On screen:

This video opens in a studio with exposed brick walls, where a man sits wearing a suit, sunglasses, fedora, and an ascot-style tie. An unseen director gestures from behind the camera.

Director:

Everything's going to be edited, all that kind of stuff.

Tylass Bivins:

This is one take. I'm going to say what I mean and mean what I say.

On screen:

Text appears over black:

Text on screen:

'If these walls could talk, what would they say? We sat down with people from Detroit to hear their stories.'

On screen:

Identifying text appears beside a man in a navy suit and glasses:

Text on screen:

'Kirby Burkholder, CEO, IFF.'

Kirby Burkholder:

Detroit's a city that has its fingerprints and inspiration all over American life. It's industrial and rough and tumble, and incredibly beautiful and complex.

On screen:

Aerial views drift over the outskirts of downtown, and sunlight reflects off city buildings. Kirby sits at a studio table with the director, laughing and chatting as they make collages.

Kirby Burkholder:

IFF champions nonprofit organizations across the Midwest to support transformational community development. IFF has invested $169 million in projects in the city of Detroit since 2014.

On screen:

Kirby presents his collage to the director, then writes the word 'Courage' on a red brick. He high-fives the director.

Kirby Burkholder:

$169 million in the hands of those changemakers can help community development organizations redevelop vacant lots. Those vacant buildings can become early childhood centers, those vacant buildings can become schools, and the area around those schools can have a cascading effect.

On screen:

Toy shelves fill a sunny playroom in a childcare facility with a neatly landscaped courtyard. Then, a woman in a black dress and glasses gestures to the director. They fist-bump as they begin.

Vernita Moore:

I'm going to look at you.

[giggling]

On screen:

Identifying text appears:

Text on screen:

'Vernita Moore, Family Advocate, Matrix.'

Vernita Moore:

Matrix Human Services is a nonprofit organization that helps families and children throughout Detroit.

On screen:

The director shows her around the studio, and they chat as they make collages.

Vernita Moore:

They offer programs such as Head Start and Early Head Start to support children education and help children get ready for school. My goal, always with the parents, is to make sure they get what they need to get out of poverty by the end of the school year. If you're not happy, your kids won't be happy at home. That's always my goal, and that's something I always want to hear, is I got the job, I got the house, I got the car. That's all I want to hear.

On screen:

She writes the word 'Growth' on a red brick. Then, a woman in a blazer with jeans and sneakers smiles as she does an elaborate handshake with the director. Identifying text appears:

Text on screen:

'Katy Trudeau, President and CEO, Eastern Market.'

Katy Trudeau:

The Eastern Market has been operating in the city of Detroit since 1891. We are the largest continually operating open-air market in the country.

On screen:

Visitors browse produce and colorful flowers at an open-air market.

Katy Trudeau:

Eastern Market, for over a hundred years, has been a place where entrepreneurial folks have come to start and grow businesses. Where it's become unaffordable to do that on your own, we as an organization have developed programs to help businesses get started and grow.

On screen:

Katy chats with the director as she makes a collage, then writes the word 'Resilient' on a red brick. Then, the man in the suit and hat plays rock-paper-scissors with the director. The director wins.

Tylass Bivins:

Hey!

[laughter]

On screen:

Identifying text appears:

Text on screen:

'Tylass Bivins, Resident, Clay Center.'

Tylass Bivins:

My apartment is a beautiful apartment. It's very comfortable. And the reason why is because of the management team of the property.

On screen:

Tylass shakes hands with the director as he arrives at the studio, then they chat as they make collages.

Tylass Bivins:

They address any problem that you have immediately. They always have some type of event for the people there to bring them together. You know, you carry your home with you wherever you go.

On screen:

A man in a zip-up vest and glasses holds a clapperboard:

Justin Golden:

Justin Golden, take 1, the only one. I'm kidding. Can I just, can I redo that?

On screen:

He smiles as he makes a collage with the director. Identifying text reads:

Text on screen:

'Justin Golden, Co-Founder, Greatwater Opportunity Capital.'

Justin Golden:

Greatwater, much like Detroit, is a developer of firsts. What makes us unique is that we are one of the only real estate developers that focuses on rental housing through our apartment business, but we also help people graduate into home ownership.

On screen:

Justin adds a record player to his collage, which spells out the word 'Grit.' Photos show a red-brick apartment building with modern, sun-filled units. He writes the world 'Original' on a brick, then plays catch with the director.

Justin Golden:

We created a program so that our renters can get down-payment assistance to buy that first home and stay in the city of Detroit. That's what we want: We want more residents here, and we want people to stay.

On screen:

Kirby holds up his brick:

Kirby Burkholder:

If these walls could talk, they would say, "Courage."

On screen:

Vernita shows her brick:

Vernita Moore:

They will say, "Growth."

Katy Trudeau:

They will say, "Resilience."

Tylass Bivins:

They would say, "Self-worth."

Justin Golden:

If these walls could talk, they'd say "Original," because Detroit is a city of firsts.

On screen:

One by one, the words appear on a red-brick wall: Courage, Growth, Original, Resilience, and Self-Worth.

Narrator:

J.P. Morgan Community Development Banking understands that the buildings we invest in are more than just four walls. They are you. They are us. They are Detroit.

On screen:

Text appears over downtown Detroit:

Text on screen:

'If these walls could talk, by J.P.Morgan.'

On screen:

The video ends with a logo over black:

Logo:

J.P.Morgan.

Side note:

Legal disclosures appear beneath an icon of a house with an equal symbol:

Text on screen:

'Equal Housing Lender.

Chase, J.P. Morgan, and JPMorganChase are marketing names for certain businesses of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates and subsidiaries worldwide (collectively, “JPMC”, “We”, “Our” or “Us”, as the context may require). We prepared these materials for discussion purposes only and for your sole and exclusive benefit. This information is confidential and proprietary to our firm and may only be used by you to evaluate the products and services described here. You may not copy, publish, disclose or use this information for any other purpose unless you receive our express authorization.

These materials do not represent an offer or commitment to provide any product or service. In preparing the information, we have relied upon, without independently verifying, the accuracy and completeness of publicly available information or information that you have provided to us. Our opinions, analyses and estimates included here reflect prevailing conditions and our views as of this date. These factors could change, and you should consider this information to be indicative, preliminary and for illustrative purposes only. This Information is provided as general market and/or economic commentary. It in no way constitutes research and should not be treated as such. 

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END

Detroit is known for its resilience. In 2023, the city reversed years of population decline, signaling renewed confidence in the Motor City and its future.1 Still, affordable housing remains a challenge. Detroit has the lowest median household income among the 25 largest U.S. metropolitan areas.2 Roughly 60% of the city’s renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing—leaving less for essentials like groceries, utilities, childcare and medical expenses.1

Since 2016, Community Development Banking has invested $180 million in Detroit community development organizations helping create opportunities for residents and ease the affordable housing shortage, including:  

  • $105 million to develop and finance 743 affordable rental homes
  • $55 million in New Markets Tax Credit equity for schools and other facilities that provide essential community services
  • $20 million in Historic Tax Credit equity to preserve historic buildings while adapting them for new uses

It’s also one piece of the firm’s larger investment in Detroit’s future.

“Detroit has made significant progress over the last 10 years—thanks in large part to the proud and resilient members of the community. J.P. Morgan has supported the revitalization of the city, and I hope we continue to have the honor of supporting its future.”

 


Hear directly from Detroit residents shaped by these investments—and the people behind them. 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Visit jpmorgan.com/commercial-banking/legal-disclaimer for disclosures and disclaimers related to this content.

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