Formed in 2022, the Joe Louis Greenway Partnership (JLGP) was created to serve as the nonprofit partner to the Joe Louis Greenway, a public project led by the cities of Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck and Dearborn.
The Greenway is a 29-mile loop connecting Detroit’s Riverfront to neighborhoods in Detroit, Highland Park, Dearborn, and Hamtramck, incorporating the Dequindre Cut, Clark Park, Belle Isle, and Iron Belle Trail to create a safe, accessible route for walking, biking, and running that links neighborhoods, parks, jobs, and transit. The JLGP’s role is not only to support construction and long-term stewardship, but to ensure the voices of residents remain central throughout the process.
“Our role is to represent not only the cities the Greenway touches, but most importantly the residents, the actual people,” said Leona Medley, Executive Director of the JLGP. “Everything we do is rooted in inclusive and resident-centered practices.”
Community-Led Planning From the Beginning
Centering residents as leaders began long before construction. Community engagement directly shaped the creation, design and framework of the Greenway. This ensured that the project reflected what community members wanted and needed in their neighborhoods.
Residents were invited into a transparent planning process that recognized the long-term impact the Greenway would have on families and the community for generations. Their questions, concerns and recommendations were integrated into the Greenway’s design and framework.
Community participation continued throughout the two year long planning process, which included advisory councils and working groups made up of residents from Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park and Dearborn.
“We work across different demographic regions, but the majority of the communities we serve are Black and brown,” Medley said. “With that comes competing demands and challenging financial conditions. It can be difficult to keep residents prioritized, but that is exactly why it has to be intentional.”
This resident-led approach continues to guide how the partnership leads and invests along the Greenway.
Programming That Meets People Where They Are
In 2024 alone, the partnership hosted 29 unique programs over 105 days of programming, welcoming more than 3,000 attendees. Nearly 1800 of those participants were attending a Greenway event for the first time, including 886 children. The organization also led seven Joe Louis Greenway clean-up days and partnered with 83 community organizations and 33 vendors.
One example of this work was a fall event that merged a Halloween celebration with breast cancer awareness programming.
“The year before, we had a big Halloween event and hundreds of people showed up. Our breast cancer event had fewer than 100,” Medley said. “So, I challenged our team to merge the two. If people are already coming out for something fun, let’s also make sure they leave with information that could save lives.”
The result was a Pink’O’Ween celebration that brought more than 700 visitors to the Greenway. Families walked the trail together, connected with local churches and nonprofits, and accessed health resources in a setting that focused on welcoming over intimidating.
Inclusion as a Measure of Leadership
Many neighborhoods along the Greenway are multilingual and include residents who speak Spanish or Arabic as their primary language. The organization works to ensure event materials are translated, and interpreters are present whenever possible.
“These things are necessary, but they are often cost-prohibitive for nonprofits,” Medley said. “Funding from organizations like the Song Foundation allows us to say, from the moment we invite people out, that we are going to do our best to communicate with you.”
The Song Foundation’s Role
Medley credits the Song Foundation with making much of this community leadership work possible, particularly through its approach to trust-based philanthropy.
“From the application process alone, the Song Foundation sets itself apart,” she said. “Accessing funds is not cumbersome, and you do not need a full fundraising arm just to apply.”
She also pointed to the Foundation’s focus on building the capacity of Black-led and women-led organizations.
“The funding we received was the difference between serving 100 people and serving 700,” Medley said. “It allowed us to staff events properly, bring in partners and truly meet the needs of the community.”
Looking Ahead
As the Greenway continues to expand, the partnership remains focused on ensuring its benefits are tangible for the people who live nearby.
“The goal is to keep building a solid foundation so this organization can be a place for meaningful employment and community impact,” Medley adds. “Everything we do comes back to making sure the desires of residents are centered.”
The Joe Louis Greenway is one example of how regional collaboration can strengthen Southeast Michigan by connecting neighborhoods, cities and residents. The Song Foundation recognizes the JLGP for its community engagement, modeling ways to break down silos and deeply invest across communities.
To learn more about the Joe Louis Greenway Partnership, check out their website and social media pages.