About

What is it?

The Millennial Mayors Congress is a partnership of city officials and rising leaders working together to address regional issues. Participating cities are represented by their mayor or another city official who exercises executive or administrative authority, and a resident "Millennial," or young adult aged approximately 18-35. All representatives work together to take coordinated action on economic, social and environmental issues of regional significance. The Millennial Mayors Congress uses consensus-based decision making and focuses on regional issues that can be acted on at the local level.

Read the Millennial Mayors Congress Charter: MMC_Charter_UPDATED_20090706.pdf

Why the Millennial Mayors Congress?

To prosper in the new economy, metropolitan regions must be able to concentrate talent and resolve issues that impede investment. Southeast Michigan is struggling to do both. A lack of viable mass transit, excessive barriers to urban redevelopment and a lingering rust-belt image are just a handful of issues that discourage commitments from business, entrepreneurs and young talent that has its choice of many cities to call home.

By engaging Detroit's next generation of leaders in shaping strategies for regional improvement, the Millennial Mayors Congress aims to create the places and opportunities that they find attractive. It is intentionally a partnership, in which young and experienced leaders work collaboratively to develop a common vision and achieve shared goals. Over the long term, the Congress will help the Detroit region overcome its long tradition of insularity and fragmentation by giving local leaders a tool to address greater-than-local concerns.

The Elusive “Millennials”

Definitions vary greatly, but "Millennials" are generally acknowledged as people born between 1978 and 1993. More importantly, their values and preferences—for example, "green" lifestyles, walkable communities, unique local businesses, cultural diversity and social responsibility—tend to drive New Economy investment and urban vibrancy. The term is used flexibly within the Millennial Mayors Congress.