Self Determination and collective responsibility are pillars in the principles of Kwanzaa, but also ethics of life. Dwan Dandridge’s work with Black Leaders Detroit challenges Black people to delve deeper into our resources to resource our organizations, businesses, and entrepreneurs. Dwan’s story of arriving in this space is a mix of commitment to community, development of a business, and passion for supporting Black people. Dwan’s dynamic journey to founding and leading Black Leaders Detroit began from his testimony in learning best practices to build infrastructures that can empower others and support families. We talk about George Washington, San Antonio, School to Prison Pipeline, and even Detroit is Different’s original guest Malik Yakini. Dive deep into the mind of an authentic and collaborative thinker in Dwan Dandridges’ Detroit is Different feature.
Black Leaders Detroit is a lifelong mission for Dwan Dandridge
What began as a journey engaging hip-hop audiences, has grown into a career as a marketing consultant. As business people have seen my work, I was propositioned many times to provide graphic design, photography, videography, event planning, website development, and social media campaigning. These initial business contracts inspired me to build Creative Differences Marketing. I’ve balanced my entrepreneurial experience with formal education from Walsh College of Business and Accountancy. My degree in Marketing serves me well in understanding many of the formal, universal, and theoretical marketing approaches used in corporate environments.Formulating this business model has been anchored by the success of my BLOG ‘Detroit is Different.’ I create all content for Detroit is Different. This serves as a prototype of the ways I can design events, websites, graphics, music, podcasts, social media campaigns, and e-mail campaigns. ‘Detroit is Different’ focuses on the people and places of Detroit that add to the culture. Through these people and places, themes are driven. These themes will partner with, sponsor, and advertise for businesses and organizations using this innovative multilevel marketing approach.