Rich Hawkins, as Director of Economic Equity and Division Manager for Administration for New Detroit Inc., is responsible for developing initiatives and supporting actions intended to increase the number and success of businesses owned by people of color. He is also responsible for developing initiatives that create opportunities for low and moderate income minority families and individuals to improve their economic standing and to compete for emerging employment opportunities. Prior to joining New Detroit, Hawkins spent 42 years in the banking industry in various management positions in retail banking, operations, corporate cash management and commercial lending.

New Detroit Inc. was formed in response to civil unrest in 1967 that uncovered a host of entrenched social and community ills. Since then, New Detroit has been a unique and valuable arena where leaders of Detroit's business, civic, grassroots, and religious communities come together to impact the actions of individuals and institutions by serving in a number of roles; advocate, catalyst, convener, and facilitator. The areas that demand our greatest attention include improving education opportunity, civic engagement, enhancing access to economic opportunity and advocacy.