Detroit SOUP is a micro-financing experiment originally kicked off as a pot luck where people could come to discuss ideas for improving the city through startup ventures and community initiatives. The concept was simple enough: bring $5, get a meal, and talk about your ideas. At the end of the meal, attendees would vote on a concept that would then get the proceeds from the evening.

We met up with one of the founders, Amy Kaherl, at her home in Detroit. She introduced us to her pug and showed us around The Jam Handy, which is where Detroit SOUP now holds events but was the former film studio of Jam Handy Productions, where more than 25,000 short films and instructional shorts were made for GM, the US military, and so much more (you can see a profile film and dig through the archives here). So it's set in a building that has a great legacy in Detroit, and the people who attend the SOUP events are trying to reshape the city's future legacy, themselves. We learned about their startups, and toured the work-share space where Amy keeps an office. Hanging on the wall was a letter from President Obama commending Amy for her innovative approach to community building. She now works with other cities to build similar programs. Documenting a day in the life with her was inspiring. 

PHOTO ESSAY FOR LINCOLN NOW