Hope in Detroit

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General Motors' Headquarters in Detroit

Soon after Detroit filed for Chapter 9 Bankruptcy, rumors began to surface about the Detroit Institute of Arts selling off its artwork to raise much needed funds. Then there came reports that developers are “pushing for the city to sell” Belle Isle, a 982-acre island in the Detroit River for $1 billion. Supporters forecast that a privately owned Belle Isle would rival Singapore ‘as an economic miracle’, and that the island could generate ‘billions of dollars in desperately needed economic growth’, and become ‘a social laboratory for the western world’ — “an experiment in small government.” Meanwhile plans are in motion for a new Red Wings hockey arena despite the bankruptcy.  Continue  

Desiree Rogers Shares Secrets of Success with Meridian’s AWEP Group

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Desiree Rogers, CEO of Johnson Publishing LLC

There truly is no better way to learn the secrets of successful leadership than from the real-life experiences of leaders who, everyday, succeed because of and in spite of the complex challenges of leadership. On Monday, July 22, a distinguished group of African women entrepreneurs experienced this first-hand, when they met with Desiree Rogers, CEO of Johnson Publishing Company LLC, the publishers of the renowned Ebony and Jet Magazines.

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All Things British at Meridian International Center

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Congressman Holding (R NC-13) and Lord Hussain

Without a doubt, the birth of the royal baby has captured the attention of U.S. audiences. Many commentators have attributed American fascination with the royal family to the mystique of monarchy. But more importantly, it is an example of the strong historical, political, and cultural ties between the United Kingdom and United States. Fittingly, evidence of the shared values or “special relationship” between these two nations was on display during the week of July 22 – 26, 2013 at Meridian International Center. Continue  

Meridian Hosts African Women Entrepreneurs, July – August, 2013

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Former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, with the African Women's Entrepreneurship Group of 2010. Collectively, the group represented 34 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Photo: U.S. Department of State

From July 20 – August 10, 2013, Meridian International Center will administer the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (French AWEP) on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.

AWEP is one of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership projects, and will provide the women entrepreneurs with the opportunity to grow their businesses. These women have been grouped into three different sectors: agriculture (including poultry, biofuel, juice, cosmetics); fashion and textiles; and handicrafts and home décor. Their businesses employ anywhere from 5 to 500 people (including seasonal and part-time workers).  Many of them are exporting their products to other African countries, and others to Europe and Asia.  Only a small number are already exporting their products to the U.S.

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Meridian – More than 50 Years of Bringing Leaders Together

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White-Meyer House

For more than 50 years, Meridian International Center has been a place where global leaders come together and future leaders are found, but the history of diplomacy at Meridian’s campus spans over a century. Ambassador Henry White was the first owner of what is now the White-Meyer House at 1624 Crescent Place. The red brick Georgian home was completed in 1912 and designed by John Russell Pope, the well-known architect of numerous landmarks in the nation’s capital, including the Jefferson Memorial and National Gallery of Art. Continue