Get to know: Christa ’12, ’14 and Zach ’10 Funk, working for a better world 

Individually, Christa and Zach Funk are pretty impressive. But together, this couple is a force, shaping lives and the city of Detroit each in different ways.  Christa ’12, ’14 is the executive director of Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars (DRDFS), a program that prepares students who might have thought a …

Get to Know: Shakesha Alexander ’19, helping animals help others

Animals have played an important role in shaping the life and work of Shakesha Alexander ’19.   The Detroit Mercy Social Work alumna remembers playing with cows and horses during childhood summers on her family’s Mississippi farms and growing up alongside household dogs.  Those moments sparked a love for animals, which …

Get to know: Michael Ford ’06, creating a new way to look at architecture

Michael Ford ’06 grew up surrounded by music. His childhood home was located above a church-sponsored activity center on a block where everyone knew each other’s names. The church would host everything from wedding receptions to kiddie disco nights, constantly filling the lower floor of the building with music. Ford’s …

Get to know: Faye Alexander Nelson ’75, ’81, working hard for the city she loves

In 2003, Faye Alexander Nelson ’75, ’81 became the inaugural president and CEO of Detroit RiverFront Conservancy.   Most people she talked to about the post told her it was a mistake, and that the project was a fool’s errand. No one wanted to visit downtown Detroit at the time and …