My name is James Ribbron. I'm from Detroit. And I can tell you succinctly what I believe; Human society stands on the judgment of one God, revealed to all and known by many names. His creative power is visible in the mysteries of the universe and the revolutionary Holy Spirit, which will not long permit men to endure injustice, nor to wear the shackles of bondage and the rage of the powerless when they struggle to be free... and in the violence and conflict, which even now threatens to level the hills and the mountains. 

The church I grew up in was a community oriented church, and we were about building a community for Black people, particularly in the City of Detroit. So I've always been one who wanted to give... so I was always growing up in activities that were giving back to the community. When I went to college in 1977, I went off to Texas, came back because I wanted to give back to the City of Detroit… a lot of people say, you know, you went to Texas and came back in 1981... Yes, I did. 

I feel that the future of Detroit is a promising place and an opportunity. I've seen Detroit as a kid where it was thriving... and then as a teenager, to devastation. To a place now where I'm 60 years old and I'm seeing the city being redeveloped. I think the future is great for the City of Detroit. I look at somebody like my daughter... if I can encourage her to say, Detroit is where I want to come and give back, then I know that Detroit's future is going to be a great place.