Wyclef Jean, Mark Cuban, Marcus Samuelsson and More to Convene in Michigan for Global Citizen Now: Detroit

Detroit, New York City // May 29, 2025 — Global Citizen NOW, the summit driving action to address the world’s most urgent challenges, is heading to Detroit, Michigan, for the first-ever U.S. edition outside of New York City. Global Citizen NOW: Detroit, presented by Bedrock, will take place on July 10, 2025 at Hudson’s Detroit. The centerpiece of three-days of activations led by Global Citizen in Detroit, the summit will feature leaders from across cultural sectors including Wyclef Jean, Performing Artist, Composer, Activist; Mark Cuban, Serial Entrepreneur and Co-Founder, Cost Plus Drugs; and Marcus Samuelsson, Award-Winning Chef, Restaurateur, Author, Activist. With a dedicated focus on the future of cities and urban revitalization through investments in people—particularly young adults, the event will convene leaders in government, philanthropy, entertainment, business, and advocacy with local policymakers, grassroots organizers, students, and more.

Leaders from across key sectors participating in Global Citizen NOW: Detroit include George Opare Addo, Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, Ghana; Ashley Shaw Scott Adjaye, CEO and Co-Founder, The Stories of Us; Clare Akamazi, CEO, NBA Africa; Margaret Anadu, Senior Partner, The Vistria Group; Hilary Doe, Chief Growth Officer, State of Michigan; Melanie Harris, President of Business Operations, Detroit Pistons; Isabelle Kamariza, CEO, Solid' Africa; 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, Bristol (UK); Sangita Sharma, Director of the Delta Sustainable Skies Lab; Robin Terry, Chairwoman and CEO, Motown Museum; Tashif “Sheefy McFly” Turner, Multifaceted Artist; with more names to be announced in the coming weeks. Global Citizen NOW: Detroit Co-Chairs in attendance will include Kofi Bonner, CEO, Bedrock Detroit; Randall Lane, Chief Content Officer, Forbes; Papanii Okai, Executive Vice President, Product Engineering, Rocket; Romeo Okwara, Retired Detroit Lion, Filmmaker, and Artist; Mary Sheffield, Detroit City Council President. 

Hosted by Global Citizen, the world's leading international advocacy organization on a mission to end extreme poverty, Global Citizen NOW: Detroit will drive action on scalable solutions that invest in health-centered development and community-first innovation. The thought leadership summit will be preceded by a city-wide Volunteer Day on July 8, presented by Urban Neighborhood Initiatives and Goodera, mobilizing local residents, corporate teams, and global citizens at UNI park for a hands-on service event that will focus on sustainability, food access, youth empowerment, and community resilience. Following the service event, a free block party to celebrate the Detroit community will feature surprise artists, DJ sets, and free pizza to provide a moment of community connection, celebration, and visibility for key nonprofits. 

Global Citizen NOW: Detroit programming will conclude with a live music event at Third Man Records featuring performances by Wyclef Jean and special guests, celebrating Detroit’s rich musical legacy and the power of culture to drive social change. 

As part of the Detroit summit, Global Citizen’s Young Artist Collective will present a new installation: Reimagining Green Neighborhoods & Shared Urban Spaces. The third edition will celebrate student-led visions for a more sustainable, inclusive Detroit with a public exhibition featuring multidisciplinary pieces from students at the University of Michigan, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Lawrence Technological University, University of Detroit Mercy, and the College for Creative Studies. The original artworks, including technical drawings, renderings, and models, will propose innovative, community-centered solutions for the city’s evolving urban fabric. This edition of the Young Artist Collective is proudly supported by Pentel of America. 

Global Citizen NOW: Detroit is presented by Bedrock, and supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Cisco, Delta Air Lines, PayPal, and media partner Forbes.

“As a multi-instrumentalist and Doctor of Music, the pulse of Detroit is unmatched when it comes to music,” said Wyclef Jean, Performing Artist, Composer, Activist. “I’m honored to be back on the Global Citizen NOW stage for the second time this year. This ain’t just about shining a light, it’s about walking hand in hand with each other to get out the dark times. Real issues, real voices, real change. And it starts right here, right now. Let’s go.”

“Cities are engines of creativity and innovation that have the potential to drive prosperous futures for all of us. As Detroit boldly invests in its people and their potential, Global Citizen is proud to shine a spotlight on this amazing community of artists, entrepreneurs, and advocates,” said Simon Moss,Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Global Citizen. “Detroit is leading the way, inspiring other cities to reimagine sustainable and inclusive development, and Global Citizen NOW: Detroit will explore how thoughtful investment can spur greater economic growth, opportunities for accessible infrastructure, food security, and much more.”

"The momentum building in Detroit is a powerful testament to the dedicated individuals driving its transformation," said Kofi Bonner, CEO, Bedrock. "Global Citizen NOW: Detroit will provide a crucial platform for fostering global dialogue rooted in collaboration, creativity, and community-driven progress. This moment, despite its complexities, signifies a shared commitment to building an inclusive city for current and future generations.”

The Detroit edition of Global Citizen NOW builds on the action summit’s expanding global footprint, following the fourth edition in New York, and the first-ever events held outside of the US held in Melbourne, Australia; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Paris, France in 2024. Later this year, the summit series will further expand its global footprint and head to Belém, Brazil; Seville, Spain; and Johannesburg, South Africa; bringing together leaders and advocates from around the world to drive meaningful action to end extreme poverty.

Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks, including major announcements on upcoming impact initiatives. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit globalcitizen.org/now/detroit.

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