Mohammed Abdul Muhit received a Spirit of Detroit award from the Detroit City Council last week, recognizing his service, leadership, and commitment to Detroit’s small business community. Muhit is the associate director at the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) and the Business Liaison for District 3.  

“It’s really a great honor to work for the people of this great city, and so it really means a lot for me that I have been able to impact our small businesses and the community stakeholders in the big picture through my work,” he shares.

Muhit says he works to bridge city services with small businesses.

“I’m providing the white-glove service… providing one-on-one (support). Most of the days of the week we are out in the community,” he explains.

He says it can be challenging for small businesses to navigate city requirements or to request assistance. The DEGC hopes to reduce those hurdles.

“We go to them and collect that information and try to advocate for them, and provide them, and connect them with the right resources that they deserve,” he says.

There were several others who received the Spirit of Detroit awards at the Detroit City Council general meeting on September 22, held in District 3.

The award is given to an individual, organization, or group for outstanding achievement by the city council. People nominate awardees.

Among awardees were:

• Abdulrahman Abo Hatem
• Lisa Cunningham 
• Tamiko Williams
• Dr. Jameel Smith
• William C. McConico

Muhit says receiving the Spirit of Detroit award is prestigious. This is his second award from the city for his work.

“It really speaks volumes for the work that we do as a team… I hope I was able to make some impact in people’s lives, especially our small business and economic stakeholders… in the world of economic development,” he says.

Muhit says he is inspired to continue his work at the DEGC.

“I like to see my businesses stays open in the in the city and prosper, and when they prosper as an organization, as a human being myself, like we all prosper together,” he says.

Muhit, who immigrated to the Detroit area in 2016 from the United Kingdom, says he’s grateful for the opportunity to give back.

“It’s really a wholesome experience from day one that I started living here… I have had the opportunity and privilege to work in the city administration with a lot of great people every day.”  

Muhit previously worked at Global Detroit as a community organizer and community engagement specialist focusing on the Banglatown neighborhood in Detroit.