Watch CBS News

Black History: When Giving Back To Detroit Becomes A Way Of Life

DETROIT (WWJ) -- Behind the giving and volunteerism at the Quicken Loans family of companies is a Detroit woman who oversees it all.

If you see Rock Ventures or Quicken Loans volunteering or making philanthropic donations throughout the community, Leslie Andrews is most likely behind it.

A Detroit native who still lives in the city, Andrews is the director of community relations and corporate philanthropy at the Dan Gilbert-owned operation. The Spelman College graduate leads with an understanding of her obligation to the community.

"I start every single morning the exact same way -- I get up and I tell myself, 'I do not know what this day holds, but I do know what I must hold in this day,'" Andrews said. "I must bring my best self every day, every time -- no excuses."

Andrews said that her goal for 2016 is to have employees log 100,000 volunteer hours. She and her team took part in Neighborhoods Week last year, where they helped transform the Osborn community.

"You have to look at people and see, 'what can I do beyond my normal life, beyond my normal giving that will make a difference in someone else's life past the day that I do it,'" Andrews said. "With that attitude, I made sure that everyone handled that neighborhood gently, kindly, respectfully and that we did what we did reverently because it was coming from a very good space."

Andrews says she is driven by courageous people.

"The longer that I'm on this earth I realize that it is less about what you know and it's more about what you will do about what you know," Andrews said. "Courageous people through history, courageous people in my family, courageous people who never make the news, courageous people who I know personally and the courageous person I strive to be and the role model I want to be for those behind me, because that's truly what most situations call for."

WWJ celebrates Black History month this year by highlighting local outstanding African Americans who inspire others. Tune in for the reports throughout the day at: 6:20 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 3:40 p.m. and 7:40 p.m.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.