Building Community and Spreading Love with Kwaku Osei of The Love Building | Mission Control Podcast

Introduction

Welcome back to another lively episode of Mission Control, the podcast that dives into the stories and lessons from executive directors and nonprofit leaders making waves in their communities. Hosted by Paul Schmidt, owner and creative video strategist for Introduced Multimedia, Mission Control brings real talk and authentic journeys to anyone interested in the heart and hustle behind community impact.

This week, Paul sits down with Kwaku Osei, the Executive Director of the Love Building in Detroit—a unique hub for social justice and creative collaboration that's home to seven active nonprofits. In this heartfelt and revealing chat, Kwaku shares not only how he ended up at the helm of the Love Building but also what it really means to lead a nonprofit, blend corporate and nonprofit know-how, and create meaningful connections across Detroit and beyond.

If you're someone who loves hearing behind-the-scenes stories, lessons on leadership, and ideas on bringing people together for good, this episode is packed with insights. Expect a thorough exploration of community, experimentation, heartbreaks, and joy—all in one inspiring listen.

Guest Information

Kwaku Osei

Role: Executive Director, The Love Building, Detroit

Previous Experience: Founder of Pharmacy Food and Cooperative Capital; Board President of Bridging Communities; Various board roles including Fair Food Network, Detroit Community Wealth Fund, Economic Development Corporation for Detroit; Past consulting and executive work at Deloitte and with Dan Gilbert (Rock Ventures)

Joined The Love Building: February 27, 2024

Purpose: Turning the Love Building into a lab for community-rooted economic development, social justice, and love

Episode Summary

In this episode, Paul welcomes Kwaku Osei for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, community, and the experimental spirit driving the Love Building in Detroit. Kwaku shares the mission and evolution of the Love Building—a space that serves as headquarters for seven nonprofits dedicated to social justice and creative collaboration.

Kwaku opens up about his personal journey to the Love Building, which included several nudges from friends and a moment of cosmic coincidence involving a Rick Rubin video and a timely job listing. He explains how his mix of corporate, government, and nonprofit experience shapes his leadership, highlighting both the similarities and the key differences between these sectors.

Listeners get an inside look at the nuts and bolts of nonprofit management, how to foster collaboration instead of duplication, and why real innovation in community work means constant experimentation (and accepting some failures along the way). Kwaku provides specific examples, such as the Earn a Bike program, and offers insights on leveraging top talent across multiple organizations, rather than working in isolation.

Throughout, there is a strong emphasis on open-armed collaboration, love in action, and bringing people together—whether it’s through sharing space, supporting grassroots events, or simply creating opportunities for connection. Kwaku ends with a heartfelt call for unity in the face of division, urging listeners to experience the love firsthand and help build a stronger community.

Key Takeaways

The Love Building is more than a space—it’s a living community lab for health, wealth, and love.

Kwaku’s journey to leadership was driven by timing, encouragement from others, and a willingness to listen to the universe.

Blending corporate, government, and nonprofit experience can spark new ways to solve old challenges.

Real community impact depends on connecting disconnected efforts, experimenting boldly, and sharing resources.

Anyone interested in making positive change is invited to visit, connect, and collaborate—Detroit (and the world) needs more love and unity.

Subscribe, leave a review, and join us next time in the Control Center—because Detroit thrives when more people join the party!