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We believe all kids and their families should have the tools and support they need to grow – and where you live should only improve a child’s success.

Love

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Safety

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Growth

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Brilliant

It takes creating an atmosphere of love and safety, where people feel truly seen and cared for, before people can grow.
What We Do
Origin Story

Brilliant Detroit was founded in 2016 to provide a radically new approach to early childhood education. Drawing from the experience of co-founders Cindy Eggleton and Carolyn and Jim Bellinson, this model was created by asking “what if?” What if all children in Detroit entered kindergarten ready to learn? What if existing programs and resources were aligned and working in concert for the benefit of kids and families?

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What if communities, led by neighbors, had all they needed for kids to be successful? What emerged was a model for Kid Success with three components: engaged families, supportive social networks, and coordinated and high-quality programs for the whole family. In eight years, this model expanded to 24 Detroit neighborhoods, serving tens of thousands of children and caregivers, in pursuit of citywide impact.

Along the way, we met others outside of Detroit who wanted the same outcomes for their families and neighborhoods. From this growing interest, we created Brilliant Cities to bring this model to all those neighborhoods in search of a way to bring people and organizations together in service of Kid Success.

Our Team

We are a compassionate, driven group of roll-up-our sleeves-and-get-it-done optimists, coming together from inside and outside the neighborhood, ready to create brighter futures – one child, one family, one community at a time.

Cindy Eggleton

Co-Founder and CEO

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Aaron Appel

Director of Strategic Growth

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Brittany Merritt

National Chief Development Officer

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Chambraia Jones

Brilliant Cities and Strategy Manager

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Work With Us

As Brilliant Cities staff and interns the work of Kid Success is in our heads, our hearts, and on our shoulders. We would be honored by you joining our team.
We are not currently hiring for particular roles but you may email your interest to info@brilliantcities.org and we will let you know when we are ready to hire.

See Current Opportunities
“I like parenting class so I can learn about being a better mother.”

Leslie Foster,
Brilliant Detroit Cody Rouge participant.

“My grandbaby is in first grade and reading at a third grade level and she also writes. Brilliant is really Brilliant for our kids. We stand by what Brilliant Detroit offers. It’s for us.”

Janet Scandrick,
Brilliant Detroit Martin Park Hub participant.


“We appreciate that food is served and that there is a place for the children to play while the adults are attending something of interest. Brilliant Detroit is amazing and a tremendous help to rebuilding our neighborhood.”

Ella Moton-Ivy,
Brilliant Detroit Cody Rouge participant.


“My family moved from Mexico to the US in 2019. Brillant Detroit taught me English with my teacher. Brilliant Detroit feels like my second home.”

Isabel Guizar,
Brilliant Detroit Southwest Hub participant.


“I’m a block club leader. During the pandemic with the help of Brilliant Detroit, it allowed me to feed 100-110 families a week.”

Denise Lyles,
Brilliant Detroit Dexter-Linwood Advisory Team member

Recognition

In 2021, Co-Founder and CEO Cindy Eggleton received an AARP Purpose Prize Award for her work with Brilliant Detroit.

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In 2018, Cindy Eggleton was recognized among Notable Women in Nonprofits in Michigan.

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In 2021, Brilliant Detroit was awarded three years of technical support and funding from the Draper, Richards, Kaplan Foundation.

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In 2023, Cindy Eggleton received The Elevate Prize to help scale her work with Brilliant Detroit and provide increased visibility.

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In 2020, Brilliant Detroit joined Promise Venture Studio’s Promising Venture Fellowship designed to help scale up the organization.

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YouTube Feed

Watch our channel: @brilliantdetroit5234

Media

PODCAST

Listen to The Brilliant Together Podcast
Apple Podcast Spotify Podcast

BLOG

Top Ten Books with Justine Cucchi-Dietlen of DPL
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KELLY CLARKSON SHOW

Good Neighbor Transforms Detroit Neighborhoods For Kid Success
Read News