Grow Detroit’s Young Talent jobs program kicks off 10th year of summer employment

The annual Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT) summer jobs program has returned for its 10th year, and applications for the program are now open. The program matches Detroit residents ages 14-24 with employers in a wide variety of industries including manufacturing, IT, construction, entrepreneurship, and corporate work. An estimated 8,000 teens and young adults are expected to be matched up with employers this summer.  

The Grow Detroit’s Young Talent program was started a decade ago by the City of Detroit, the Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC) and Connect Detroit. During its tenure, the program has grown from serving roughly 5,000 teens and young adults in the first year to more than 8,000 in recent years. The program offers free transportation for enrolled employees through a partnership with the Detroit Department of Transportation. 

As part of Detroit PBS Future of Work initiative, host Stephen Henderson speaks with three guests connected to the GDYT program: DESC President & CEO Dana Williams, Connect Detroit VP of Programs Shuna Hayward, and past GDYT participant Naeema Muhammad.

They talk about the wide range of job opportunities the young people receive, how these experiences will help them as they pursue careers and post-secondary degrees, and what it takes to pull together the employers, funders and young people each year for this massive $13 million summer jobs program.

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View Past Episodes >

Watch American Black Journal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56.

Stay Connected

Subscribe to Detroit PBS YouTube Channel & Don’t miss American Black Journal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Detroit PBS, WTVS-Channel 56.

Catch the daily conversations on our website, FacebookTwitter, and Instagram @amblackjournal.

View Past Episodes

Watch American Black Journal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Detroit PBS, WTVS-Channel 56.

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