Two Detroits. By Design.
A Developer's Perspective:
By Design - Power, Policy, and Detroit's Black Poverty Model
A real-world examination of how development decisions shape neighborhoods—and who they benefit. Grounded in Detroit. Relevant nationwide.
Brinda Devine speaks on how development decisions shape neighborhood outcomes—grounded in real projects, not theory.How to Lose a Neighborhood examines what happens on the ground, not what people claim happens. It breaks down how neighborhoods change, who makes key decisions, who benefits, and who bears the costs. Drawn from decades of experience in real estate and development, it offers a practical view into how systems operate in real time.The book explores how economic displacement takes hold, how deals are structured, and how policy, capital, and investment patterns shape outcomes long before the impacts become visible. Much of what drives neighborhood change happens quietly—through land control, approvals, financing, and institutional decision-making.Detroit is the backdrop, but these patterns are national. This is a book about how neighborhoods are lost, how inequities are reproduced through systems, and what it takes to pursue a different path.
Rooted in practice, not theory, the book speaks to those working across real estate, public policy, philanthropy, higher education, and community development—including cities, developers, foundations, universities, and organizations seeking a clearer understanding of how development works, and who it works for.Cities, developers, foundations, universities, and organizations working in real estate, policy, and community developmentNow booking 2026 engagements.
Individual Purchases
Book Launch - May 16th, Detroit MI
We had an amazing time!
Old and new friends stopped by to help celebrate the release of dive into the book - “How to Lose a Neighborhood" with the amazing four-time author, Brinda Devine. This was an awesome in-person event.Good people, good food and good weather - a perfect day to connect, chat, and celebrate a fantastic new read.Let’s keep in touch. Social media pages include - Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Substack.
About Brinda Devine
Brinda Devine is a real estate developer and advisor with over 30 years of experience in commercial development, asset management, and neighborhood-scale projects.She is the founder of P8 Real Estate Solutions and the developer of Kornr Store, a neighborhood café and market in Detroit’s Northwest Goldberg community.Her work focuses on how development decisions are made in practice—and how those decisions shape outcomes across neighborhoods.This book is grounded in real work, not observation.Social media pages include - Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Substack.
Individual Purchases
Speaking
Brinda Devine speaks on how development decisions actually shape neighborhood outcomes—grounded in real projects, not theory.Now booking 2026 engagements.Who this is for:
Cities, developers, foundations, universities, and organizations working in real estate, policy, and community development.Now booking 2026 speaking and advisory engagements.Social media pages include - Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Substack.
Individual Purchases
Advisory
Work With BrindaBrinda Devine provides senior-level advisory to a limited number of organizations working on development, investment, and neighborhood strategy.This is not project management.
This is direct, high-level guidance on decisions that impact real outcomes.Advisory focuses on:
– Development strategy and positioning
– Project review and risk identification
– Decision-making support
– Understanding why projects stall—and how to move them forwardNow booking 2026 speaking and monthly advisory engagements.Social media pages include - Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Substack.
Bulk Orders
Bulk Orders & Institutional Purchases
How to Lose a Neighborhood is being used by organizations, universities, and teams to support staff alignment, training, and discussion.
– Internal team discussions
– Board and stakeholder alignment
– Conferences and programs
– Course and curriculum use
This is an opportunity to align your team around a clearer understanding of how neighborhoods are shaped—and how to approach development more intentionally.
Bulk Orders (25+ copies)
Discounted pricing available.
Contact:
(248) 219-6685, [email protected] and [email protected] for pricing and availability.Social media pages include - Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Substack.
How to Lose a Neighborhood -
A direct, practical look at how development decisions shape neighborhoods—
and why outcomes are not accidental.Social media pages include - Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Substack.
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