John George: In Detroit, We Work Together

By Bud on April 20, 2008 TrackBacks (0) Comments (3)

John George, founder of Blight Busters, is working to create a critical mass that will bring culture and development back to West Detroit.

Filed under: Blight Busters | Defining New Markets | Detroit, MI | John George | Non-profit | Twelve Month Goals

The main message that John George wants to send over the next month is that Detroit is working together to solve its problems (download 3.5 minute iPod compatible video, 17MB). Among his specific goals, he wants to turn Blight Busters' neighborhood into the Detroit arts district. To that end, he has partnered with the Motor City Theatre Organ Society to restore the Old Redford Theatre and has plans to refurbish the 350 seat theater in the third floor of his headquarters. Combined with the existing Artist Village and the upcoming Motor City Java Cafe, these initiatives should create a critical mass to bring more culture and development into the area.

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3 Comments

Sarah Allen on June 9, 2008 9:21 PM
I think that John George has a wonderful idea for the city of Detroit. He is helping do things in the city that a lot of other people may find impossible. I went to the Blight Busters website to see all that the organization does. John George uses the idea of building a community to help the Blight Busters raise money and get things done in the city. He says again and again that "in Detroit we work together." This concept of creating a community seems to be very important to the cause, not only because the things that Blight Busters take on require a lot of work but it brings people together that have a common goal. In my class, I read about how building a community is essential to the success of some websites, but I think that it also applies to non-profit organizations because people with common goals can work together to help achieve the ultimate goals of an organization. John is very motivated to help turn the city around. I also read on the Motor City Blight Busters website that John had an insurance busienss, but he sold it because he decided that improving the city was more important. I think a lot of people in the city of Detroit also have a goal to help improve the city and that is why Blight Busters is such a successful organization. ~Sarah Allen
Tyresse Ferguson on June 11, 2008 4:39 PM
I listened to John George first post on “Going from Devils to Angels” and I thought that one was very interesting so I decided to listen to another one of his post since I am a Detroit native and I love anything positive that is taking place within the city. I must admit that I did not have a clue about the Blight Busters organization. I did visit the website and I think it is amazing that the organization do a lot of things in order to make Detroit a better place. This post in particular is one of interest because John George is looking for sources of finances in order to move forward with huge projects such as restoring the Old Redford Theatre. In this post he did not state whether or not the organizations has looked into getting finds from the state or city in order to help with such a positive project. I believe that the restoration of areas such as this one will give the youth a place to go and learn about different art cultures. Furthermore, improvements in the city of Detroit will bring businesses back to the area and in turn lower the unemployment rate over time. In a way John George and his partners’ on this project are looking for private investors or angels to fund this project. They have partnered with different organizations such as Eastern Michigan University and Google in order to take the message worldwide. This whole post is about the changes that are being made in Detroit in order to revitalize the city. Also, the post is focused on getting investors involved with such a wonderful cause. I think that this is a wonderful opportunity for people to get involved with and to invest in. Furthermore, a project of this magnitude could have the potential to move from one city to the next in order to revitalize the country. Sincerely, Tyresse Ferguson
Raina Bell on June 12, 2008 9:43 AM
I have heard about Angel's Night in the city of Detroit and know how successful it has become with each year, however I did not know who created the idea. John George has an excellent mission and has had great success accomplishing it. I have always thought that by renovating some of the historic houses, theaters, and buildings in Detroit would help make the city a better place to live and also more attractive to visitors. I think it is great that they are renovating the existing buildings keeping the original culture of Detroit. I also find it very admirable to gain the amount of volunteers that Blight Busters has attained in order to tear down dangerous crack houses, building new houses, and cleaning up the city. I think that by getting their name out to more people would definitely bring in donations and volunteers because there are plenty of people who would love to support such a great cause. I think by partnering with Eastern Michigan University and Google is a stepping stone to get their message out to the public of the nation. Detroit has slowly started to build up its presence, but I think that getting rid of the "bad" such as crack houses should be a number one priority. There are lots of children and young adults that live in the city of Detroit and they do not need to have access to such places.

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