Ray Nelson is a final-year Master of Social Work student at Wayne State University, specializing in macro social work. His professional interests include workforce development, community development, and systems-level approaches to creating equitable opportunities. Ray is particularly interested in how policy, infrastructure, and economic development shape access to employment and economic opportunity within communities. As a practicum student with Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision, Ray works with the Ports Planning team, supporting research related to rail and workforce development and contributing to grant-writing efforts. Through this experience, he is developing a deeper understanding of how research, community partnerships, and policy can work together to create meaningful and sustainable community change. Ray is motivated by the belief that meaningful employment can be an important pathway toward stability, economic mobility, and stronger communities. He hopes to continue exploring how macro social work can help address systemic barriers and support communities in building stronger pathways to opportunity.

Ray can be reached at raynelson@sdevweb.org