Workforce Trends
As we continue farther in to the 21st century, the work will continue to change. The new industrial revolution has created challenges for employees and employers. In our series “Future of Work,” we examine different aspects of the ever-changing working world.
Gen Xers are taking the lead. How will they shape the future of work?
Hidden from the spotlight until now, Gen Xers have quietly become the next generation of workforce leaders, rising to C-suite level positions, as they take on new roles and talk about hiring for positions that don’t exist yet. At the same time Gen Xers are juggling the heightened responsibilities at work, they’re navigating more responsibilities at home as they take care of kids and aging parents. As Gen Xers take the helm where baby boomers have retired, how will their leadership styles and strengths continue to shape the future of work? One Detroit producer and Future of Work host Will Glover spoke to Michigan Works Association! CEO Ryan Hundt about what the future looks like with Generation X in charge. They talk about the cohort’s most notable workforce trends, the value of Gen Xers in the office, and how often they’ve been promoted on average compared to other generations. This conversation comes from One Detroit’s Future of Work town hall “Gen X: Picking up the Slack in an Evolving Workforce.” Watch our next Future of Work town hall on millennials Wednesday, March 22 at noon. Stay Connected: Subscribe to One Detroit’s YouTube Channel & Don’t miss One Detroit Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56. Catch the daily conversations on our website, Facebook, Twitter @DPTVOneDetroit, and Instagram @One.Detroit View Past Episodes > Watch One Detroit every Monday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET on Detroit Public TV on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56.
Building Black Development | American Black Journal and Bridge Detroit Virtual Town Hall
Join American Black Journal and BridgeDetroit March 22 at 12 p.m. for a town hall on Black real estate development The real estate development industry is dealing with a representation crisis. According to a new study from the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) and Grove Impact, minority developers — Black and Hispanic — make up less than 1% of the entire real estate industry. African Americans make up 0.4% of the industry, while Hispanic developers represent only 0.16% of the industry. These findings point to the constraints many minority developers face trying to enter the industry. In the majority-African American populated city of Detroit, where does the state of Black real estate development stand? Join “American Black Journal” host Stephen Henderson Wednesday, March 15 at 12 p.m. ET for a virtual town hall on Black real estate development in Detroit. Henderson will examine the challenges residents and developers face at every stage of the process — from the onset through completion. RELATED: Ebiara Fund Breaks Down Barriers for Minority Real Estate Developers in Detroit The town hall panelists will examine the barriers for Black real estate developers entering the industry, the lack of access to capital, the gender-based barriers of being a woman in a male-dominated industry, the fluctuating supply chain around material costs and availability, the impact of inflation, and the shortage of workers that’s been revealed and exacerbated by the pandemic. The town hall will be broken up into three panels: Black Women Developers Neighborhood Developers Solutions for Financing in Development Plus, panelists will discuss some of the solutions that are helping to build up and support Black development in the city, and the benefits that could come from greater diversity in real estate development. By fixing the representation crisis, closing the revenue gap and leveling revenue cliffs for Black and Hispanic developers, The ICIC study estimates that would create more than $106 billion in new revenue each year for the industry as well as create 1.7 million new jobs. Livestream this virtual town hall right here at the top of this page, on American Black Journal’s Facebook page, or on Detroit Public TV’s YouTube. Guest Panelists: Sonya Mays, President & CEO, Develop Detroit Jason Headen, Vice President of Detroit Market, CHN Housing Partners Richard Hosey, Owner, Hosey Development Roderick Hardamon, CEO, URGE Development Group & Urge Imprint Stay Connected: Subscribe to Detroit Public Television’s YouTube Channel & Don’t miss American Black Journal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56. Catch the daily conversations on our website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @amblackjournal. View Past Episodes > Watch American Black Journal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56.
Millennials on the Move: Making Michigan Home | Future of Work Town Hall
[embedded content] Join One Detroit for a Future of Work Town Hall on millennialsin the workforce Wednesday, March 22 at 12 p.m. ET Looking at Michigan’s workforce, where did all the millennials go? Millennials currently make up the largest share of the U.S. workforce and are expected to make up 75% of the global workforce by 2025. Despite the cohort’s strength in numbers, the workforce isn’t evenly distributed across the nation, however, with many millennials opting to live in warm-weather destinations and large metropolitan cities as opposed to places like Michigan. RELATED: Millennials make up a majority of the global workforce. Can Michigan attract them to move here? What impact will this have on states like Michigan, where the population is declining? And how can business leaders and key stakeholders convince millennials to plant their roots in Michigan? One Detroit producer and Future of Work host Will Glover will talk with Marjace Miles of Let’s Detroit, who works within Ford Motor Company’s Marketing Leadership Program, Wednesday, March 22 at 12 p.m. ET about millennial migration trends in the workforce and the benefits of being a young professional in Michigan. RELATED: They talk about millennial migration patterns and whether the state has the attractions and opportunities to attract the generation to stay here. They also discuss millennials’ job-hopping trend — a recent Gallup poll found that 20% of millennials had changed jobs within the past year, a strikingly higher percentage than elder generations. Plus, they’ll take a look at young professional workforce hubs, like Let’s Detroit, and talk about the networking opportunities they provide to millennials in the workforce. This town hall continues One Detroit’s cumulative, ongoing conversation involving the future of work and workforce development in Michigan. Livestream this town hall on One Detroit’s Facebook page, YouTube and at the top of this page. Future of Work Town Hall Participants: Future of Work Panelist | Marjace Miles, Let's Detroit / Ford Motor Company Marjace Miles works at Ford Motor Company within Ford Performance Marketing. His role consists of identifying key race series, drivers, and events in which to partner within the Motorsports industry with the aim of maximizing marketing value. This is Miles’ first of three rotating roles as part of Ford’s Marketing Leadership Program. Prior to Ford, Miles attended the University of Michigan, receiving an MBA in the spring of 2019. Born and raised in metro Detroit, Miles has always been a strong advocate for whatever community he calls home. From his undergraduate studies at Wayne State University through today, he has never been able to just do a 9-5 job. He’s also involved in a variety of after-work activities; everything from participation in sports leagues, organizing happy hours, volunteering at my local church, joining government boards, and much more. For fun, Miles enjoys bowling, traveling, and spending time with family. He currently lives in Dearborn, MI with his wife and daughter. Future of Work Host: Will Glover, One Detroit Producer For Detroit Public TV’s Future of Work initiative, One Detroit news and current events producer Will Glover leads conversations with business, economic, education, human resources, and policy experts to dive deep into Michigan’s workplace, workforce and the work itself to understand how we could create, retain and attract the talent needed to innovate and make Michigan a competitive top ten state across multiple industries. Glover studied film at Eastern Michigan University and received his Associate Degree in Digital Video Production & Documentary Film from Washtenaw Community College. Whether it’s underwriting voice-overs or producing stories for One Detroit, you’ll hear his voice throughout Detroit Public TV programming. Glover’s focus is on his craft: finding the stories and voices that capture the truth. Stay Connected: Subscribe to One Detroit’s YouTube Channel & Don’t miss One Detroit Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56. Catch the daily conversations on our website, Facebook, Twitter @DPTVOneDetroit, and Instagram @One.Detroit View Past Episodes > Watch One Detroit every Monday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET on Detroit Public TV on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56. Support for this Future of Work Town Hall is provided by: Additional Future of Work support provided by:
Worker-owned Pingree Detroit creates equity, shares success with employees
Pingree Detroit, a design and manufacturing cooperative near the city’s Fitzgerald neighborhood, is making the city a better place one recycled good at a time, and they’re doing it all while giving employees stock in the business. The worker-owned business takes recycled materials — leather, seatbelts and airbags for example — and turns them into consumer products like shoes, backpacks, purses, wallets, dog leases and more. And if you’d hadn’t heard of them already, there’s a chance you might see them around the city this year. Pingree Detroit Co-Founder Jarret Schlaff says the company wants to host pop-ups frequently at Eastern Market and at events like the Detroit Auto Show. Pingree Detroit uses recycled materials like leather, seatbelts and airbags to make consumer products like shoes, backpacks, purses, wallets, dog leases and more. | Photo by One Detroit Future of Work host and One Detroit producer Will Glover met with Schlaff at Pingree Detroit’s manufacturing space to talk about the company’s worker-owned business model and how it’s creating new opportunities for residents and veterans to learn valuable skills and share in the company’s success. They also talk about the challenges of being an entrepreneur and the benefits of building a company in Detroit. Stay Connected: Subscribe to One Detroit’s YouTube Channel & Don’t miss One Detroit Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56. Catch the daily conversations on our website, Facebook, Twitter @DPTVOneDetroit, and Instagram @One.Detroit View Past Episodes > Watch One Detroit every Monday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET on Detroit Public TV on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56.
Gen X: Picking up the Slack in an Evolving Workforce | Future of Work Town Hall
They’re not the silent generation. Hidden from the spotlight until now, Gen Xers (born between 1965 and 1981) have quietly become the next generation of workforce leaders, rising to C-suite level positions, as they take on new roles and talk about hiring for positions that don’t exist yet.
Biking around Detroit: Jason Hall on the benefits of riding through the Motor City
Biking: it’s more than just exercise. It’s equitable transportation, entertainment and a way for people to be introduced to Detroit and what the city has to offer. That’s the motto that motivates biking advocate Jason Hall, the founder of RiDetroit, the co-founder and former president of Slow Roll Detroit, and the owner and operator of Trek Bicycle Midtown Detroit.
Bank of America President Matt Elliott discusses Detroit’s recovery, housing affordability, Mackinac Policy Conference 2023
As cities and downtowns continue to navigate post-pandemic recovery, downtown Detroit’s recovery has been night and day, literally. While nightlife activity has nearly fully returned to pre-pandemic levels, weekday activity has been slow to return to downtown Detroit, having an impact on business and the city’s overall economic recovery.
Has Detroit’s slow return to work stalled its downtown vibrancy? Eric Larson weighs in
How has the shift to remote and hybrid work impacted downtown Detroit’s vibrancy? Has the pandemic upended the notion that downtowns thrive on in-office workspaces and large company headquarters?
Millennials make up a majority of the global workforce. Can Michigan attract them to move here?
Millennials are expected to make up nearly three-fourths of the global workforce in the next two years, and many are moving away from now-unaffordable and overpopulated cities like New York City and San Francisco to cities down South including Austin, Dallas, and Miami.
Richard Florida shares the two priorities downtown Detroit needs for its post-pandemic recovery
In the past decade, the pulse of downtown Detroit has gone up and down like a rollercoaster. From a steep drop into bankruptcy a decade ago to swift twists and turns to return the city’s vibrancy, all for those efforts to be met with another huge drop— the COVID-19 pandemic. As Detroiters head into year three of the city’s post-pandemic recovery efforts, what plans are ahead? And what do the experts think?
What do workers want from a post-pandemic workforce? Strategic Staffing Solutions weighs in
For nearly three years, many employees have been working remotely because of the pandemic. Now, whether employers are choosing to stay fully remote, implement a hybrid model or make a full return to the office, several businesses are starting to make decisions about their post-pandemic workplace environments and requirements. But what do the employees want?
Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II on the administration’s investment in downtown Detroit
As Michigan ushers in a Democratic-controlled state government for the first time in 40 years, what could that mean for the state’s ongoing investments in Detroit? And what could Detroit’s resurgence mean for the rest of the region and state?
The High Cost of Baby Boomers | Future of Work Town Hall
Baby boomers are facing a big decision: should they stay in the workforce, and can they afford to leave? Can Michigan afford to lose them? According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the percentage of civilian workers aged 65-74 participating in the U.S. labor force is expected to take a sharp rise in the next decade, meaning more baby boomers are expected to stave off retirement and stay in their positions longer.
2023 Detroit Policy Conference focuses on the City’s resurgence and the future for downtown
Ten years ago, in 2013, Detroit was facing arguably one of its hardest situations yet: bankruptcy. In the last decade, however, the city’s downtown has rebounded and revitalized itself, and in the grand scheme of things, for some city officials and key stakeholders, Detroit’s resurgence is just getting started.
A Year in Review: The Future of Work in Michigan | Future of Work Town Hall
After more than two years of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and major economic shifts, Michigan’s workforce landscape has changed drastically. Businesses of all sizes, and their employees, were impacted. Some small businesses shuttered, while others thrived, and the philosophy behind what work is, and what it should be, came into question.
The Great Reset: The Future of Work with SHRM’s Johnny Taylor, Jr.
In this time of global upheaval, the greatest challenge business leaders face is access to human capital. As a global leader on the future of employment, culture and leadership, Johnny C. Taylor, Jr is a sought-after voice on all matters affecting work, workers, and the workplace. Mr. Taylor will discuss the complexities of the modern workplace amid a pandemic, fluctuating unemployment, economic uncertainty and a heightened urgency around inclusion and diversity.
Michigan’s Childcare Challenges Have Displaced Women From the Workforce. Will New Legislation Help Them Return?
All across Michigan, a shortage of childcare availability and rising childcare costs have persisted, leaving some working women with few options other than to stay home and forego a job for parenthood. Nearly 1.1 million women left the workforce from February 2020 to January 2022, and a disproportionate number of women — 23% compared to 13% of men — considered leaving their careers for motherhood.
Future of Work Town Hall | Women in the Workforce
All across Michigan a shortage of childcare availability and rising childcare costs have persisted leaving some working women few other options than to stay home and forego a job for parenthood. According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics federal study, nearly 1.1 million women left the workforce from February 2020 to January 2022.
Does the Future of Teaching Spell Trouble for Michigan Educators, School Systems?
What does the future of teaching in Michigan look like for the state’s current educators, and how can Michigan make the profession more prosperous for educators and students to come?
Keeping Commitments? The State of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Efforts in the Workplace
It has been more than two years since George Floyd’s murder sparked huge commitments from businesses and organizations to expand their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the workplace. Promises were made, but were they kept? American Black Journal takes a look at whether DEI efforts in the workplace have improved since calls for racial and social justice re-ignited across the nation.
Future of Work Town Hall | School’s Out for Teachers
When it comes to Michigan’s strengths as a state, education isn’t necessarily one of them. According to a U.S. News & World Report ranking, Michigan sits at 38th overall — 42nd in higher education, and 32nd in Pre-K-12 education — compared with the other 49 U.S. states. Teachers in Michigan were presented with more challenges and increased demands in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and school shootings, like the mass shooting at Oxford High School last November and at Uvalde Elementary School in Texas more recently.
Michigan Redesigned: Developing Careers, Investments in the State’s Design Industry
Taking a look around Michigan’s major cities, design is everywhere. The creativity of designers can be seen throughout Michigan in the clothes we wear, the architecture of our cities and the cars we drive, but still, globally Detroit isn’t recognized for having a strong design industry. How can Michigan develop more design jobs across the state, and prepare young designers for future design jobs?
Placemaking: The Path to Increasing Quality of Life, Talent Attraction in Michigan
Placemaking — it’s the term often used to describe the process of increasing the quality of shared public spaces where business owners, workers and families can gather. When it comes to placemaking efforts, what has Michigan done and have those investments paid off today?
Can Detroit become an international fashion city? Detroit brand Deviate Fashion thinks so
When it comes to fashion, not many people place Detroit among the cities where the design industry thrives. Detroiters may know it here, but one Detroit-based fashion brand, Deviate Fashion, started with the goal to put Detroit on the map as a fashion city around the world.
Future of Work Town Hall | Michigan Redesigned
Taking a look around Michigan’s major cities, design is everywhere, though much of the design people see in their daily lives largely goes unnoticed. Whether it’s the clothing people wear, the designs and patterns that adorn walls, the architecture in downtown Detroit and other cities, or the websites they visit, chances are a designer is behind it. So, what really makes up the design industry and what efforts are underway in Michigan to develop and expand it?
Michigan Business Leaders Say Education, Trained Workforce Key to Making Michigan More Competitive
In the national and global race for strong professional talent, how can Michigan get a leg up on the competition? How does the Great Lakes state become a top 10 state where families and young professionals want to live, work, grow and play? Some of Michigan’s top business leaders gathered together to answer these questions about making Michigan more competitive and how exactly the state should do it at the Detroit Regional Chambers 2022 Mackinac Policy Conference.
Future of Work Town Hall | Creating Communities: The Path to Placemaking
From Detroit’s Campus Martius and Riverwalk districts to vibrant developing downtown corridors in Detroit’s suburbs, like Clawson, urban planners, developers and city officials in Southeast Michigan have begun the placemaking process in an attempt to attract and retain workforce talent and provide residents with a greater quality of life, but have the state’s efforts paid off?
Future of Work Town Hall | Steering the Future: Moving the Motor City’s Auto Industry Forward
More than a century ago, Detroit’s entrepreneurial spirit put the Michigan auto industry on the map as the Motor City — the car capital of the world, but how will the state that has led the automotive industry for several decades stay competitive in the everchanging automotive environment of the 21st century?
Small business workshop covers business recovery, sustainability amid COVID
For the past eight years, The LEE Group‘s President and CEO Mark S. Lee has put a focus on helping small businesses through the challenges of starting and sustaining a new venture. The past few years, however, COVID-19 has caused major disruptions to our economy and to the survival of small businesses. The LEE Group’s Small Business Workshop returns for its eighth year with a focus on business recovery and sustainability. ere severely impacted and are not showing the profitability that they had.
Michigan’s Teacher Shortage: Can It Be Considered a Crisis Yet?
From remote learning to mask mandates, teacher shortages and more, the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to disrupt education for Michigan’s students and educators. Michigan’s teacher shortage specifically has been a widely debated topic across the state, but can it be characterized as a crisis yet? While some headlines and reports might say yes, other education experts don’t think our state’s education system is there yet.
Grocery Stores Remain Hardest Hit by Employee Shortages | Future of Work
They were some of America’s frontline workers, but then they called it quits. The nation’s labor shortage has impacted several industries, with workers leaving because of low wages, poor conditions or in pursuit of new opportunities, but one of the hardest-hit industries continues to be retail, especially grocery stores that have seen grocery store workers leave in droves.
New York Times Author Alec Ross Discusses Best-Selling Book ‘The RAGING 2020s’
New York Times best-selling author Alec Ross joined the Detroit Economic Club on Feb. 16 for a lively discussion centered around his latest book, “The RAGING 2020s: Companies, Countries and People — and the Fight for Our Future,” with DEC President and CEO Steve Grigorian. Alec Ross currently works as a distinguished visiting professor at l’Universitá di Bologna Business School.
Michigan’s High Childcare Costs Continue As Financial Assistance Remains Untapped
While 35% of Michigan’s children five years and under qualify for childcare subsidies, only 5% of families are tapping into the state’s financial resources. At the same time, nearly 44% of Michigan families live in childcare deserts — geographic hot spots where there’s a lack of licensed childcare providers.
Future of Work | Have Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Progressed in the Workplace?
One Detroit contributor and American Black Journal host Stephen Henderson checks in with marketing consultant Mark S. Lee, president of The Lee Group, MI LLC, on where diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are in the workplace. They explore the progress that’s been made in regards to DEI efforts and what’s still lacking nearly two years after the topic re-emerged into the mainstream, after George Floyd’s death.
2/10/22: One Detroit – Critical Race Theory, Michigan Childcare, Workplace DEI, Bill Bonds
When Jonathan Harris first previewed his painting “Critical Race Theory” at his TRIPTYCH: Stronger Together exhibit at the Irwin House Gallery this past November, it sat on a wall just outside the gallery’s main room, but despite its less-than-prominent placement, it sold easily. It was the first step toward a virality that swept over Harris’ painting and sparked a national conversation about critical race theory and the ways social and political issues are taught in America’s classrooms.
Detroit Economic Club Hosts 2022 Economic Outlook Discussion for Michigan
On Thursday, Jan. 13, the Detroit Economic Club hosted the 2022 Michigan Economic Outlook meeting to discuss the state’s trajectory and possible fiscal future. In a conversation moderated by Detroit News’ Senior Editor of Business and columnist Daniel Howes, Elaine Buckberg, Chief Economist of General Motors, and Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation share their insights on the analysis of our state’s economic strength and fortitude.
Michigan State University President Discusses Future for Spartan Community
The Detroit Economic Center welcomed Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., President of Michigan State University, on Monday, December 6, at the MotorCity Casino Hotel as the 16th speaker in DEC history. In a fireside chat with WJR Radio’s Paul W. Smith, Dr. Stanley discussed “Leading The Way Forward: MSU Today and Tomorrow” and answered questions from the audience.
DTE CEO Discusses the Future of Michigan’s Energy Needs
The Detroit Economic Club hosted Jerry Norcia, President & CEO of DTE Energy, on Thursday, November 18, at the MotorCity Casino Hotel. In a fireside chat with Sandy Pierce of The Huntington National Bank, Jerry discussed “Planning for Our Customers’ Evolving Energy Needs While Investing in Michigan’s Clean Energy Future” and answered questions from the audience.
Delta CEO Discusses the Future of Travel
The Detroit Economic Club hosted Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, on Friday, October 29, at the Westin Book Cadillac. In a fireside chat with DEC President and CEO Steve Grigorian, Ed discussed “The Future of Travel” and answered questions from the audience.
9/23/21: One Detroit – Mackinac Policy Conference Highlights
One Detroit team Christy McDonald, Stephen Hendersonand Nolan Finley provide their seasoned analysis of the week’s proceedings, which centered around such topics as the Future of Work, racial equality, community health and public education.
7/22/21: One Detroit – Future Leadership / Fixing the Districts / Eviction Moratorium Ending
Detroit’s primary elections are coming up in just over a week. One Detroit contributors, Nolan Finley of The Detroit News and Stephen Henderson of American Black Journal, got together to talk about who’s on the ballot, the contention over proposed charter revisions, and the future of the mayoral seat.
4/15/21: One Detroit – The Future of Women & Work
Impact of women leaving the workforce According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, there were 2.2 million fewer women in the workforce in October 2020 than in October 2019. The number of women participating in the workforce has dropped 57%, the lowest level since 1988. Christy talks with Univ. of Michigan Labor Economist Dr. Betsey Stevenson and Julie Kashen from The Century Foundation for more on the ascendancy of women in the workforce pre-pandemic and the setbacks they’re facing now.