The work of Kresge’s early childhood partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation was the focus of a session and webcast on Thursday, June 1, at the Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island.

The initiative, Hope Starts Here, is a citywide visioning and planning process that will share a framework later this year for strengthening early childhood outcomes in Detroit by 2027. Michigan ranks 31st in overall child well-being, according to data published in 2016 by the Annie. E. Casey Foundation. In Detroit, nearly 30,000 eligible young children have no access to high-quality early learning and care options.

A panel discussion about the initiative and the need for strengthening early childhood systems will feature Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Brightmoor Alliance Executive Director Rev. Larry Simmons along with Kresge Foundation President and CEO Rip Rapson and Kellogg Foundation President and CEO La June Montgomery Tabron.

The discussion will include a new video that captures images and reflections of Detroiters who took part in the city’s first Day of the Young Child last month. Nearly 500 Detroiters took part in conversations about making Detroit a world-class city for its youngest residents.

Kresge and Kellogg also are co-hosting a second discussion in the afternoon about how the entire state can benefit when early childhood development is the basis for economic recovery and revitalization.

The annual Mackinac Policy Conference is sponsored by the Detroit Regional Chamber.