, and grows wealth from the inside. Being in Detroit is like being in a constant state of discovery into the past and the future - there is a wealth of both history and innovation. I feel so connected to this city - through the embrace of my neighbors George and May, volunteering with the Mercy Education Project, learning about what it was like to grow up in Detroit in the 80s and 90s from my coworkers, helping out hip hot young food entrepreneurs, advocating for progressive principles through Declare Detroit, meeting die-hard been-through-everything community development warriors through my job, getting reprimanded by the 60s era activists down the block, hearing stories about the rise of New Detroit from a respected mentor, getting to know other Detroiters through the Detroit City Futbol League... I could go on. I love this city - as a planner, as an urbanist, as a do-gooder, as a curious person, as someone who loves interesting stories, different cultures, team sports, creativity, and supporting really cool, inventive ideas.