About The City Institute

Our Purpose

Locally, City Institute provides a deeper understanding of Detroit’s assets, history and challenges so its residents and stakeholders can be better equipped to shape an equitable and thriving Detroit.

Globally, City Institute helps other cities learn how to tell their stories in order to attract and retain talent, engage and inspire residents, promote small businesses, and build thriving and equitable communities.

Our Work

Our work is two-pronged, working on the ground in Detroit as well as with cities around the globe. 

We work with companies & organizations to help their teams have a deeper understanding and connection to their cities. We believe the only way to equitably engage in a city is to understand the bigger picture – to understand the place in context.  We connect the dots between the city’s past and present, and providing the tools to better equip residents & stakeholders to play an active role in shaping its future.

Our team combines observations of current conditions, historical facts and recent statistics with powerful anecdotes and individual stories of Detroiters to help clients understand the complexity and dynamism of the city of Detroit. 

Our Sought-After City Program helps cities of all sizes attract & retain residents by deepening understanding and connection in the community. This program helps cities tell their story so people can have a better understanding & appreciation of where they live and work. When people appreciate and feel connected to where they live they are more likely to stay in that community, invest time and money in that community and overall help their community thrive.