Jocelyn Benson, Big Sean Discuss Strategies to Grow Michigan’s Creative Economy

Yesterday, Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for Governor Jocelyn Benson joined Detroit-born artist and entrepreneur Big Sean, digital creators, and business leaders in Detroit for a conversation about Michigan’s creative economy. They discussed how the next governor can invest in the arts, support creative entrepreneurs, and build more opportunities for Michiganders in creative fields.

As governor, Jocelyn will be laser-focused on driving down costs and diversifying the economy. That means investing in our communities so Michigan can attract and keep talent, and making it easier and more affordable for entrepreneurs to build their business right here in Michigan. Jocelyn will use every tool in her toolbox to make Michigan the economic engine of the Midwest — including investing in growing industries like the creative economy.

“To grow Detroit it has to be creative because that’s the roots of our city, that’s always been it. Even every industry that’s ever been successful here, from the automotive industry—it was because Henry Ford was creative enough to come up with a plan, to come up with an assembly line, he was creative enough to say we should build a road that actually supports our cars properly,” said Detroit-born artist, Big Sean. “The reason Detroit has ever been as big as it was is because it was funded by creativity. So, to see you [Benson] in the position you’re in and about to be in — that we all support you being in — it’s nice to know that you know that the roots of this city are creativity.”

“By investing in the arts, we invest in mental health. We invest in power. We invest in storytelling. We invest in the ability of the next generation to find their voice and to fight for power, and fight for their own voice to be heard,” said Jocelyn Benson. “We will ensure there's an arts education opportunity in every school. We will take care of our art teachers to make sure they are supported and have the resources they need. And we will look to what other countries do to take care of their artists, from healthcare to other things, so that we can lead on those things.”

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