Photo: Barlow for Mayor
DETROIT, July 31, 2025 ~ As Detroit prepares to elect its first new mayor in over a decade, candidate Jonathan Barlow is betting that innovation, not just infrastructure, can restore the city’s spirit and equity from the ground up.
Barlow joined 760 WJR’s “’JR Afternoon” Wednesday to share his vision for a city at a crossroads. A Detroit native and tech entrepreneur, Barlow framed his candidacy as a response to what he called a “critical point in history,” where the city must choose between incremental progress and bold transformation. “I believe I’m built for such a time as this,” he said, citing his background in business, community organizing, and technology.
PODCAST:
July 30, 2025 ~ Mayoral candidate Jonathan Barlow joins WJR to lay out his bold plan to turn Detroit into a national model for tech powered equity, from AI driven city services to gaming hubs for youth empowerment. Discover how his vision blends innovation with grassroots values, and why he believes now is the moment to bring Detroit’s neighborhoods into the digital future.
(CONTINUED) Barlow’s platform centers on using technology to modernize city operations and empower residents, especially youth. He criticized Detroit’s failure to invest in digital infrastructure and industries like gaming, which he sees as untapped economic engines. “Gaming is a multi-billion dollar industry that our youth participate in, but they’re not supported,” he said. His proposals include AI-powered public services, expanded surveillance for safety, and community innovation hubs designed to bring the energy of downtown into the neighborhoods.
He also pledged to support seniors and legacy residents, promising digital literacy programs, improved transportation access, and protections against displacement. “We’re going to protect our investment,” Barlow said. “It’s not about black or white, it’s about green. And we’re not giving away our city to gentrification.”
Still, some urban policy experts caution against over reliance on tech as a cure all. Critics point to Detroit’s past missteps with surveillance tools and the risk of deepening digital divides. “Smart city initiatives often overlook the communities they claim to serve,” said one urban equity researcher. Others argue that basic needs like housing, transit, and sanitation should take precedence over ambitious digital reforms.
Yet Barlow remains undeterred. For him, innovation is not a distraction from equity, it’s the vehicle for it. “We’re inviting the whole international community to come and take a look at Detroit,” he said. “Because we’re open for business and we’re ready to lead.”
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Want to learn more about Jonathan Barlow and the eight others who are vying for the keys to City Hall? Check out our special WJR.com feature, “The Detroit Nine,” your inside track to the candidates, their plans, and what’s really at stake this election.
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