Regional Cooperation
Millennial Mayors Congress
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The Millennial Mayors Congress is a partnership of experienced and emerging civic leaders working together to address challenges facing the Detroit region. Participating communities are represented by a city official, such as the mayor, and a resident “Millennial,” or young leader aged approximately 18-35. These representatives work together to develop action-oriented protocols on economic, social or environmental issues of regional significance. After adopting a protocol by consensus decision, city representatives will take the protocols to their city council and administration for locally-customized implementation. Millennial representatives will work in the community to build awareness and support.
Two increasingly apparent determinants of regional prosperity are a metropolitan area’s ability to cooperatively address challenges and concentrate talent-class workers. Southeast Michigan is struggling to do both. A lack of viable mass transit, excessive barriers to urban redevelopment and a lingering rust-belt image are just a handful of issues that discourage investment from companies and mobile workers who have their choice of many metropolitan areas to call home.
By empowering metropolitan Detroit’s future leaders to shape the agenda for growth in metro Detroit, the Millennial Mayors Congress will facilitate the creation of the places and opportunities that drive “new economy” development. Additionally, it will provide a stimulus for innovation in local policies and seasoned leaders, whose experience will reciprocally benefit their younger counterparts. Equally important, the Congress will help metropolitan Detroit overcome its generations-long tradition of insularity and fragmentation, while giving leaders a tool to address greater-than-local concerns.
The Elusive “Millennials”
Definitions vary greatly, but “Millennials” are generally acknowledged as people born between 1978 and 1993. More importantly, their values and preferences—e.g. “green” lifestyles, walkable communities, local businesses, cultural diversity and social tolerance—tend to support urban vibrancy.
Got questions about the Millennial Mayors Congress? Contact Special Project Director Sharon Carney at Sharon@suburbsalliance.org
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The Beginning
The Millennial Mayors Congress launched its first year of pragmatic and visionary change in June 2009. As Mayor Suzanne Pixley (Eastpointe), chair of the new Millennial Mayors Congress executive committee, put it:
"I'm thrilled to work with such talented leaders across southeast Michigan, and I'm convinced that together we'll create thoughtful and substantial change in our cities and region.
"... I was truly impressed with the energy and the talent of the (MMC) members. Everyone was so excited to get moving and to make a difference to benefit the region. Great time had by all."
Look for the specific outcomes of the Millennial Mayors Congress inaugural meeting--including the full list of executive committee members and the approved charter--over at the Congress' website--www.millennialmayors.org.
Missed out on the inaugural meeting? Or want to review what you heard? Take a look at the presentations of keynote speaker Eric Robertson (Center City Commission, Memphis) and panelist Leslee Fritz (Michigan Economic Recovery Office, Director)
"Culture of Opportunity" - Eric Robertson, keynote presentation (PDF)
Photography by Christina Drane. If you are interested in purchasing a print of these images, email Christina@suburbsalliance.org.
