I was fortunate enough to attend First Lady, Michelle Obama’s, recent address to high school and college students at Wayne State University’s Adams Field on May 26th. Delivering an inspirational message of ncouragement, Mrs. Obama reminded students that both she and the President came from humble beginnings; but with hard work and perseverance, both were able to obtain their dreams through education.

It was refreshing to have our national leadership recognize the significance Detroit has played in the historical success of our country. Reminding students that Detroit “is still the city that built from scratch, the greatest middle class the world has ever known” and that Detroit is still the city that built “an arsenal of democracy that led this world to freedom.”

Too often we forget all that Detroit has given the world, and the assets that made us the country’s leading industry are still here for us waiting to be re-imagined and re-deployed. That being said, Mrs. Obama stressed the value of discipline and hard work. The First Lady asked the audience to “embrace the responsibility of being our future.”

Encouraging students to make time for community, Mrs. Obama urges students to “Fight for every inch of your future. But take a little time each week to lift up the families, and neighbors, and schoolsthat need your help today.”

The First Lady’s message really hit home for me in the way I now view my profession and my participation in CREW Detroit. When I first joined CREW over 15 years ago, I must admit, my sole rationale was because it seemed like
a good place to network and meet people who would lead to “finding deals.” Back then, nothing was more important than closing and getting paid.

For many years, I viewed my committee and volunteer work as an obligation; I did it because it was the “right thing to do”. From that perspective, I never experienced the joy that comes from giving your time, energy and resources to a cause you REALLY believe in. For those of you who are having that experience
- STOP NOW! I guarantee you are not giving the best of yourself to the cause, and the dread and guilt you undoubtedly heave on yourself is completely unnecessary. I challenge you to really reflect upon the mission of the organization and confirm whether or not you are compelled to support it.

Today, I look at my work and CREW service with much more purpose and meaning. As real estate professionals, our work IS community development. Through that lens, very few professions have as much impact on the day-today lives of people and the communities they live in. Viewing real estate from that perspective is much more powerful and meaningful.

Serving on the CREW Detroit board has stretched me personally and professionally. Beyond the personal relationships I’ve developed over the years, the leadership training and experience has been invaluable to me personally and professionally. That’s why the CREW Careers, UCREW and CREW Foundation initiatives are so important to me. As I enter middle-age (I can’t believe I just said that!), I am so grateful for the extraordinary career I’ve created in commercial real estate. It has been an incredible ride and I am compelled to do what
I can to expose young women to the possibilities that are available to them through our industry.

As a final point, the First Lady encouraged students to seek out ways to expand their horizons through opportunities to study, volunteer or travel abroad. Through travel, students can experience the value of diversity and understand the interconnectedness of our global environment, “It’ll advance your education; it will expand your sense of possibilities; and it will make you more competitive for the jobs of the future. But more importantly it will also show you just how much we all have in common -- no matter where we live in the world.”

Having just returned from an extraordinary trip from the Middle East (via an invitation from Jumana Judeh, a fellow CREW Detroit member), I echo Mrs. Obama’s challenge. Seeing the challenges other countries face allowed me
to gain a new appreciation and understanding of the extraordinary freedoms and privileges we are given as citizens of the United States. It is these freedoms that allow us the opportunity to create “The American Dream”.
So whether you serve as a CREW Detroit board member, a board member of another non-profit organization or as mentor to a child or a young professional-take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary opportunity you have to
make a difference in the lives of others and give your best effort. Finally, thank you for your service to our community. 

Rachele Downs
2010 CREW Detroit President