Thoughts on technology, community, and building in Detroit
Last year’s goals weren’t about completion—they were about accountability. Through reflection, failure, and realignment, I was reminded that the most enduring systems aren’t defined by speed or scale, but by the values encoded into what we build.
Community tech is reaching a turning point — with mini-apps, embedded wallets powered by account abstraction, and x402 payments making seamless onboarding and real-world value exchange truly practical. Building Mystic Island at the inaugural Ethereum World’s Fair in Buenos Aires, and experiencing the city’s blend of architectural grandeur and economic complexity, highlighted how this infrastructure can unlock new creative, community-driven economies. This post reflects on that moment and why it matters for Detroit and beyond.
Our first build session brought together new and returning contributors to share updates and project ideas.
OpenOctober kickoff recap: creatives + technologists aligning to build open, local-first tools for Detroit. Submit your project by Oct 7.
At this month’s Vibe Coding meetup, we explored how AI tools like Cursor can speed up projects—or derail them without clear direction. I shared the Renaissance City LaunchPad, a cultural shift and support ecosystem empowering community organizers to build, own, and sustain their own technology.
At our latest VibeCoding session, developers are bringing ideas to life with a shared mission: build tools that empower community.
At Black Tech Saturdays on July 22nd, 30 founders took the stage to share bold, community-rooted ideas—from wearable tech to solar-powered EV solutions. The event showcased Detroit’s grassroots innovation in action, with five standout winners leading the charge toward a more equitable future.
As spiritual healer using AI and Web3 to build Solis Copia, Temple of Light, a nonprofit rooted in sound, retreat, and transformation, Rechelle's journey shows what’s possible when vision meets the right tools—and invites others to do the same.
The July Detroit Software Developers Meetup brought together "non-techies", new developers, seasoned engineers, and curious creatives to explore how APIs, AI, and Chainlink Functions are bridging Web2, Web3, and local ecosystems—all while connecting the communities of Detroit Blockchain Collective, Google Developer Group, Detroit Software Developers, and Detroit DevOps.
We’re building a community-powered AI system to organize, document, and amplify local voices—and we’re looking for a writer and video creator to join the team as Public AI Creative Fellows with a $5,000 stipend.
How startups, devs, and dreamers connect every month to move ideas forward
A flickering idea found its light in a mansion full of creatives, where I realized the path forward was to walk barefoot—building with care, clarity, and community.
How AI is reshaping software development, sharing lessons from building a voice-enabled article reader while emphasizing the importance of rapid prototyping, documentation, and staying adaptable in an AI-first workflow.
How non-technical founders can use structured prompts and no-code tools to go from idea to MVP — turning AI into a true co-founder
How managing AI-assisted development with fewer "turns per task" is key to staying productive
A journey from musician to technologist shaped MySalt.ai and inspired a community where AI becomes a creative tool for expression and exploration.
Whether you're coding full-time, launching a startup, or just exploring what’s possible, this meetup showed that AI-assisted development is no longer optional — it’s foundational.
What Detroit’s Creatives Can Learn from Community-Centered AI
Building a shared future, where infrastructure, immersion, and interactivity converge to power new forms of community expression and ownership.
DePIN = Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks
Interested in joining the movement? Follow the Detroit Blockchain Collective, hop into their Discord, or come to a future event. As Jeremy said: you don’t need to code, you just need to care.
And why it felt like a perfect reflection of thebarefoot.dev mindset
A veteran game developer reflects on 20+ years in the industry—and how AI is now enabling him to build complete games solo, from concept to launch. In this inspiring talk, he shares lessons from the ad tech world, why performance marketing matters more than ever, and how tools like Gemini and Unity are reshaping the future of indie development.
V0. Cursor. Replit. Lovable.dev. This blog helps you pick the right tool for where you are today—and where you're heading tomorrow.
KID INK. is a unique innovation platform aiming to empower students in Detroit. They aim to help students acquire both the technical and mindset-based skills they need for the future. The initiative, spearheaded by passionate parents and educators, is focused on equipping the younger generation with the tools necessary to succeed in the digital age.
How Detroit's developer community is building more than just software—we're building a city's future through technology, community, and authentic connections.
How Detroit's manufacturing heritage is shaping its digital future, and why the skills that built cars are perfect for building software.
How Detroit's artistic heritage is inspiring a new generation of creative coders, blending technology with the city's rich cultural traditions.
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