With every table full of city residents, community organizers, and city officials who want to see change in their community, the room was charged with the electric vibe of a community demanding to be heard on the evening of March 5th. As part of her “Rise Higher Detroit” transition listening tour, Mayor Mary Sheffield brought her “Safe and Just Communities” conversation to the edge of Mexicantown, planting a flag for civic engagement in District 6.
The event, organized with MI Poder, was an important part of a citywide effort to involve residents’ voices. The Rise Higher Detroit transition aims to let residents’ voices shape both the first 100 days and the administration’s long-term plans. For many in District 6, who live with bilingual challenges and have immigration status concerns, having this conversation at the Detroit Hispanic Development Center (DHDC), a trusted community partner, was especially important.
Cindy Gamboa, Executive Director of MI Poder, emphasized that the “Safe and Just” initiative isn’t about top-down mandates, but rather bottom-up listening.
“Safe and just communities cannot be defined without the voices of the people most impacted. Our role is to ensure engagement is real, accessible, and grounded in lived experience. When residents are heard and respected, we build the foundation for accountable and responsive governance,” Gamboa said…