DisruptED in the D: The Power of Black Leadership with Dwan Dandridge (Ep. 1)

 

Detroit has long been a city of resilience, innovation, and reinvention. Once the heart of American industry, its rebirth has been marked by waves of economic and social transformation. But as new developments reshape the city, the question remains: who gets to be part of this transformation, and how can Black leadership play a central role? Black entrepreneurs and leaders often face systemic challenges in accessing capital, despite their deep roots and contributions to the city. In fact, research shows that nonprofits led by people of color receive less funding than their white-led counterparts.

So how do we ensure that Detroit’s renaissance is truly inclusive? How can Black entrepreneurs and organizations access the resources they need to thrive? In the first episode of this two-part series on DisruptED, host Ron J Stefanski sits down with Dwan Dandridge, the CEO and co-founder of Black Leaders Detroit, to explore how his organization is working to create equitable opportunities for Black businesses and nonprofits in the city. The episode highlights the role of Black leadership in shaping Detroit’s future.

The two discuss…

  • The legacy of Black Bottom and Detroit’s history of Black entrepreneurship – and how systemic barriers continue to shape economic opportunities today.
  • How Black Leaders Detroit is addressing funding disparities by creating a financial resource pool controlled by and for Black Detroiters.
  • The importance of self-determination in economic development and how communities can take control of their own financial futures.

Dwan Dandridge is a Detroit native and the CEO of Black Leaders Detroit, an organization dedicated to empowering Black entrepreneurs and leaders through equitable funding solutions. With a background spanning skilled trades, business ownership, and community activism, Dandridge’s journey is a testament to the power of persistence and self-determination. His work aims to bridge the gap in funding for Black-led organizations and ensure that Detroit’s economic resurgence benefits all its residents.

Article written by MarketScale.

Recent Episodes

As Michigan reclaims its identity as a hub of American innovation, the next industrial revolution looks far different from the assembly lines that once defined it. New initiatives like the forthcoming University of Michigan Innovation Center, alongside grassroots movements such as Black Tech Saturdays, are powering that resurgence. Together, they reflect a statewide belief…

Technology is evolving faster than ever, and with that acceleration comes the question of whether we’re using it to make the world better or simply faster. As automation, AI, and cybersecurity shape the future of work and life, leaders are reexamining how innovation can drive not just profit, but progress. Michigan, once the cradle…

As college undergoes a transformation, driven by technology, equity, and new definitions of success, DisruptED explores how the “college experience” is evolving and what that means for today’s students. With the traditional four-year path under growing scrutiny—only 41% of first-time, full-time undergraduates at four-year institutions actually earn their degrees within that time—a new model…