We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brittany Duesette Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brittany below.

Brittany , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Our mission is to reclaim, restore, and uplift underinvested neighborhoods in Detroit by creating safe, beautiful, and nourishing spaces where families can gather, children can play, and communities can thrive. This mission isn’t just a slogan — it’s personal.

I was born and raised in the city of Detroit. I watched as my neighborhood transformed from a bustling, close-knit community to a place burdened by blight, abandonment, and neglect. The corner stores closed, the playgrounds emptied, and over time, so did the sense of connection. But where others saw decay, I saw possibility. I knew that if no one else would invest in us, we’d have to invest in ourselves.

That’s why our work is so meaningful to me. Every flower bed we plant, every vacant lot we reclaim, every literacy program we launch isn’t just about beautification or programming — it’s about restoring hope and agency to people who’ve been overlooked for too long. It’s about showing our kids that their lives matter, their futures are worth fighting for, and that their neighborhood can be a place of pride.

This mission is rooted in my family’s legacy and my community’s resilience. It’s a promise to late Grandmother Lillie Frances Tilles, my children, my family, my neighbors and my community that we won’t wait for change — we’ll be the ones to build it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Detroit, Michigan. I was born and raised in this city, and I’ve always had a deep connection to the neighborhoods, the people, and the untold potential in the spaces so many have overlooked.
I got into this work not through a formal path, but through lived experience. As a mother raising sons, I often reflect on the city I remember as a child — a place where neighbors looked out for one another, where kids could safely ride their bikes down the block, and families gathered in parks and on porches. I wanted to create that same sense of connection, pride, and safety for our children and community today. I realized that if we wanted to see those memories brought back to life, we’d have to be the ones to build it ourselves — and that’s exactly what I set out to do.
Gratiot Findlay Neighborhood Association was born out of a desire to reclaim our neighborhood’s narrative and create tangible, visible change on our own terms. We focus on community revitalization through beautification projects, public safety advocacy, youth and adult literacy initiatives, urban agriculture, and neighborhood gathering spaces. Our services include hosting free seasonal community events, managing a community garden, operating youth summer programs, and working with local residents to activate vacant lots and offering realistic day to day resources within reach for our neighborhood.
The problems we aim to solve are layered. We have planned to address food insecurity through our Findlay in Bloom Community Garden, provide educational opportunities through our youth and adult literacy programs, and restore pride and safety to our streets with block clean-ups, art installations, and advocacy efforts. We also help connect residents to resources, provide small business support for local entrepreneurs, and advocate for equitable policy decisions that affect our neighborhoods.
What sets us apart is that we are by the community, for the community. Many organizations work in Detroit, but not all are led by people who live the experiences of the neighborhoods they serve. I walk these blocks, many of family members still resides within the city, and I make it my business to speak to the elders on our porches and the young people on our corners so my face is always familiar. Our work isn’t transactional — it’s relational. We don’t just offer services; we build trust, create space for joy, and nurture leadership from within.
What I’m most proud of is how far we’ve come with extremely limited resources. Within just a few months, we’ve begun to transform neglected spaces into gardens, hosted dozens of community events, fed families, distributed flowers to our neighbors for their yards, and began creating safe spaces for our community. We’ve built a foundation for hope where many had given up, and we’re just getting started.
The main thing I want people to know about me, Duesette and Company, and GFNA is that we believe in the power of community-led change. Our neighborhoods are full of resilience, talent, and untapped potential — they just need someone to believe in us and invest in our vision! I believe in us, and that’s the spark that has set the tone!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the moments that best illustrates my resilience happened during the early days of establishing the Gratiot Findlay Neighborhood Association. There was a vacant lot on Findlay Avenue that had become a dumping ground — old mattresses, broken furniture, overgrown weeds, and even abandoned cars. It sat directly across from homes where children played and elders sat on their porches, and every time I passed it, it felt like a reflection of how people outside our community viewed us: forgotten and disposable.

One Saturday morning, we started by picking up what we could by hand — bags of trash, small debris, and broken items. Then, someone else came with heavy equipment and completely removed the larger pieces of debris. The abandoned vehicles were moved. We never found out who did this for us, but we are deeply grateful. It was a powerful reminder that sometimes, community care comes from unexpected places.

I remember reaching out to city departments and officials for help clearing the lot, and being met with either silence or excuses. I was told there were no resources, no available crews, or that it wasn’t a priority. It would’ve been easy to get discouraged. But I knew if we waited for someone else to save our neighborhood, we’d be waiting forever.

So, we took action ourselves, gathering family members and neighbors, rolling up our sleeves, and continuing the cleanup work. We mowed down waist-high weeds and planted a few flowers we could afford. It took us all day, but when it was done, the energy on our block shifted. Neighbors who hadn’t spoken in years came outside to thank us. Kids started riding their bikes through the cleared space. It was no longer an eyesore — it was ours.

That moment taught me that resilience isn’t about having endless resources or waiting for perfect conditions. It’s about choosing to act, even when the odds are stacked against you. It’s about knowing your community is worth fighting for, no matter how small the victories may seem. That one cleaned-up lot became the foundation for our Findlay in Bloom Community Garden — and a living symbol that change can start with one person, one decision, and one act of defiance against neglect.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Managing a team and maintaining high morale starts with building genuine relationships and fostering trust. When people feel seen, heard, and valued, they naturally want to give their best. I make it a priority to create an environment where open communication is encouraged — where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, concerns, and successes without fear of judgment.

Clear and shared purpose is also essential. I remind my team regularly why our work matters — how it impacts real lives and builds stronger communities. Connecting daily tasks to that bigger mission helps keep motivation high, even when challenges arise.

Flexibility and empathy go a long way. Everyone has different strengths, challenges, and personal situations, so I try to meet people where they are and support their growth and well-being. Celebrating small wins publicly and providing opportunities for team members to lead projects or learn new skills also boosts confidence and morale.

Lastly, leading by example is crucial. Showing resilience, positivity, and accountability sets the tone. When the leader demonstrates commitment and care, the team often mirrors that energy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gratiot-findlay-nbrhassoc.org/gfna
• Instagram: gratiot.findlay.neighborhood