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Announcing the Detroit Community Development Fellows

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We are delighted to announce the four 2020 Detroit Community Development Fellows! Two Fellows each will be working for the Tuxedo Project and Zachary & Associates, both small scale development entities working on neighborhood based projects in Detroit.  The fellows will be adding capacity to the organizations by contributing to planning efforts, community engagement strategies and general project implementation.

Calvin Walds and Valeriya Epshteyn are working with The Tuxedo Project. Calvin Walds, a 2012 Paris Fellow and Detroit native, has been working on education, particularly concerning contemporary issues such as “Literature of Mass Incarceration” and “The Art of Protest.” Valeriya Epshteyn, born in Ukraine, graduated from the University of Michigan and is a 2019 Detroit Fellow. Her passions include cooperatives, vegetable gardening, and investing that aligns with social justice.

Jordan Yagiela and Ronald Norwood are working with Zachary and Associates. Jordan Yagiela, a 2019 Detroit Fellow, and a Michigan State University graduate, is currently working on revitalizing the NW Goldberg neighborhood. Ronald Norwood, also a 2019 Detroit Fellow has been working on community development in the Livernois and 6 mile community of Fitzgerald and is mentoring youth on work preparedness.

We will post more about the impact of their work throughout the next months. Humanity in Action is grateful to the close partnership with The Tuxedo Project and Zachary & Associates. Congratulations to Calvin, Jordan, Ronald and Valeriya!