CC in the D

Passion and enthusiasm for the city of Detroit is the common denominator of these Catholic Central grads. Spending their energy and experience in very different ways, these Shamrocks are making the city better every day.

Matt Cullen ’74

CEO of Bedrock Detroit

Fast forward to 2008, when Matt began working for Dan Gilbert who had big plans for the city. Matt was born and raised a Detroiter in a multi-generational Detroit family, and he felt committed to the city. His work became a blend of his background and his profession. “I had a great educational foundation, first from my family, growing up in St. Mary’s of Redford Parish, and then at CC, with the constancy of “Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge.”

After Matt graduated from the University of Michigan, he began working for General Motors, and eventually became part of the re-visioning of the Renaissance Center, making it more welcoming and more accessible to all.

Matt Cullen '74

Matt is the CEO of Bedrock Detroit and is leading a team that is in the process of renewing the Detroit Riverfront. This project will include greenspaces, sports facilities, open entertainment areas, boardwalks and a swimming cove. The span will reach from the Ambassador Bridge to east of Belle Isle. The work of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy will bring many visitors to the city, but more importantly will make Detroit a place that many more will want to call their hometown.

Matt’s hard work, keen insight, and relentless enthusiasm for his city are the forces behind the success that the Conservancy is already experiencing.

Matt Cullen '74

Evan Ambrose ’07 and Zach Fairchild ’07

Co-directors of Hostel Detroit

Evan and Zach spent the next few years getting to know the strengths and the needs of the city. During this time, they also came across Hostel Detroit, and saw its potential and what it could do for the city. Four and a half years ago, the two members of the CC class of 2007 became its co-directors and began a vision for its future.

Hostel Detroit is in the Corktown neighborhood of the city of Detroit. It is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “work to educate travelers about the past, present, and future of the city of Detroit. We seek to create experiential connections between Detroiters and visitors to foster creativity and a global understanding of an often misunderstood city.” In the eight years of its existence, it has hosted over 17,000 visitors from over 80 countries. These visitors are mostly students and young people in town for job interviews. The hostel can host up to 36 travelers at a time, and a team of volunteers give free tours of the city.

There are plans for Hostel Detroit’s future that include a café and event space that would be open to the public. Zach also said they’re planning a video-based, internet radio station that “seeks to show Detroit’s music scene and culture to the world and to create a community space based around this music.”

The young men have a missionary zeal for the city and credit their enthusiasm to the spirit and quest for excellence they experienced while students at CC.

Evan reflected that the main goal of Hostel Detroit is that, “We want everyone who stays here to want to come back to Detroit.”

CC in the D • Winter 2020