DETROIT, MI, March 10, 2020
The Michigan Mobility Institute and The Henry Ford announced today that Jessica Robinson has been named Entrepreneur-in-Residence at The Henry Ford. Supported by the William Davidson Foundation Initiative for Entrepreneurship, Ms. Robinson is the program’s third resident entrepreneur. During her six-month residency, she will develop a project and workshops that explore the themes of mobility, power, and energy and connect the institution’s collection to the broader entrepreneurial community. The Henry Ford selects two entrepreneurs-in-residence per year. These influencers have access to the institution’s collection and develop activities for youth and emerging entrepreneurs in areas such agriculture and the environment, information and communication, social transformation, and design.
“The Henry Ford’s collection tracks the evolution of transportation from bicycles through trains to the rise of the automobile. These inventions reflect new forms of movement and the creative problem solving of all types of entrepreneurs,” said Jessica Robinson, Executive Director, Michigan Mobility Institute. “As we face the rise of new innovations such as autonomous driving, the institution has a unique opportunity to draw on its collection to imagine where we might be headed next. I’m excited to explore how we can expand access to these artifacts to a diverse group of entrepreneurs in the Detroit area.”
The Henry Ford’s mission is to provide unique educational experiences based on authentic objects, stories and lives from America’s traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness, and innovation with a purpose to inspire people to learn from these traditions to shape a better future. This initiative is part of a comprehensive campaign by The Henry Ford to build digital and experiential learning tools, programs, and initiatives to advance innovation, invention, and entrepreneurship.
“Jessica lends a unique perspective on how we currently access mobility, and what that will look like in the future with the expansion of autonomous vehicles,” said Lucie Howell, Chief Learning Officer, The Henry Ford. “By blending her passion and expertise with our inspiring stories and collections, we believe her residency will help better shape The Henry Ford’s conversation on mobility and transportation.”
About the Michigan Mobility Institute:
The Michigan Mobility Institute accelerates mobility workforce development, upskilling programs, and post-secondary degrees by bringing industry and education partners together. We merge the historic excellence of engineering, design, and supply chain in Michigan with deep insight into the global hiring needs of next-generation mobility disruptors. It is the first initiative of the Detroit Mobility Lab.
About The Henry Ford:
Located in Dearborn, Michigan, The Henry Ford, a globally-recognized destination, fosters inspiration and learning from hands-on encounters with artifacts that represent the most comprehensive collection anywhere focusing on innovation, ingenuity and resourcefulness in America. Its unique venues include Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Benson Ford Research Center and Henry Ford Academy, a public charter high school. Together with its online presence at thehenryford.org, its national television programs, The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation and Did I Mention Invention? And other resources, The Henry Ford helps individuals of all kinds to unlock their potential and help shape a better future. The Henry Ford advanced its role as a catalyst for change in education with the acquisition of The STEMIE Coalition, a growing affiliation of organizations dedicated to fostering innovation, invention and entrepreneurship in students, K-12. With STEMIE, The Henry Ford hosts the National Invention Convention and Entrepreneurship Expo (NICEE) and makes innovation learning curriculum accessible to educators and students worldwide.
