Alumni Spotlight: Deja Granger

“My time with YouthTank taught me how to build trust, maintain relationships, juggle multiple projects at once, and simplify complex ideas"

From helping launch YouthTank Detroit’s very first cohort to now building her career in downtown Detroit, Deja Granger embodies what it means to take entrepreneurial spirit into every stage of life.

Building YouthTank from the Ground Up

Deja first joined YouthTank Detroit in 2023, just as the program was preparing to welcome its inaugural group of high school interns. Alongside her classmate Riley Robinson, she stepped into the role of junior program coordinator and quickly became a cornerstone of the team.

From designing systems to track student hours to coordinating vendors and communicating with parents, Deja learned firsthand what it takes to build a program from the ground up. She didn’t just keep things organized — she also helped shape the culture of YouthTank by mentoring students, leading creative activities, and encouraging young leaders to find their voices.

Reflecting on that experience, Deja once shared:

“We were key players in helping start the program. It really helped me learn how to start and run my own program. We worked with a lot of different spreadsheets to keep everything organized.”

Coaching the Next Generation

In the summer of 2024, Deja returned to YouthTank as a coach for the Entrepreneurship Team, bringing her leadership full circle. This time, she was no longer just helping set up the program — she was guiding high school students through it. Deja supported interns in pitching their ideas, testing business concepts, and building confidence as young entrepreneurs. Her ability to blend professional skills with empathy made her a role model for the students she coached.

Carrying YouthTank Into Her Career

Today, Deja works at Bedrock as a Residential Leasing Coordinator in the Residential Property Management department, helping lease 20 residential apartment buildings across downtown Detroit. It’s a fast-paced role that requires juggling multiple projects, maintaining client trust, and guiding people through one of the most important decisions in their lives — finding a new home.

Deja credits her time at YouthTank for giving her the tools to succeed in this environment:

“My time with YouthTank taught me how to build trust, maintain relationships, juggle multiple projects at once, and simplify complex ideas. All of these skills have now helped me manage leasing across Bedrock’s Detroit residential portfolio while still connecting with my team, clients, and guiding people confidently through their journey of finding a new place.”

Looking Ahead

Deja’s journey is proof of what we hope every YouthTank alum carries with them: the belief that they already have what it takes to make a difference — in their careers, their communities, and beyond. From helping launch YouthTank Detroit to now building her career at Bedrock, Deja Granger embodies what it means to take entrepreneurial spirit into every stage of life.