Pancakes & Politics III: Detroit Becomes Hub for Urban Policy Conversation

Emerging leadership that resists pressure and embraces potential is gaining prominence at a pivotal moment. On May 22, 2025, three mayors addressing policy failures and striving to rejuvenate their cities will convene in Detroit for Forum III of the Michigan Chronicle’s Pancakes & Politics series. The forum, dubbed Cities of Tomorrow: A Blueprint for Progress, features Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans, Mayor Andre Dickens of Atlanta, and Mayor Steven L. Reed of Montgomery, fostering a national discourse on governing urban environments.The 20th anniversary of Pancakes & Politics highlights critical discussions amidst Detroit's demographic resurgence and persistent inequities. The dialogue will explore difficult questions regarding leadership amidst generational stakes and systemic dismantling necessary for genuine progress, benefiting communities historically overlooked. As moderator Dennis Archer Jr. noted, this moment demands transformational leadership across cities like Detroit, underscoring the urgency for collaborative progress in governance.