Newly named Global Citizen Ambassador and Fugees co-founder Wyclef Jean will join billionaire entrepreneur and Shark Tank star Mark Cuban for a conversation about Detroit’s creative economy on Thursday (July 10) at the inaugural Global Citizen NOW: Detroit summit.
The event at the city’s new multi-purpose Hudson’s Detroit development will bring together leaders from the worlds of business, entertainment, media, philanthropy, government and nonprofits to discuss what it takes to build sustainable, inclusive cities, while spotlighting the integral role music, culture and the arts play in shaping the city’s growth, according to a release. The conversation with Jean, Cuban, Motown Museum chair/CEO Robin Terry and Third Man Records co-founder/co-owner Ben Blackwell will be moderated by longtime Billboard contributor Gary Graff.
“It’s a true honor to be named a Global Citizen Ambassador. I’ve always believed in the power of music, not as simply for entertainment, but to awaken, to connect, to move people toward something greater,” said Jean in a statement about the announcement on Thursday (see below) that he will join a roster of A-list GC Ambassadors that includes Coldplay singer Chris Martin, Hugh Jackman, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, John Legend, Usher, Charlie Puth, Common, Billy Porter, Adam Lambert and others. The singer and activist has a long history of working with the international organization focused on the fight to end extreme poverty and promote social justice.
Jean first teamed up with Global Citizen in 2021, when he reunited the Fugees for a special performance during Global Citizen Live, then took the Global Citizen Festival stage again in 2023 — where he was joined by Fugees mate and surprise guest Lauryn Hill — as well as participating in this year’s Global Citizen NOW event in New York in April.
“As an artist and activist, my mission has always been to bring people together across borders and backgrounds,” Wyclef continued. “From New York to Detroit and beyond, music speaks the language of resilience, of hope, and of purpose. At a time when the world is in need of unity, I remain committed to turning that rhythm into real change. This is not about awareness, it’s about action, and together, we will continue to be the change we wish to see.”
According to organizers, Thursday’s event will look at the creative economy’s impact on Detroit via chats with the business leaders, activists and creatives who are shaping the city’s culture, including AfroFuture Festival founder Abdul Abdullah, chef Amanda Saab, Motown Museum 2024 Amplify artist of the year Jasmine Terrell and retired Detroit Lion and filmmaker Romeo Okwara, among many others.
See the Jean announcement below.