G U E S T B O O K

A selection of tweets, posts & notes from our beloved guests—

“I absolutely love being in conversation with the Urban Consulate community. I honestly believe that the conversations that take place at the Urban Consulate are some of the best ways I know to truly enhance knowledge sharing and tap into collective intelligence. Every time I walk away from an Urban Consulate event I always believe that we have the power to change not only the individuals who participate, but also our collective future!”

—Devita Davison, FoodLab Detroit

“I’m encouraged in that we’re not alone. We have people all over the nation, all over the world who are working toward the same goal. And venues like this one are connecting us in ways we haven’t been connected before. We’re a crew now, and we’re not going to let that power go.”

— Dr. Andre M. Perry, Brookings Institution

“I have to say, everything Urban Consulate has done has really changed for the better my personal life and my professional existence like no other experience has in my adult life. I really am not blowin’ smoke when I say I actually do love ya’ll. You are making magic happen in our country in a time when civil discourse is simply rhetoric. So I’m so grateful that you all continue to show up and make these platforms available, and lift up the voices of the people who are behind the scenes and on the ground. I think this is actually the best example of how we should exist in society that I have seen in our country in my entire career. So just thank you for making this happen, and for being so committed to the necessity of this work in this time, for our country and our world.”

— Shauen Pearce, City of Minneapolis

“I was so excited for tonight’s watch party with my loves Orlando Bailey and Tamika Butler, I threw on a red dress and cracked open a beer like it was 2019. Congrats Urban Consulate for producing an amazing series, and Orlando, you’re a star.”

—Jay Pitter, international author & placemaker, Toronto

“People leaned in. The energy was electric. Many things that needed saying were said, and out of that many new relationships were born. Our country is filled with people trying to figure out how to live with each other and thrive together. I'm grateful I get to work with so many of them.”

—Eric Liu, Aspen Institute & Citizen University

"I'm deeply honored to be in conversation with you, and this whole effort which I find so elegantly designed. I just wish every community had an effort like this."

-Courtney E. Martin, Oakland

"I am a HUGE fan of Urban Consulate and the unique as well as necessary service it provides to the community. I try to attend as many of their events as possible. If you have never been to one of their events, I urge you to attend. If you have been to any of their events, kudos to you!

Knowledge is key to unlocking empowerment within individuals so that they may use it to build a better community for not only themselves, but other individuals who are and may become vested in the community. Urban Consulate helps to channel and disseminate that knowledge."

—Pietro Maize II, Detroit

“Thank you all for the amount of support you have given us. I truly believe working with you all gave us the confidence and reinforcement to continue to grow our work to be on a larger platform.”

—Akua Wilson, Cincinnati

“Thank you seems inadequate to describe my gratitude for this experience.  I am still on a high from it and the feedback I have received. This was one of those moments that I’ll remember for a lifetime.”

— Asandi Conner, Detroit

“The partners for this engagement have been deeply supportive of my work and we share so many values. Every single detail tethered to this engagement—location, inclusion, vendor, honouring local knowledge is perfectly aligned with my practice. Claire Nelson, you are an exceptional human and champion. Thank you for getting the ball rolling on this. Also, I can't wait to meet Madhavi, Sarida, Orlando, Katy and other exceptional Detroit-based city-builders!”

— Jay Pitter, Toronto

“I’ve greatly enjoyed having a structured Black salon on this level to attend from time to time, and get my brain food on. To just have access to a space I once could only read about in Harlem Renaissance history books.”

—L. Michael Gipson, Detroit

"This was powerful. I had always been taught that all of the intelligence was to be found in the suburbs. I have never been in a space like this in Detroit."

—Tone McKoy, Detroit

“Urban Consulate has been one of my favorite places to hang out since moving back to Detroit. It has been my go to spot when I am need of some real life, offline mental stimulation, enlightenment and dialogue with some of the most progressive thought leaders in the City, especially as it relates to Black people, Detroit, and otherwise underserved communities.

It is like our very own ‘House of Intellectuals.’ It’s where all the grown and sexy intelligensia in Detroit go to knowledge share and congregate. Claire and Chase have done a magnificent job of creating a safe and inspiring space to have a legit exchange with other like-minded people. Thank you!”

—Tanya Stephens, Detroit

“Every time I have had press, it’s always been about my musical activity. This is the FIRST time I’ve been on a full TV appearance for my commitment to empowering people through radical, agape love. It’s been a real treat for my soul. Urban Consulate trusted me and I am forever grateful for having a seat at the table. As always working with Naimah Bilal brings the best outta me and anyone in front of her!! Blessed to call ya family.”

—Aprinasrevolutionarylove, Cincinnati

I ❤️ every human in this photo. Each day I recite a mantra of gratitude for the abundance of community the Urban Consulate family provides. This past Monday’s Cross-City Exchange and our very first public salon since the onset of the pandemic affirmed this abundance at new levels.

—Naimah Bilal, Cincinnati

“We were instructed to discuss urbanism, but this was a physically distanced cookout re: cities. I love Orlando Bailey and Tamika Butler. When either of them holler I’m like, “Where and when fam?” I’m honoured to be part of this exceptional series.”

—Jay Pitter, Toronto

"Grateful for your interesting house of community and conversation. Happy Thanksgiving to all the guests, conversationalists, listeners, and those especially who provide the unique place of welcome and thought."

—Lisa Rennell, Detroit

“What a pleasure it was to have a nuanced and thoughtful discussion about how our identities, cultures and capacity for healing intersect, overlap and inform each other. There were some powerful moments when our connection was so palpable. When our joy and passion for one another and our people(s) came through. It was a pleasure to sit with two people motivated by love of Black people and a sincere investment in our well-being. And the humility and curiosity that allowed for deep listening and great understanding. Thank you, Urban Consulate, for pulling us together around this metaphorical bowl of (Jollof) Rice for us to connect and truly behold one another. Here's to reconvening again for another filling meal of soul food around the communal bowl.” 

– Phyllis Jeffers-Coly, Senegal

“There is a great civic awakening underway. People like all of you, who have been showing up — in person, and now together online — we’re all yearning for the same thing: community, meaning and purpose. It’s really an honor to be a part of this series and the entire endeavor, that this community gathers this way, is an inspiration. It’s awesome to be part of this.”

— Eric Liu, Seattle

“The most important and beautiful things that people have to offer are their presence and their differences. Having honest, open, and courageous conversations can allow us to better understand what others bring to the table, and to grow as empathetic humans.”

— Grant Elliott, Chicagoland

“In gratitude for being exposed to Urban Consulate via The Mercantile Library over the past few months. A recent series, “We Built This,” was packed full of powerful creations in motion by Black community leaders and visionaries.”

— Economics of Compassion Initiative, Cincinnati

“The Blackness in America dinner was incredible. Not just the food, but the honest conversation which I don’t think I could have experienced at just any other event. I think this is what the Consulate can do best: host raw dialogues that the universities, businesses, non-profits, etc probably won’t because of political sensitivities.”

— Anonymous, Detroit

“Courageous Conversations has given me exactly what I was looking for — opportunities to hear new voices and new perspectives. One of my favorite takeaway quotes is: ‘I never learn anything from hearing myself talk.’”

— Carol Nelson, Chicagoland

"Thank you Urban Consulate & Global Detroit for giving me the opportunity to share my immigrant stories. As we unearth pains and laughs and misconceptions and discomfort, we also opened the can of that Afrotopian future, a dream shared by thousands of people throughout the diaspora yearning for a deeper dive, deeper connection, deeper understanding.

—Fatou-Seydi Sarr, Detroit

“Courageous Conversations have helped me stick with conversations that are sometimes uncomfortable but ultimately give me perspective on the breadth and diversity of perspectives on fundamental issues.”

— Susan Padula, Chicagoland

“Through Courageous Conversations I am learning that recognizing the diversity and disparities in our many life experiences allows a community to grow in such beautiful ways. Without the courage to speak, listen, and understand, we lose the ability to see our connected future.”

— Ellaine Sambo-Reyther, Chicagoland

“Building from the meaningful work they've been doing, the [podcast] offers a series of reflective, personal conversations that engage both heart and mind while asking how we make sense of this moment in history, grow through openness and curiosity, and create an equitable future where everyone belongs. Their conversations model the power of getting vulnerable and listening generously to one another as we take up the difficult but important questions of our time within the context of our individual lives.”

— Eddie Gonzalez, On Being, New York City

"Courageous Conversations gives me a space to grow as an activist and advocate, while allowing me to be vulnerable enough to recognize my own shortcomings. I keep coming because these are truly some of the best people I’ve ever met, and to keep learning how to make our community better. It’s been such a life changing experience! It has really given my life such purpose and I’m constantly grateful to be surrounded by all ya’ll amazing people.”

— Abigail Bergan, Chicagoland

Illustration: Donald Kilpatrick (Urban Consulate, Detroit, 2017)

F E E D B A C K

Would you like to share a story or suggestion from a Consulate experience?

Thank you!