Wo We Are

Once upon a time, in the heart of the Midwest, there stood a city unlike any other—a city forged in fire, built by calloused hands, and strengthened by an unyielding spirit. This was Detroit, a land of dreamers and doers, where resilience was not just a word but a way of life. It was a city that had weathered storms, seen its fortunes rise and fall, yet never once surrendered. Detroit Got Grit.

Perhaps it comes from our roots, from the very name bestowed upon us by the French—"Détroit," meaning "strait." But despite the implication of a straight path, we Detroiters have never chosen the easy road. We carve our own way, moving forward with determination, even when the world doubts us. Perhaps it is found in the city's seal, proudly etched into our history, declaring, "Speramus meliora; resurget cineribus"—"We hope for better things; it will rise from the ashes." And rise we have, time and time again. It is in our DNA. Like the champions who don our city’s jerseys, we don our history, our hardship, and our triumphs as badges of honor. We do not just survive; we overcome.

Detroit Got Grit is more than a phrase—it is a culture, a movement, a rallying cry. It is the embodiment of a people who refuse to be defined by adversity, who transform obstacles into opportunities. We are the heartbeat of industry, the birthplace of the automobile, and the soundtrack of America’s soul. We are Motown, a city that sings even in its darkest hours. We are the artisans, the engineers, the musicians, and the makers who never stop innovating.

Look at our streets, where murals tell stories of perseverance. Look at our neighborhoods, where community means lifting each other up. Look at our sports teams, where grit is measured not just in victories but in the sheer will to fight until the final whistle. We see it in our businesses—new and old—thriving despite the odds. We see it in our people, those who stayed and those who returned, committed to rebuilding something greater than before.

Detroit is no stranger to struggle, but we embrace it as part of our legend. Every challenge we face only makes our resolve stronger. We do not back down. We do not break. We rise. Again and again.

So when the world looks at Detroit and wonders how we do it, how we keep pushing forward despite every setback, the answer is simple: Detroit Got Grit. And so do you.

With love and perseverance, 

Detroit Got Grit