G-Sync – Cool-laboration Now!

After six days in Detroit recently, I had a chance to make some observations that compare the two largest cities in Michigan.

For starters the fortunes of Detroit and Grand Rapids have been strongly linked to the cycles of the automotive industry.

But each city has recognized this trend and as a result each has begun restructuring its economy to reflect a more progressive view of who we are today.

And while on the surface many would hail our time as the worst of times, I would point the critics to each city's architecture, a fingerprint of development that speaks of our staying power as a people passing through time.

Artistically speaking, each city is beautiful in its own way.  

Grand Rapids may be appear a bit more polished in comparison, but Detroit still has that wonderful "across the ages" architecture that we admire in ourselves.

This diverse mix of the various time periods of growth is what continues to inspire tourists to point a camera skyward to create a memory of our space.

But we are more than just brick and mortar because the people are the city.

One of the hidden joys in this tale of two cities is the people who populate our metro centers.  

Both cites have made huge leaps in not only embracing the creative class but for the first time, this group is finally in a position of power to begin to remake the cities in their image.

And on my last trip to Detroit, the same positive can-do attitude that I see here, I recognize more and more in Detroit as well.

Grand Rapids will never be Detroit, just like a "D" will never be a  "G," but through creative collaboration we will be a force to reckon with in Michigan and our world.

We have devoted much word space here over the past year to the power of collaboration and when this happens, we will once again create a new tale about Michigan to be shared with the ages.  

Together, Grand Rapids and Detroit, you are unstoppable.  Together we are truly cool.

This week I want to dedicate this editorial to the "can-do individuals" of West Michigan and Detroit. You know who you are. (thank you!)

The Future Needs All of Us (to be cool-laborators)

Tommy Allen, Lifestyle Editor
& NWI Best of the Region Award Winner

          

Email:  [email protected]
Twitter Feed: @TommyGSync

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Photo of Tommy Allen at Movement provided by Terry Johnston


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