'It's A Vibrant Environment': Meet The People Of Detroit

Jenna Amatulli and Damon Dahlen

Detroit was the twelfth stop on our Listen to America road trip. HuffPost chatted with folks in Campus Martius Park to find out what brings them to the city. Here’s what they had to say:

“This is a beautiful city. It’s a tough city, but it got a lot of love here.”

― Anthony Diggs (left), 36, unemployed

“Detroit was the foundation of America ... Everything starts from here first.”

― Charles Gathright II (center), independent contractor

“I ain’t seen a city like it. No better, no worse.”

― Horace Chivers (right), 28, support associate

“I’ve been dancing here for about two years ... It’s been absolutely amazing.”

― Zofia Bochenek, 18, student

“With all its problems, I still love it as a city.”

― Mace Williams, 75, retired

“It’s a diverse culture ... You can walk the streets and feel a little safer these days. It’s a vibrant environment.”

― Kelly Smith, 37, health care Medicare operations

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“I started out in southwest Detroit and I now live in downtown Detroit and I love my city.”

― Candace Cooper, 41, private contractor

“I moved to downtown by accident, but I loved it. And I still love it. This town has embraced me ... Detroit’s people are very soulful.”

― Joe Smith, 47, musician

“The main project I’m working on down here is trying to bring Major League Soccer to Detroit. Soccer is my passion, and Detroit is one of my newest passions.”

― Brennan Smith, 27, project manager

“I love going to Eastern Market, love coming down to the Opera House for the operas, the ballet. The waterfront is beautiful ... I love the fact that Detroit is being revitalized.”

― Miriam Bochenek, 58, event planner

“I’m here to educate kids on the classical ballet form.”

― Sergey Rayevskiy, 37, artistic director of Ballet Detroit

Also on HuffPost

The HuffPost tour bus sits in front of the Renaissance Center, which is owned by General Motors, in Detroit on Oct. 4, 2017.
The HuffPost tour bus sits in front of the Renaissance Center, which is owned by General Motors, in Detroit on Oct. 4, 2017.
Rowaida Abdelaziz (right) signs up Kelly Smith, Rachel Kristensen and Kristine Rouleau on Oct. 3 as part of "Listen To America: A HuffPost Road Trip." The news outlet will visit more than 20 cities on its tour across the country.
Rowaida Abdelaziz (right) signs up Kelly Smith, Rachel Kristensen and Kristine Rouleau on Oct. 3 as part of "Listen To America: A HuffPost Road Trip." The news outlet will visit more than 20 cities on its tour across the country.
People wait to be interviewed during HuffPost's visit to Detroit.
People wait to be interviewed during HuffPost's visit to Detroit.
Jo Confino leads prospective interviewees to the bus.
Jo Confino leads prospective interviewees to the bus.
Hassan Sheikh (center) is interviewed during HuffPost's visit to Detroit.
Hassan Sheikh (center) is interviewed during HuffPost's visit to Detroit.
Thomas Gregovich and Sarah Barford play cornhole.
Thomas Gregovich and Sarah Barford play cornhole.
Wendy Agbay, Christy Barford, Thomas Gregovich and Sarah Barford play a game of cornhole.
Wendy Agbay, Christy Barford, Thomas Gregovich and Sarah Barford play a game of cornhole.
Wendy Agbay and Christy Barford play a game of cornhole.
Wendy Agbay and Christy Barford play a game of cornhole.
Elynn Royster plays jumbo Jenga.
Elynn Royster plays jumbo Jenga.
Elynn Royster and Adam Goldberg compete in jumbo Jenga.
Elynn Royster and Adam Goldberg compete in jumbo Jenga.
Adam Goldberg (left) speaks with Mace Williams during HuffPost's visit to Detroit.
Adam Goldberg (left) speaks with Mace Williams during HuffPost's visit to Detroit.
Brennan Smith is interviewed by Susannah Gruder.
Brennan Smith is interviewed by Susannah Gruder.
Dancers from Ballet Detroit pose for a photo in front of the bus.
Dancers from Ballet Detroit pose for a photo in front of the bus.
Audience members listen during the "How the Arab and Muslim Community Is Still Coping After 9/11" event at Byblos Banquet Hall in Dearborn, Michigan.
Audience members listen during the "How the Arab and Muslim Community Is Still Coping After 9/11" event at Byblos Banquet Hall in Dearborn, Michigan.
Abdullah Hammoud speaks to the audience.
Abdullah Hammoud speaks to the audience.
Rowaida Abdelaziz speaks to the audience, as Chris Mathias listens.
Rowaida Abdelaziz speaks to the audience, as Chris Mathias listens.
Nabih Ayad speaks to the audience.
Nabih Ayad speaks to the audience.
Bill Bazzi makes his point.
Bill Bazzi makes his point.
Moderator Osama Siblani speaks to Bill Bazzi during the "How the Arab and Muslim Community Is Still Coping After 9/11" event.
Moderator Osama Siblani speaks to Bill Bazzi during the "How the Arab and Muslim Community Is Still Coping After 9/11" event.
Imam Sayed Taki Hassan speaks to the audience.
Imam Sayed Taki Hassan speaks to the audience.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.