A thriving society establishes communities that collectively aim to achieve equity, social well-being, ecological health, and economic growth. The preservation of green spaces is one step toward this goal. If people neglect these spaces, the result could be blight, a cycle of decline, and depopulation—circumstances that are difficult to reverse. This is what happened in Detroit’s East Canfield Village.
Sisters Rhonda and Kim Theus have seen their childhood neighborhood—once housing a thriving community—be filled with vacant lots, empty homes, and little to no basic support systems. The forward-thinking women founded Canfield Consortium, a nonprofit community development organization, to connect with their roots and empower Detroit residents to stabilize and rejuvenate the East Canfield Village community.
The sisters found a lack of maintenance of residential and commercial properties, political disenfranchisement, and disinvestment as some of the root causes behind the community’s decline. Unpaid water bills and over-taxation resulted in illegal foreclosures, and this contributed to the deterioration of the once-thriving neighborhood. One thing led to another, and the result was widespread depopulation.
After the founders discovered that the city officials didn’t have a systematic plan to solve the problems in the neighborhood, they were distraught. That’s when they realized that grassroots efforts, spearheaded by those who understand East Canfield Village’s history, are the only hope to revitalize the community. Kim, the President, states, “We hope that through the Canfield Consortium’s initiatives, everyone realizes that we no longer have to leave our neighborhood to live in a better one. Our community is our legacy. It’s our responsibility to honor it.”
The first step in Kim and Rhonda’s plan for community rejuvenation was to listen to the resident’s concerns and hopes. Understanding the people’s needs allowed them to develop relevant projects. The residents brought up the increasing number of vacant lots that had become illegal dumping sites. The Theus sisters partnered with the Detroit Land Bank Authority to acquire some of the lots to build a community flower garden—the foundation’s first-ever initiative.
The project’s goal was to beautify the neighborhood and ingrain a sense of happiness and pride among the people. The garden was a complete success, as it transformed the vacant-lot-turned-illegal-dumping site into a vibrant space that signifies limitless possibilities when a community works toward the same goal. They then built another flower garden, and the people noticed that crime decreased. The improved environment promoted a renewed sense of ownership among the people and discouraged activities such as illegal dumping.
Canfield Consortium was thrilled to announce the East Canfield Art Park as its third project. The founders launched it to support local artists, expose the community to public art, and enrich the neighborhood’s cultural landscape. Featuring rotating exhibitions of Detroit artists, the Art Park officially opened in August 2021.
Vice President Rhonda Theus, President Kim Theus, Artist Jordan Weber
“Art tells a story,” says Kim. “We wanted to tell our story—Detroit and Black people’s history throughout civilization—to everyone. Art touches people more than simple words ever can, so we want people returning to our neighborhood after work to see something touching that represents their home.”
The Art Park featured New York-based artist Jordan Weber’s “New Forest, Ancient Thrones.” Weber is renowned for his work exemplifying social justice and environmental issues. Interestingly, his sculpture doesn’t only beautify the neighborhood. It also raises awareness regarding the environmental challenges the community faces. One of these issues is the pollution from a nearby auto manufacturing plant. Data is collected from the air quality monitor and a solar battery incorporated in the sculpture. The information gathered is vital for the foundation to advocate for policy changes that will hold corporations accountable for the impact of their harmful operations.
Canfield Consortium plans the Art Park’s second phase. The foundation intends to introduce a forest bathing element and plant conifer trees for air purification. The ultimate goal is to create a space where people can experience nature’s benefits even in an urban environment. Another project in the works is the establishment of neighborhood watches. These will help mitigate crime that has become widespread in the area.
These innovative initiatives slowly but surely rejuvenate the neighborhood. “We made sure to include positive images of Black people in all our initiatives. My sister Kim taught me how important it is to see these positive representations in our community,” Vice President Rhonda shares.
The President reflects on how much the organization means to her: “What we do at Canfield Consortium is very fulfilling that we feel it on a soul level. It’s not easy to revitalize the neighborhood. Not everyone’s built for the work we do, but revitalizing the community that raised us is exciting, and even if we look back through the years, we don’t regret making a difference.”
The founders share more plans for the future. Canfield Consortium will refurbish a six-unit building that was once the center of the community to attract new residents and businesses. It will house a barbershop, grocery store, hair salon, and even a record store. Its latest project—Bring Jack’s Back—will kickstart this initiative. In addition, the foundation is working on Canfield Connect. This project will make the neighborhood more walkable and accessible by building a non-motorized greenway.
Canfield Consortium needs support to continue turning East Canfield Village into a self-sustaining, thriving community. It welcomes funding, partnerships, or volunteering. Financial contributions will be allocated for renovating vacant properties and developing new community spaces. Meanwhile, volunteers can help with event support, garden maintenance, and spring cleanups. The foundation also invites like-minded businesses, artists, and other organizations to gather the resources and expertise to turn its visions into tangible realities.
