Work in Detroit Doesn't End with Grand Bargain
Submitted by Steve on November 18, 2014
Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, writing for Detroit Free Press:
This past June, I found myself sitting, awestruck, in the Rivera Court of the Detroit Institute of Arts. The court is named after Rivera for his breathtaking “Detroit Industry” frescoes that line the walls — a gift from Edsel Ford to the people of Detroit back in 1932.
The 27-panel masterpiece remains a monument to human endeavor and hard work. Eight decades after Rivera put down the paintbrush, it was still the perfect backdrop for the event I was attending.
That afternoon, I watched as the Detroit Three auto companies — Ford, Chrysler, and GM — committed $26 million toward Detroit's nearly $900-million grand bargain. Leaders and emissaries from government, philanthropy and business proudly looked on. A sense of joy and relief filled the air.