This is My City

Central Michigan University alumni Carnell Poindexter III, State Representative Tyrone Carter, Brooke Adams, and Kevin Bautista-Mancilla visited campus September 10 to answer a series of questions that explore the identity of Detroit, how the history of the city has affected its present, where the city is headed, and what Detroit means to the people who live there. CMU’s Executive Director of Detroit Outreach Rhonda Welsh moderated the discussion.

The panel discussion was the kick-off event for the 2026-2027 Critical Engagements series, a collaborative project housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences that makes the academic mission of Central Michigan University concrete by highlighting how our students, faculty, and community are tackling the world’s most pressing and difficult questions. 

Students from across campus filled the auditorium ready to learn something new and to share an experience or story they have about Detroit.

Each panelist shared insights and ideas rooted in both their unique relationship with and love for Detroit. They also mentioned some of their favorite spots in Detroit, which included TechTown, the Riverwalk, Belle Isle, Eastern Market, Wright Museum, College for Creative Studies, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Institute of Arts, the train station, the City Institute, Dequindre Cut and more.

Whether you’re a Detroit native, or have yet to visit the city, Welsh offers her take: “The best way to get to know Detroit is through a friend.”

Recent CMU graduate Carnell Poindexter III, founder of Inner City Inclusion and now a first-year law student at Michigan State University, spoke about the vital importance of spending time and working with Detroit youth.

"We need to invest in the people who will be taking care of us later," said Poindexter.

State Representative Tyrone Carter shared his experience of 1967 as a six-year-old and explained his thoughts and ideas about the future of the leadership, outlook, and infrastructure of Detroit.

Brooke Adams, Director of Philanthropy at Life Remodeled, highlighted the difference between charity and solidarity when working to create University exposure in Detroit schools, and encouraged that the exposure should be rooted in solidarity and explained what that looks like.

Kevin Bautista-Mancilla, current Wayne State MBA student and previous Human Resources Manager at the Marriot International in Detroit, emphasized the diverse communities that exist in Detroit and elaborated on how they are all unique from one another.

Welsh answered a few post-panel questions about her thoughts on the event:

What does this event mean to you?
RW: This event was an excellent opportunity to provide the on-campus CMU community with a clearer and more comprehensive view of Detroit. I was very excited to act as a bridge between the university and the city that I love. While it is a task that I perform in my everyday work, it was particularly fulfilling to be asked to kick off Critical Engagements.

How do you feel after serving as the moderator for the panel?

RW: I feel, in a word, happy. I have worked with Rep. Carter and Brooke Adams for quite some time so I was thrilled that they could participate and bring their expertise to our students and the other attendees. I am newer to Carnell and Kevin’s work and at the end of the evening I was so impressed by all that they do.

What went through your mind when you chose to be the moderator?

RW: I was not exactly surprised. In my work as executive director for Detroit Outreach, thinking about how we, at CMU, can best engage our various Detroit stakeholders in my everyday task. In a sense I am the university’s SE Michigan moderator because it is important that I understand the aims, goals and desires of both the university and our publics.