MoveDetroit Launches Neighborhood Ambassador Program to Put Detroiters at Center of City’s Growth

• Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, former state Chief Growth Officer and MoveDetroit CEO Hilary Doe, and members of MoveDetroit – including MoveDetroit Chairman Dan Gilbert – join forces to announce a new city-wide program to engage Detroiters.
• Up to 100 Detroiters will be selected as Neighborhood Ambassadors to help shape the city's growth strategy, storytelling, and benefit programs - ensuring Detroiters directly inform how MoveDetroit retains and attracts residents. 

DETROIT, Mich. (April 2, 2026) – Members of the MoveDetroit coalition gathered today at Wayne State University to launch a new Neighborhood Ambassador Program aimed at engaging current residents in telling the city’s story by sharing their own unique experiences.

The announcement builds on momentum from earlier this week when Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield introduced the formation of MoveDetroit during her State of the City address, alongside the ‘Make Detroit Home’ program, which will provide direct financial support to 313 current and future Detroit residents.

MoveDetroit brings together corporations, foundations, public agencies, labor, and community organizations to grow Detroit’s population and strengthen its economy through marketing, talent retention and attraction programs, and policy initiatives. The group’s focus is to keep current residents, bring back former Detroiters, and attract new people to the city. 

The Neighborhood Ambassador Program, elevating trusted voices from neighborhoods across the city, will select up to 100 Detroiters to help inform MoveDetroit’s strategy, contribute to storytelling efforts and ensure growth programs and initiatives reflect the people and communities already driving Detroit forward.

“This is about ownership in the city’s story and its future,” said Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield. “We want Detroiters to see themselves as leaders in this work and make certain the city’s growth is driven by the people who have always been here, and continue to live here, building the culture we all love.”

Detroiters are encouraged to nominate individuals who are already making a difference in their communities, whether through small business leadership, cultural work, local advocacy or other community-focused efforts.

“Detroit’s greatest asset is its people,” said Hilary Doe, President and CEO of MoveDetroit. “This program puts residents that are actively shaping Detroit’s story at the forefront to inform how we keep and attract talent, invest in neighborhoods and grow in a way that’s grounded in lived experience.” 

Dan Gilbert, Chairman of MoveDetroit, and Founder and Chairman of Rocket Companies, ROCK and Bedrock, emphasized the importance of engaging community members to share the city’s story both locally and globally.

“Detroit’s story is best told by the people who are building their lives here every day,” Gilbert said. “That’s how you build pride and create momentum. When we come together to drive growth and amplify the voices of the people who know this city best, we show what makes Detroit so special: its resilience, spirit, and the opportunity here for anyone willing to be part of its future.”

Gilbert, a founding member of MoveDetroit, has also pledged to match every dollar raised by the coalition in its first year, affirming his commitment to the initiative.

Since launching earlier this week, MoveDetroit has expanded to include more than 50 members and partners across business, nonprofit and community sectors - further strengthening a coordinated approach to population and economic growth. The diverse array of inaugural members include organizations across sectors such as Rocket, Fifth Third Bank, Visit Detroit, Henry Ford, GM, Black Tech Saturdays, Gardner White, Pistons, JPMorganChase, Skillman Foundation, Wayne State University as well as recent additions including Brand:Detroit, Business Leaders for Michigan, Greatwater Homes, Newlab, Techtown, United Way of Southeast Michigan, Walker Miller Energy Solutions, and Wayne County Community College District. The full list can be found at MoveDetroit.com.

How the Neighborhood Ambassador Program Works

Detroiters are invited to nominate individuals from their communities to serve as neighborhood ambassadors at MoveDetroit.com. Strong consideration will be given to those receiving multiple nominations. Selected participants will:

• Inform strategy by participating in feedback sessions that shape MoveDetroit programs and marketing.
• Contribute to storytelling through featured content and digital engagement across marketing platforms.  
• Represent their community with exclusive event ticket access, build meaningful connections with community and civic leaders, and unlock future program benefits through active participation.
  

Residents who nominate ambassadors will be eligible for weekly giveaways, including event tickets, discounts, and local experiences. 

Nominations are now open at MoveDetroit.com.