Detroit Families, Faye Nelson Of DTE Energy Speaks With Detroit Parent Network

By Sharlonda Buckman, CEO, Detroit Parent Network

Detroit's revitalization depends on strong, thriving families. I'd argue that we have plenty of great families, just not enough opportunities and support for them to develop. A part of Detroit Parent Network programming includes transforming parents through personal leadership and group development. When parents are powerful, families are powerful. As a regular part of Education Today, Detroit Parent Network will share the experiences of families in the city -- what matters to them, how they are doing -- and we will share ways you can get connected.

This week, I spoke with Faye Nelson, vice president of external affairs for DTE and president of the DTE Foundation. Faye is a lifelong Detroiter whose career has included serving as CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. Through the DTE Foundation, she identifies opportunities to support education, basic human needs, and other signature programs that support communities served by DTE, including Detroit.

Faye shared some of her memories as a young person growing up in Detroit in a family where her father was the sole provider working seven days a week and very long hours to allow her mom to stay at home and raise their children.

"Seeing my dad work so hard had a tremendous impact on me," she said. "He instilled the value of "Showing Up" and doing your job in the family which was going to school and getting a good education. You could not quit something you started, you had to see it through, and you had to show up." Faye added that these are the same values that she and her husband Al, of 26 years, instilled in raising their daughters.

On what she believes is the most pressing issue facing families today, Faye shared "I am very concerned about the lack of family structure. There is an enormous weight particularly for our single parents and we have to figure out how to rebuild the family." In keeping with her father's example and value of Showing Up, she stated "as a community we all have to show up and make a contribution."

*Content provided by our sponsor Michigan Education Savings Plan.