Mark Crain

About Mark Crain

Part policy wonk, part creative spark, Mark is the kind of leader who can fund a million-dollar capital campaign by morning, draft housing policy over lunch, and still make time for a Ghibli-style family photo edit by dinner. He runs an economic development department like a seasoned strategist, but his heart beats for the community — whether that’s through interfaith media collaborations, nonprofit work with Dream of Detroit, or unlocking permanently affordable housing in his city.He\'s raising three strong sons, exploring spiritual and political histories, and outthinking the status quo with creativity challenges inspired by Da Vinci and Einstein. A grounded innovator with Detroit grit, Mark sees where things are going — and builds the road to get there.That\'s what ChatGPT said about me, at least :)To be more straightforward, I just finished serving as the Deputy Director of Economic Development for Wayne County, Michigan, where I supported business attraction, community development, and sustainability efforts across all 43 communities in our state\'s largest county.I also helped build Dream of Detroit, an initiative combining community development and organizing to revitalize a neighborhood and build a thriving community on the Westside of Detroit. DREAM is pioneering permanently affordable homeownership, developing an economic corridor, and organizing local residents with folks from throughout Detroit\'s metro-area Muslim community (we call our work faith-inspired, not faith-based).I like strategic challenges and executing with precision. And I look for professional, volunteer, and board roles that allow me to make a difference at scale.

Experience

1. Executive Director

   Dream Of Detroit

   Sep 2021 — Present

   Served as Founding Director after having guided the organization as a volunteer for 8 yearsManage our three program areas of housing development, economic development, and community organizing, as well as hold administrative and development functionsRepresent the organization publicly to local residents, media, investors, politicians, and other stakeholdersTo date, DREAM has mobilized $4 million dollars, activated more than 700 volunteers, trained 120 aspiring entrepreneurs, and is currently creating one of Detroit\'s first community land trusts. We hold partnerships across the city and have attained local and national media coverage of our work.

Education

• Northwestern University

  Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, African-American Studies

  2005 — 2009

Skills

• Wordpress
• Online Advertising
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Microsoft Office
• Fundraising
• Program Management
• Css
• Strategic Planning
• Management
• Project Management
• Community Outreach
• Powerpoint
• Online Communications
• Web Design
• Nonprofits
• Public Speaking
• Leadership
• Digital Communication
• Facebook
• Social Media
• Non-Profits