Mark Cuban, jessica Care moore, Wyclef Jean, Marcus Samuelsson, Amanda Saab and More Lead a Vibrant Day of Culture and Impact at Global Citizen NOW: Detroit

Detroit// July 10, 2025 — Today Global Citizen NOW: Detroit, the first US edition of the global action summit to take place outside of New York City, brought together cross-sector leaders and changemakers for a dynamic day of culture, creativity, and innovative solutions to elevate bold ideas shaping the future of cities. From music and entrepreneurship to public policy and urban development, the summit, presented by Bedrock, took place at The Department at Hudson's and presented thoughtful courses of action to attendees, designed to generate positive impact on urban landscapes across the U.S. and around the world.

Featured participants included George Opare Addo, Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, Ghana; Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa; Margaret Anadu, Senior Partner at The Vistria Group; Mark Cuban, Serial Entrepreneur and Co-Founder, Cost Plus Drugs; Wyclef Jean, Performing Artist, Composer, Activist; Tiff Massey, interdisciplinary artist; jessica Care moore, Detroit Poet Laureate, Founder, Black Women Rock, Author; Jessica Nabongo, Author, Global Travel Expert and Cultural Ambassador; Marvin Rees, former Mayor of Bristol, UK; Amanda Saab, Chef, Activist; Marcus Samuelsson, Award-Winning Chef, Restaurateur, Author, Activist; and Sangita Sharma, Director of the Delta Sustainable Skies Lab.

Major Moments and Highlights from Global Citizen NOW: Detroit –

• Detroit Poet Laureate, Founder, Black Women Rock, jessica Care moore opened the day’s program, paying homage to her beloved city with a passionate rendition of her poem You May Not Know My Detroit;
• Wyclef Jean was announced as a new Global Citizen Ambassador, and brought his native Haitian culture to the heart of Detroit with an unforgettable performance at the iconic Third Man Records;
• Mark Cuban took to the Global Citizen NOW: Detroit stage as both moderator and panelist, leading inspiring conversations on the impact of small businesses, entrepreneurship, and the importance of utilizing AI as a tool to democratize opportunities. He offered the audience countless pieces of advice, including giving them permission to roll their eyes at anyone who tries to tell them “no” when building a business, stating, “The only person who can tell you no is yourself!” He also shared, “People seem to think that when you’re starting a business, you’ve got to be tough and mean. No. I’ve made a lot more money being nice than being a d*ck.”
• Mona Co-Founder Andrew Leon Hanna announced the launch of the Detroit Access to Capital Initiative. In partnership with local organizations, the initiative will connect underbanked small business entrepreneurs to grants, aiming to deliver $1M in capital within the next year;
• Hitsville NEXT artists and 2025 Motown Museum Amplify Artist of the Year Remington Loyd and Jasmine Terrell brought attendees to their feet with a special Motown musical medley before the high-energy drumline performance by the DrumKINGZ captivated the audience with rhythmic beats, taking them to the streets for a special procession led by Wyclef Jean to the LOVE Building to close out the show;
• Goodera and Global Citizen unveiled a partnership on the AI for All Mission to make AI accessible. Through this initiative, the two organizations will mobilize over a million skilled volunteers, including thousands of AI engineers from leading technology companies, to share their time and expertise and empower communities worldwide with AI. 50 percent of the participants will be women and youth from underserved backgrounds;
• Sheefy McFly created a live painting on stage, a street art tribute to the city of Detroit, which was displayed for audience viewing for the remainder of the summit;
• Velvet Peanut Butter owner & CEO Mark Rieth announced plans to bring production of Velvet Peanut Butter back to Detroit in 2026 (from Georgia), creating new jobs in the community. They’ve also established a partnership with Forgotten Harvest Michigan to donate 35,000 jars of peanut butter to the organization’s food distribution center, supporting efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity;
• Global Citizen’s Young Artist Collective showcases the work of emerging designers and artists creating socially impactful work that drives civic engagement. The Detroit chapter of YAC featured works from local students who developed sustainable design solutions that enhance everyday life in urban communities, rooted in Detroit's local context; 
• Abdul Karim Abdullah, Founder and CEO of Culture Management Group, the parent company of AfroFuture Festival, gave out ten complimentary tickets to the U.S. debut of AfroFuture Festival, scheduled to take place in Detroit on August 16-17;
• Bridgewater’s Head of External Affairs & Communications, Ryan Drajewicz highlighted an ongoing initiative, Forecasting the Future: A Modern Economics Challenge, which aims to tackle the rise of modern mercantilism by opening the door to Bridgewater’s “idea meritocracy.” Applications for the challenge close on August 1; 
• Patty Graham, CEO Meridian Health, Michigan, in partnership with the Pro Football Hall of Fame, announced plans to bring the Strong Youth Strong Community initiative to Detroit with a series of programs for youth, launching this fall.

The summit underscored Detroit’s leadership as a hub for civic innovation and cultural impact. Earlier in the week, Global Citizen hosted two days of community service and celebration across the city focused on urban sustainability, food access, youth empowerment, and community resilience. The day was capped off by a block party at the LOVE Building and a live music event at Third Man Records featuring a performance from Wyclef Jean and special guests, celebrating Detroit’s rich musical legacy and the power of culture to drive social change.

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