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About Vanguard CDC

Our Story | Vanguard Community Development Corporation

To truly understand Vanguard Community Development Corporation, it’s essential to know the history of Detroit’s North End neighborhood, a vibrant and historic community that has shaped Vanguard’s mission since our founding. The North End, annexed by the City of Detroit in 1891, is traditionally bounded by the Ford Freeway to the south, Russell Street to the east, Highland Park to the north, and Woodward Avenue to the west.

The North End’s story began in 1892 when Detroit’s elite built stately homes in the Arden Park area, one of the city’s first platted developments. By the 1920s, the neighborhood grew with Jewish European immigrants who arrived to work in Detroit’s burgeoning auto industry.

In the 1940s, the North End transformed as the Jewish community moved northwest, making way for African Americans moving from “Black Bottom” in search of better opportunities. Over time, the North End became a hub for business and entertainment, especially known for its Blues and Jazz music scene.

Like much of Detroit, the North End faced decades of economic challenges, but it remains a place of deep pride and resilience. The North End is one of Detroit’s few original “branded” neighborhoods, with a strong identity that has endured, beyond its physical boundaries, as a symbol of community strength.

Vanguard Community Development Corporation was founded in 1994 by Bishop Edgar Vann and Second Ebenezer Church in response to a national movement for community-led economic development. Leveraging his influence and resources, Bishop Vann set out to revitalize the physical, social, and economic landscape of the North End. Since then, Vanguard has grown into an independent community organization with an ongoing mission to uplift the North End through affordable housing, economic development, and community engagement. Today, our offices and the Vanguard Community Center are located on East Grand Boulevard at the North End Community Campus, where we continue to advocate for the community’s future.

The North End

The Historic North End (NE) has a rich past. Oakland Ave. was the NE’s main commercial avenue. Oakland developed into Detroit’s Lenox Avenue. World renowned musicians performed here at famous bars/clubs; including The Temptations, James Brown, B.B. King, George Clinton, Etta James, Little Richard, and John Lee Hooker. This history created deep community pride and made the NE one of Detroit’s only “branded” neighborhoods.

Federal laws subsidizing suburbanization caused families/businesses to relocate. Still, African Americans, for whom the NE was the “moving on up” neighborhood, remained dedicated. As auto jobs were lost, people were unable to pay their bills. Predatory loans were common; and foreclosures followed. The NE was decimated.

Scores of homes were lost to foreclosure. Many of these homes remained vacant; and ultimately, were burnt/demolished. Over the past year, many homes and vacant lot values have surged. For decades this neighborhood has suffered from blight and major disinvestment from the city’s resources. As a result of the downtown development and market rents rising in the central business district, many businesses and residents now see Mid-town Detroit as the next new development area. The North End residents, at one period in Detroit’s history were allowed to purchase side lots and maintain them for the city. Community residents have inquired with Vanguard on a number of occasions to help them out of a crisis. In the past, we have directed them to community organizations and/or city and county resources for assistance. This model is not working. There needs to be direct assistance from trusted community partners to address failing policy and rapid gentrification.

Milwaukee Junction was once an iconic automobile manufacturing hub. Early in the 20 th century, every existing automobile company had a presence in our community. Milwaukee Junction is now home to several art and music related organizations, studios, galleries, etc. The venues are primarily concentrated between Grand Boulevard and the railroad tracks, but also spill over north of Grand Boulevard and east of I-75 into the Russell Industrial Center. The area also has many thriving businesses including: chain and local restaurants and bars, electrical contractors; plumbing contractor, a pipe manufacturer, two construction companies, an auto repair shop, etc.

Our Partners

Vanguard’s work in the North End is made possible through the generous support and collaboration of our valued partners. We are grateful to these organizations for their commitment to building a stronger, more vibrant Detroit community.