In this episode, Thea talks with developers Marcus Jones and Akunna Olumba of the Legacy City Group about their transformative work in the Live Six neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan.
Akunna is an attorney and professor, Marcus is an expert in construction and sustainable building practices.
Marcus and Akunna are developing a block on the main thoroughfare. As Thea says “The engine of Neighborhood Magic often starts with a new restaurant that generates interest in an area, it’s how people experience a new neighborhood” which is why she is especially excited to hear about their Detroit Pizza Bar. This is the first sit-down restaurant in Live Six in over forty years.
The Detroit Pizza Bar serves many functions. It’s a modern, two hundred seat restaurant with a roof top patio and wood fired pizza ovens. It’s also a place the community can learn new skills.
Marcus explains how they arrived at their business model “We studied how to rebuild in a way to support the neighborhood, but also in a way that was sustainable."
"We have a two-phase approach,” Akunna explains. “First, we invest in human capital with a nationally recognized apprenticeship program. We hire, train, and up-skill individuals from the neighborhood. Second, we have a profit-sharing model. For those who've been with us for a year, we take 20 percent of the profits and divide them among these individuals."
Marcus and Akunna are doing whatever it takes - “Like most entrepreneurs, like most people in business you do what’s required to make the business operate which means sometimes you’re the pizza maker sometimes you’re the dishwasher, sometimes you’re the person who mops” says Akunna. Thea knows this all too well. Like Akunna, Thea stepped into the role of pizza maker in her own restaurant Thea’s when the pizza guy stopped showing up.
Find out how these determined and thoughtful developers have engaged with the community to build a social hub. Marcus -“I really try to engage the community. I talk to people and I look around and say ‘where can I make an impact so that I can propel and allow these talented people that live in the neighborhood and give them a platform showcase their work.”
Join Thea in celebrating unsung heroes who are reshaping America one neighborhood at a time, and stay tuned for more stories from visionary pioneers that are redefining the urban landscape.
