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The Resilient Heart of Detroit's Neighborhoods with Tammara Howard, Chandra McMillion and Quincy Jones

Authentically Detroit

Authentically Detroit
The Resilient Heart of Detroit's Neighborhoods with Tammara Howard, Chandra McMillion and Quincy Jones
Aug 27, 2025
Donna & Orlando

This week, Donna sat down with the Founder and Executive Director of What About Us Inc., Tammara Howard, and two of the leaders behind Detroit's Inaugural CDO Expo, Chandra McMillion and Quincy Jones. 

Tammara Howard, founder of What About Us Inc., has had a 55-year journey on Belvidere Street, where she's created a grassroots organization serving Detroit's Gratiot Woods neighborhood. From a youth block club started in 1999 to today's five community spaces including a resilience hub, Howard demonstrates how resident leadership creates lasting change.

Quincy Jones and Chandra McMillion are two of the leaders behind Detroit's CDO Expo, which brought together 37 community development organizations to showcase their collective impact. Held at New Lab in Michigan Central Station, the event highlighted the professional, data-driven work these organizations are doing across Detroit.

The conversation reveals how these grassroots leaders are reclaiming Detroit's narrative by proving neighborhoods can be revitalized without displacing residents. Their work represents a powerful counterpoint to the notion that people must leave Detroit to find a better quality of life.

If you want to support What About Us Inc., contact 313-918-9604 or send donations to the cash app $1234WhatAboutUsInc.


Detroit By The Numbers With Alex B. Hill:

  1. 90% OF DETROIT POLLING PLACES HAVE ACCESSIBILITY CHALLENGES 
  2. $144 MILLION INVESTED IN BELLE ISLE SINCE 2014 
  3. 96 EVENTS FOR DETROIT MONTH OF DESIGN IN SEPTEMBER 
  4. $2 MILLION SPENT BY MAYORAL CANDIDATES IN THE PRIMARY 

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