MoveDetroit and Mayor Mary Sheffield Announce $15K Recipients of First-Ever Make Detroit Home Grants

• The thirteen (13) inaugural $15,000 grant recipients include local entrepreneurs who are scaling their businesses, upgrading equipment, and investing in Detroit real estate – enabling homegrown innovators to expand operations and secure permanent roots in the city. 
• In all, Make Detroit Home will award $500,000 to assist 313 current and future Detroiters with funding for business projects, down payments, home renovations, rent, or relocation assistance. 
• The program is designed to retain Detroit entrepreneurs critical to city growth, while inviting new and returning Detroiters back to the city. 

DETROIT, Mich. (October 6, 2026) — MoveDetroit CEO Hilary Doe and Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield today announced the inaugural $15,000 grant recipients of Make Detroit Home grants, marking a major milestone for the city’s innovative, data-backed talent attraction and retention initiative. 

To date, the Make Detroit Home program has supported the attraction or retention of 158 Detroit households, representing nearly 400 current and future Detroiters. Among them, 13 applicants were selected for the inaugural round of larger $15K awards, based on their long-term commitment to Detroit and projected community impact. The recipients are a combination of current Detroit entrepreneurs retained and former Detroiters returning to the city. 

The announcement was made during a press conference at Gildform on Michigan Avenue, an online, on-demand design and manufacturing platform that helps creators and brands turn ideas into physical products like jewelry. Gildform’s founder Karissma Yve is among the awardees.

“This funding is exactly the boost we need to help build our workforce and keep our business rooted in Detroit,” said Yve. “We are so grateful to MoveDetroit and the city for selecting us, supporting us, and understanding that long-term economic growth starts by empowering homegrown employers who are already committed to the city’s future.”

The program, launched during the 2026 State of the City address, drew overwhelming interest from within the city and across the country, resulting in approximately 6,500 applications. 

To date, 158 households have been retained or relocated to Detroit through the initiative. These households contribute an estimated $9.9 million in annual economic impact through direct income, local spending, and tax contributions. Hundreds more have been accepted and are completing final steps or relocation. 

“We have demonstrated in a very short time that there’s an incredible demand from people who want to build their best lives and careers right here in Detroit,” said Hilary Doe, CEO of MoveDetroit. “Programs like Make Detroit Home help make that possible. Awarding this first round of funding is a critical step in our long-term strategy to retain talent, welcome new Detroiters back home, and ensure that those committed to Detroit have the resources to stay, grow, and build generational roots.”

“Each of these recipients is already contributing to Detroit’s momentum—whether they’re growing a business, investing in property, or returning to the city with a clear plan to build and give back,” said Mayor Mary Sheffield. “What’s powerful about this group is not just their potential, but their action. They are choosing Detroit, and they are actively shaping its future—creating jobs, stabilizing neighborhoods, and reinvesting in our communities. This is exactly the kind of intentional, people-centered investment we need to ensure Detroit remains a city where opportunity is built and sustained.”

Another grantee, Justin Wilson, moved back to Detroit from Los Angeles to pursue first-time homeownership, and grow his career in corporate partnerships with the Detroit Pistons.

“Detroit has always been home to me, even when my career took me to LA. No matter where I’ve lived, my family history and deep roots in this city have made me an unofficial ambassador for Detroit,” Wilson said. “This program and the $15,000 grant are helping to cover my downpayment and moving costs, making my transition back to Detroit and my journey into homeownership possible.” 

Make Detroit Home is part of MoveDetroit’s broader commitment to support the city’s healthy economic and population growth. The initiative focuses on retaining Detroiters, including local graduates and entrepreneurs, while attracting new and returning residents back to the city. Program strategies range from sharing Detroit’s story, to increasing student exposure to local opportunities, to supporting small businesses and housing access—core components underpinning any thriving community’s growth.

Beyond financial support, Make Detroit Home award recipients gain access to a robust ecosystem of support designed to help them build roots and accelerate their success. Awardees will be connected to curated community programming alongside a network of corporate, philanthropic, and civic partners, along with welcome benefits from park passes to discounts at local businesses—ensuring they are positioned to build deeper roots and thrive within Detroit’s economic and cultural landscape.

Among the inaugural $15,000 grant recipients are current Detroit entrepreneurs and new residents with Detroit roots returning to the city, including: 

“Stay” Catalyst Grants  

• Sierra Boone: Plans to use her grant toward becoming a first-time homeowner in Corktown, where she is also establishing her early childhood startup headquarters and first brick-and-mortar location.
• Imani Elie: Plans to purchase a property near East English Village Preparatory Academy to serve as the headquarters for her travel company and a youth hospitality training center.
• Karissma Yve: Will invest in workforce and business growth to keep her fast-growing AI product design and manufacturing startup, Gildform, rooted in Detroit.
• Brandi Daniel: Will invest in her business Alexander Nicole Nail Lounge, located on the historic Avenue of Fashion. 
• Eric Friday: Will reinvest in his Detroit home while expanding the infrastructure behind his real estate platform Monopoly Bros, to support continued neighborhood investment, real estate education, and long-term growth in the city.
• Darrell Goodman: Will purchase equipment and establish a permanent Detroit location for Motor City Jerk’D, bringing its signature bold flavors and dining experience to the city.

“Return” Returning Detroiter Grants 

• Andra Glenn: Will return from St. Louis to invest in homeownership while laying the foundation for Domus Elevare, a long-term real estate investment and neighborhood revitalization initiative rooted in Detroit.
• Christine Mainor: Will fund renovations on her land bank home while expanding her business, Lux by Renee.
• Shelby Horne: Will expand her marketing agency from Detroit, secure housing, and build toward launching a dance studio and youth mentorship initiatives.
• Yewande Odusanwo: Will relocate from Chicago to grow her company, Zora Digital, while supporting Detroit small businesses and underserved founders.
• Shannon Robinson: Will return from Colorado to pursue early-career homeownership.
• Joshua Spencer: Will return from South Carolina to invest in homeownership and launch a youth mentorship nonprofit.
• Justin Wilson: Will return from Los Angeles to reestablish roots in Detroit, pursue first-time homeownership, and grow his career in corporate partnerships with the Detroit Pistons while building a long-term future in the city.

MoveDetroit will award an additional 300 grants of $1,000 each to Detroiters choosing to stay, return, or move to the city. All awardees will receive access to community programming and welcome benefits to help them build bright futures in Detroit. Remaining recipients are being notified on a rolling basis.

Following overwhelming interest in the inaugural launch, MoveDetroit and its partners are actively planning Make Detroit Home’s next phase, with the goal of expanding reach and supporting even more current and future residents through this successful initiative. The programs’ impact further reinforces MoveDetroit’s position as a leader in talent retention and attraction.

MoveDetroit is powered by a coalition of more than 50 members and partners across corporate, philanthropic, educational, and civic sectors–all committed to Detroit’s healthy, long-term growth. Leveraging private capital, the initiative designs strategic programs and storytelling efforts designed to drive economic and population growth, while delivering for Detroit residents–current and future.

For more information on eligibility requirements, upcoming program cycles, and participating partners, visit MoveDetroit.com.