Authors: Adil Mohammed and Phyllis Sykes

Summary

The International Center of Greater Flint (ICGF) CLP proposes to develop a community grassroots outreach process to create a strategic vision and implementation plan for a Global Flint Initiative (GFI). GFI is an economic and community revitalization strategy that focuses on attracting and retaining international talent by becoming a Welcoming Community. The proposed needs assessment will involve an extensive immigrant groups outreach to conduct focus groups, interviews and surveys throughout the region over several months. The goal is to collect data to document the true assessment of this population. In addition to reaching out to the immigrant population, the same method will be implemented with Flint’s native population. This initiative plans to foster a welcoming environment for international talent in Flint, engaging immigrant groups and native residents to build a cohesive and economically resilient community.

Author Information

Adil Mohammed is currently the Program Director at the International Center of Greater Flint (ICGFlint.org). ICGFlint, a 501c3 organization, was formally established in 2015, co-founded by Adil and Phyllis Sykes, who saw a need for a resource hub catering to the immigrant and international population in the Flint area. Adil is also a founding Board member at American Muslim Community Services (AMCSUSA.org), a social services non-profit organization based in Flint. He served as the Executive Director of AMCS from 2019-2023. From 1990 to 2009, Adil worked as a Project manager at Delphi, leaving in 2009 after the Great Recession. In 2010, he attended a 12 week SBDC-MI program called "FasTrac for New Venture" that helps new startups complete their market studies and establish good business processes. As a late entrepreneur, he started an IT services company catering to the healthcare professionals, but after a few years, pivoted to real-estate development and non-profit management. Adil was a member of the 2016 Leadership Now cohort, a one year leadership development and mentoring program run by the Flint and Genesee Chamber of Commerce.

Currently, Adil spends his time developing real estate, serving the community through the AMCS that runs the Flint Muslim Food Pantry, and leading the effort with Phyllis Sykes to create a welcoming environment for all internationals. Adil received his Engineering degree in India (1983), and a Master of Science degree from Wayne State University (1986). He is a resident of Genesee County since he moved to the area in 1988.

Phyllis Sykes is proud native of Flint… and resident of the world. At a young age she traveled abroad and the experience transformed and shaped how she views the world and how to exist in it.

Today, Ms. Sykes is committed to promoting the benefits of an expanded global view, as Co-Founder and Executive Director of the International Center of Greater Flint. ICGF is an initiative created to make Flint and Genesee County a vibrant and welcoming global community by encouraging, building and sustaining strong multi-cultural relationships. She views the current challenges before the community as an opportunity to transform and reinvent itself as an energetic, culturally rich community that embraces diversity.

Ms. Sykes has a unique and distinguish professional background having been a radio and TV journalist, communications director for a non-profit, U of M Flint lecturer and Administrator, and a consultant, specializing in program design and management. She has a Master of Science Administration, and Bachelors of Arts degree, both from Central Michigan University, Mt Pleasant.

She has served on numerous boards, and as an advocate for the Arts she has served on the Flint Institute of Arts board and currently is the board Secretary for Tapology. Ms Sykes is also known to dabble in the acting arena having performed in various community theater productions.

In addition to being a passionate world traveler, she is an avid reader, writer, yoga practitioner, and physical fitness enthusiast.