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Detroit Regional Chamber > Economic Equity & Inclusion > Bill Emerson And Dennis W. Archer Jr.: Building Detroit For Detroiters

Bill Emerson And Dennis W. Archer Jr.: Building Detroit For Detroiters

May 29, 2019

Key Takeaways

  • Auto insurance reform, supported by Quicken Loans’ Dan Gilbert, was recently passed in a historic bipartisan deal in the Michigan Legislature. The deal serves as promising news for Detroiters, including those working in downtown Detroit, Emerson said.
  • Detroit is becoming the “techhub” of the Midwest with companies like LinkedIn, Waymo, and StockX in the city.
  • Culture drives business. Individuals should be empowered to innovate and create within their companies. They should be a part of the solution.
  • The Quicken Loans Community Fund’s Neighbor to Neighbor Report found that thousands of families living in at-risk properties were able to avoid tax foreclosure auctions because of the efforts of the Quicken Loans Community Fund and partners through canvassing and grants.

“We have been very intentional to make sure that the folks participating in the Rocket Mortgage Classic are a great representation across the spectrum of vendors and suppliers because it matters, it matters to the people of Detroit,” said Bill Emerson, vice chairman of Rock Holdings Inc. and CEO of Bedrock Detroit.

Emerson joined Dennis W. Archer Jr., CEO of Ignition Media Group and founding partner of Archer Corporate Services, on Wednesday, May 29 at the 2019 Mackinac Policy Conference.

The Rocket Mortgage Classic will be the first PGA event to take place in Detroit. Emerson discussed other dynamic events on the city’s radar, including Forbes’ Under 30 Summit beginning in 2019.

A downtown staple, Quicken Loans and its family of companies is invested in philanthropic endeavors. The company has focused on improving blight, safety, and jobs. The next effort is education.

“Jobs and the creation of jobs must be paramount if the city wants to stay on the trajectory that it’s on. We have to employ Detroiters.”