Authored By Furqan Khaldun, Detroit Champions for HOPE, Hope Starts Here
Standing in the Chroma Building last month for the 2026 Detroit Early Childhood Policy Table, I couldn’t help but look back to 2017. When Hope Starts Here (HSH) was first formed, we were a collective of community members and Detroit-based organizations fueled by a single vision: Making Detroit a city that puts children and families first. We developed a community framework grounded in thousands of Detroit voices. To feel that same energy in the vibrant, interactive convening we held at Chroma is a testament to the spirit of Detroit and the enduring collective commitment we have to, for, and with Detroit’s children and families. Over the past decade, we have moved from setting a framework to delivering transformative policies, programs, practices, and partnerships.
The Power of Direct Dialogue
The value of the 2026 Policy Table lay in its design & its attendees. It wasn’t just a presentation, but an interactive space for direct dialogue. We brought together families, providers, community members, advocates, and policymakers. Participants engaged in deep-dive roundtables covering essential early childhood areas.
The Parents & Families discussion roundtable, co-hosted by Hope Starts Here Imperative 2 Lead, Detroit Champions for Hope, alongside the Detroit Parent Network, focused on engaging Detroit families in shaping solutions.
The Workforce & Child Care discussion roundtable, co-hosted by Hope Starts Here Imperative 3 Leads – Centers for Family Development, Inc. and the Early Childhood Investment Corporation – alongside the co-leads for Region 10 of the Regional Child Care Coalitions, IFF (also Hope Starts Here Imperative 4 lead) and the Detroit Regional Partnership, convened early childhood providers to discuss barriers, needs, and challenges in the child care landscape.
The Maternal & Child Health discussion roundtable, co-hosted by Hope Starts Here Imperative 1 lead, Henry Ford Health System, alongside Hope Starts Here Imperative 6 Lead, Mothering Justice, focused on the health of Detroit children and mothers.
The Early Childhood Funding discussion roundtable, co-hosted by Think Babies Michigan and the Early Childhood Investment Corporation, explored the scope and implementation of public and private funding streams.
Finally, the State Policy and Budget Table, co-hosted by the Early Childhood Investment Corporation and the Michigan League for Public Policy, focused on updates around current early childhood policy and budget concerns as budget season is underway.
The presence of elected officials like Senator Stephanie Chang, Representative Regina Weiss, and representatives for Senators Erika Geiss and Mary Cavanagh signaled a major shift. Lansing lawmakers coming to Detroit weren’t just observing, they were participating in discussions centered on their constituents’ lived experiences and needs.
A Resounding Community Response
The response from our community was overwhelming and exceeded our expectations. We saw a strong turnout from families and direct service providers alike, with a notable increase in participation from fathers and male caregivers. Providing free on-site child care, transportation assistance, parking validation, and food allowed attendees to fully engage and be present without worry.
Local coordination and on-the-ground collaboration were praised by partners, reinforcing that our community-driven approach is working. By centering Detroit parents, providers, and advocates, the event felt authentic and grounded, and the Chroma space buzzed with energy, excitement, connection, and joy. Detroit-area policymakers came to connect with constituents and experience the collective hope growing in Detroit.
The sentiment in the room was clear: Detroiters are ready to influence the decisions that shape their lives, and creating a space to uplift community voice offered a powerful opportunity to connect with local representatives and exert that collective influence. As one of our partners noted, the energy reflected a movement where community voice is the critical driver for building responsive systems, and we are so grateful to the lawmakers and legislative staff who joined us for this shared moment.
Our Path Forward
Hope Starts Here’s work continues, with the ultimate goal of building an early childhood system that is truly sustainable, accessible, and high-quality for all Detroit families. As part of this goal, we continue to ask that state lawmakers prioritize early childhood in the upcoming state budget.
This work will continue to be done in partnership with the community, and we look forward to the opportunity to host additional convenings and begin planning for the 2027 Detroit Early Childhood Policy Table. For those who were unable to attend this year’s event, please visit our Digital Resource Folder for opportunities to learn, engage, and connect. Finally, you can sign up for newsletters from Hope Starts Here to stay informed and join the movement of making Detroit a city that puts children and families first.
Since 2017, we have been working toward a sustainably resourced system for Detroit’s families. The 2026 Detroit Early Childhood Policy Table proved that when we bring everyone to the table, HOPE GROWS!