DPM Champion Interview, ft. Robyn K. Fuller Butler
Robyn K. Fuller Butler, CPA | Founding Partner, J&F Advisors, PLLC; Author & Founder, Parker & Jhett Rose Publications; Co‑Founder, Michigan Association of CPAs for Minorities in Accounting and Finance (MACRS)
Your Detroit Story
“Tell us a little about who you are and what first inspired you to invest your energy in Detroit’s community.”
I was born and raised in Detroit and educated in what was then Detroit Public Schools. I spent my early summers walking downtown to Hart Plaza and watching fudge‑making shows in Trapper’s Alley. The Renaissance Center has always been a central point in my life; at different stages, I’ve found myself there for different reasons.
As a child, I remember riding the People Mover from that station. There was a candy store just outside the entrance, and my sister and I would anxiously wait for the moment the train curved toward the river so we could see the water between the RenCen and what is now Huntington Place.
In high school, while attending Cass Tech, I worked at The Coffee Beanery near the front entrance of the RenCen. As an adult, I worked at GM and would ride the People Mover to Greektown for lunch. On my very first day of high school, I finished a tennis match early and didn’t know how to take the bus home—but I did know how to navigate the People Mover. So I walked from Cass Tech to the Times Square station and rode the loop home.
Transportation in Downtown: Then & Now
“In your experience, how has transportation in Downtown Detroit evolved over the years, and what role do you see the People Mover playing in that change?”
I’ve seen Detroit, especially downtown, through a very rich and cultural lens. My mom was a hairstylist on Washington and Grand River, so I spent a lot of my childhood getting to know the area in a special way. Saturdays often meant shopping at Winkleman’s on Woodward or Gantos in the Renaissance Center. I’ve watched buildings go up, come down, and now rise again.
Throughout all of that change, the People Mover has been a constant in my life. It’s been my way to get from school to work to concerts and so much more. Honestly, I didn’t realize how present it had been in my story until I sat down to answer these questions.
Today’s Detroit feels a lot like the city I grew up in, with public transportation playing a huge role in navigating a very busy downtown. I feel like the People Mover is beginning again. There’s so much opportunity and convenience in using it to move through both the social and working sides of life for people commuting in and out of the area.
Favorite Spot Along the People Mover
“Which station or nearby spot along the People Mover route do you love most, and what makes it special to you?”
I would say that I love the ride over the Detroit River. It does not matter the season; it's always beautiful to see and cool to tell visitors that Canada is on the other side of the water. There is something unique and beautiful at every stop. The stories behind the tiles, and/or art, I always worth seeing and knowing! I just feel like you can't go wrong on the route.
Hopes & Dreams for Detroit
“When you think about Detroit’s future, what’s one message or aspiration you’d share with the community?”
There is truly no place like Detroit. The pride we have in our city and its people is unmatched, and it’s something you feel deeply the moment you claim Detroit as home.
As the city continues to grow and evolve, I feel an overwhelming sense of optimism and possibility. So much development is happening, and it’s exciting to see the rest of the world finally recognize the magic that Detroiters have always known was here.
I’m especially inspired by this moment in our history as we prepare to welcome our first woman mayor. As a business owner of more than 15 years, it fills me with immense pride to build, invest, and grow businesses in Detroit. The future of this city is bright, and I’m honored to be part of shaping what comes next.
Fun Finale: Ride with Anyone
“If you could ride the Detroit People Mover with anyone—past or present—who would it be, and why?”
If I could ride the People Mover with anyone, it would be my mother, my sister, and our daughters. It would be for nostalgia’s sake and to have a moment to share with our girls how we were unknowingly influenced and impacted by it over the years.
