Founder of Reddit

On July 18, 2013 Detroit becomes the largest city in U.S. history to file bankruptcy with a $18 Billion debt. What does this mean for the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan? We can question whether the tactics of how we got here were ethical, but we are here now. For decades we have transferred the responsibly from one administration to the next and it couldn’t be pushed any further. So what is next?

Is Detroit the Blueprint for the Nation?

Five years ago during the financial crisis that started in 2008 (I am specifically referencing the bailouts between 2008-2009) in the United States when the unemployment rate reached 10% the highest it has been since 1982, people began to lose faith in big government and big corporations. Detroit was at the epicenter of this crisis with the automotive bailouts. People began looking to reduce their dependence on an industrial society that had outsourced everything except its spirit of innovation and creativity. But something more interesting took place. The media and the nation began to take notice at what was happening in Detroit. There has been plenty of conversation that Detroit could be the blueprint for ‘Re-Invention’ for other U.S. cities. This was prior to yesterday’s announcement about filing Chapter 9 bankruptcy which will only continue to fuel this conversation.

I believe that Detroit has set a precedent that some other cities will follow. This point in history reminds me when Roger Bannister broke the 4-minute mile in 1954 when he ran a 3:59.4 mile. It was a milestone that at the time was viewed as untouchable. After the reality that breaking the 4-minute was possible a flood of runners surpassed the milestone.

The New Detroit

Can Detroit return to being a viable city after filing chapter 9? Can Detroit become the Paris of the Midwest again?

I am optimist about the ‘New Detroit’…

We know that we have to create jobs.

We know we have to attract and retain young talent.

We know we have to create a safe environment that people what to live, work and play in.

As an entrepreneur in the City of Detroit (the Brand Camp University office is located in Corktown at Ponyride Detroit.) I play in the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship and branding. Getting people, brands and organizations to embrace technology to drive their business in the new economy. I believe one of the aspects of creating this ‘New Detroit’ is addressing the following question….

Will the ‘New Detroit’ be an inclusive diverse Detroit that is attracting and retaining the brightest and best talent of ‘All’ ethnic backgrounds (including immigrants) and both genders?

Not only is it time to ‘Re-Build’ Detroit but it is time to ‘Re-Brand’ Detroit! Words from a Detroiter. It is time we tell the Detroit Story!

Brand Camp ’13 - NYC: Branding, Entrepreneurship + Technology Conference is a high performance learning experience designed to bring together talented minds to spark the creation and acceleration of ideas that sit at the intersection of technology, design and branding. Through a series of conversations, panel discussions and keynotes lead by respected thought leaders, Brand Camp is part conference and part transformational training ground.

This Year’s Theme Build, Innovate + Grow is geared towards sparking conversations in Austin, Boston, Detroit, Las Vegas and New York City that will spread ideas that matter around the world.

Conference Website: http://bit.ly/bcunyc13

Three Segments of the Conference

Build Sessions

These sessions were designed to provide you with the essential building blocks to structure ideas built for the new economy.

Innovate Sessions

These sessions were designed to challenge and disrupt conventional thinking and approaches to solving problems.

Grow Sessions

These sessions were designed to stimulate the way you nurture ideas, people and businesses.

The conference content will be segmented into three threads building, innovating and growing. and lead by thought leaders like Geoff Livingston, Jessica Lawrence, and Lynne d. Johnson to name a few. We will converge on on NYC during Internet ‘Week NY’ and We look forward to seeing you on Monday, May 20th at the Riverside Theatre.

Brand Camp University - Blogging Internship

Description Brand Camp University is seeking interns with strong knowledge and understanding of the digital media landscape. The internship positions require the individuals to be a great storytellers with strong critical thinking skills and creativity who are passionate about developing great content. This is an unpaid internship but would create opportunities to network and to build their portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Create blog post for the Brand Camp University website
• Respond to comments on blog post that they create
• Online outreach and promotion using Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and more
• Conduct interviews for blog post they produce

Requirements
Students applying for this internship ideally would be marketing/business/communications or Language majors but relevant experience trumps everything. The individuals would be required to have their own laptop and WI-FI connection and could work remotely. Location: Ideally the individuals work live in the metro Detroit area but this isn’t a requirement.

If your interested email Hajj Flemings at speak[at]hajjflemings[dot]com

The 2013 Build, Innovate and Grow Conference Series is launching in NYC on May 20th at the Riverside Theatre hosted by Brand Camp University. Branding, entrepreneurial thinking and technology are driving the ideas, companies and organizations that we are all building and growing. The Brand Camp experience is a collection of conversations, panels and keynotes lead by thought leaders. It has become a collision of corporations, entrepreneurs, creatives and technology that enables people to collaborate. The ‘Build, Innovate + Grow’ Conference Series was designed to spark conversations in Austin, Boston, Detroit, Las Vegas and New York City that will spread ideas that matter around the world.

Conference Content Focuses Around Three Topic Areas

Build Sessions These sessions will discuss how to build ideas that are scalable in a digital economy through collaboration, digital storytelling and technology. Innovate Sessions These sessions will focus on transforming ideas, companies and startups in the innovation economy.

Grow Sessions These sessions are designed to inspire individuals to grow ideas, people and organizations.

Confirmed Speakers

Kathleen D. Warner - COO of Startup America Partnership
Hajj Flemings – Founder of Brand Camp University Mario Armstrong - CNN Contributor/Digital Lifestyle
Jessica H. Lawrence - Managing Director of NY Tech Meetup (NYTM)
Lynne d. Johnson – Digital + Social Media Strategist at Waggeneredstrom
Andrea Harrison – Director of Digital Engagement at Pepsi
Anneke Jong – VP of Business Development at Bread
Jesse Middleton - Co-Founder of We Works Lab
Eric Hamilton – Co-Founder of Around the Way App

Registration: http://bcu13nyc.eventbrite.com

Past Attendees

Startup America Partnership, Ford Motor Company, GM, IBM, Google, Dell, ABC News, O’Reilly Media, TechStars, Ogilvy, Coca Cola, Absopure, Chrysler, U.S. Paralympics, McDonalds, Boston University School of Journalism, Boston College College of Law, Syracuse University iSchool, Northeastern University, Detroit Venture Partners, Union Square Ventures, Foley Hoag LLP, and Boston Startup School. The Brand Camp University - Build Innovate + Grow Conference is an official ‘Internet Week NY’ Event. We look forward to seeing you at Brand Camp!

Host of WNYC’s New Tech City

CEO/Founder of BurnBright Lifeworks, Inc.

We are happy to announce ‘Early Bird’ pricing for the Brand Camp: Branding, Entrepreneurship + Technology Conference in New York on Monday, May 20th.

Brand Camp University ’13 – NYC
Branding, Entrepreneurship + Technology Conference
The Riverside Theatre – NYC
May 20, 2013
9:00am-5:00pm

Register: http://bcu13nyc.eventbrite.com
Cost: $75 (Early Bird Ends 04/20/13)
$150 (Full Price)

Conference Theme: Build, Innovate & Grow NYC.

The conference focuses on creating a transformational learning experience around 5-core areas called BETAs:

BETAs [Branding + Entrepreneurship + Technology + Aspiration + Startups]
Brand Camp is a gathering of thought leaders, technologist, geeks, and creative’s around a discussion on branding, entrepreneurial thinking, social media and the use of technology. The purpose of Brand Camp is to change how people build, launch, and grow ideas and use technology as personal brands, entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs (employees), small businesses and corporations.

Confirmed Speakers
Hajj Flemings - Founder of Brand Camp University
Kathleen D. Warner - COO of Startup America Partnership
Jesse Middleton - Co-Founder of WeWork Labs
Mario Armstrong - CNN Contributor/Digital Lifestyle Expert
Andrea Harrison – Director of Digital Engagement at Pepsi
Jessica H. Lawrence - Managing Director - NYC Tech Meetup
Anneke Jong - VP of Business Development at Bread
Eric Hamilton - Co-Founder Around the Way App
Lynne d. Johnson - Digital + Social Media Strategy at Waggeneredstrom
Trevor Owens - Co-Founder of the Lean Startup Machine

Includes
Keynote sessions, panels, startup pitches and more.

Follow Online
Twitter: @BrandCampU
Facebook: http://facebook.com/brandcamp
Hashtag: #IWNYbcu13

We look forward to seeing you in New York.

Founder of Brand Camp University

COO of Startup America Partnership

Digital + Social Media Strategist at Waggeneredstrom

VP of Business Development of Bread

Digital Lifestyle Expert

Managing Director of NY Tech Meetup (NYTM)