Growing Maritime Industry is Ready for Diversity
Captain: Generations of nepotism disappearing; opening jobs for younger and more diverse workforce
For some people the “Blessing of the Fleet” church service signifies the arrival of Spring. The annual event marks the beginning of the maritime season on the Great Lakes and elsewhere. This Sunday at Detroit’s historic Mariners Church, hundreds of people will gather for the service. The day’s activities also include the presentation of the Ludington Award. It’s given to a person who works to promote the maritime industry. This year Captain Mark Stevenson will accept the honor. He is the first African American to receive the award and he tell’s WDET’s Amy Miller that maritime industry is, only now, on the threshold of diversity. Stevenson says the non-profit Prologue Organization is working towards opening maritime training schools in Detroit, Benton Harbor and Chicago.
Click on the audio player above to hear the whole conversation
