Earlier this year, I was still an unemployed journalism graduate staring at dismal job boards while getting calls from recruiters seeking salespeople for health insurance. I hated where I was born; where I was still living. I hated Michigan.
Fast-forward to this past weekend. I didn't just see Thrillist's #1 ranking of Michigan culture and entertainment relative to the 49 other states; I lived it. I lived it in more fantastic ways in a span of three days than I had ever before. I was reminded of what it meant to be one of THE Great Lake State's native sons.
Volunteering in Detroit:
On Friday, I returned to a community service organization that I volunteered for beginning in 2003. Summer in the City Detroit was my introduction to the realities of Detroit when I was an oblivious high schooler. Loading up vans and cars with suburban kids who were often looking for community service hours, SITC gave us a real look into the effects of Detroit gentrification over decades past. It also empowered us to fight it in our own way with hours upon hours of giving back to the community through volunteer work.
Looking back, each cleaned up lot, painted mural, and mentored student may not break the city's fiscal austerity, but just as Flint native Terry Crews discovered when he paid us a visit; no matter what tax bracket, city, or race we hail from, if we pool our resources together and flex the muscle of our industries, the rest of the nation will stare in awe at what we can create.
A Michigan State mini-homecoming:
On a whim, I traveled to my alma mater, Michigan State University, on Friday night. Home to an enormous, beautiful campus that makes for an arctic expedition in common winter conditions as well as some of the nation's best collegiate athletes past and present, it was my home for quite some time. And in a way, it will always be a second home - a place where some of Michigan's brightest and ambitious minds come to learn and often leave to give back to the state from not so far away.
Drinking in the streets of Lansing:
Come Saturday afternoon, I sampled some of the finest microbrews that our state has to offer at the Lansing Beer Fest including selections from Founder's, Green Bush, and New Holland breweries. Surrounded by people from all over the state, I came across no shortage of fascinating perspectives and discussions by merely walking around a handful of city blocks. I also discovered the Spartan Beer Co. founded by a fellow Spartan alumnus - a company I could really stand behind. Despite the torrential downpour, the beer was fantastic. It only makes sense that Thrillist was more than happy to give our breweries a lot of credit for Michigan's outstanding ranking.
Home.
As a digital marketer who helps many Michigan businesses (primarily in manufacturing) foster economic growth, I find my career incredibly rewarding. Until a couple hours ago, I was simply aware that I had an unforgettable weekend. Looking back, I can't wait to celebrate America in this state next weekend. And I know that I can expect more amazing weekends to come. Because after all, I'm from Michigan, and I'm here to stay.