David Silver, founder of Detroit Horse Power, has brought horses to Detroit’s 12th Street-Davidson area, a journey that reflects his upbringing in an affluent community with access to elite horseback riding training. Teach for America brought him to Burns Elementary, where he saw the resilience, empathy, and confidence needed to thrive in his students and connected them back to his experiences with horses. This led to a vision for a program that introduces Detroit youth to equestrian life while building essential life skills, with a forthcoming $12 million equestrian center being built in Hope Village to support this mission.

Silver’s work with Detroit Horse Power is about more than just horses – it’s about power, confidence, and trust. He believes that every kid deserves the chance to say, “what else can I do?” and is transforming empty space into a sanctuary of possibility with community support and the upcoming equestrian center. His 10-year journey has been one of endurance and evolution, driven by community relationships, guidance from Detroit elders, and a powerful belief in the intersection of culture, education, and nature to heal communities.

Through his work with Detroit Horse Power, Silver is providing Detroit youth with the opportunity to learn essential life skills through equestrian activities. He believes in the importance of resilience, empathy, and confidence, traits he saw in his students at Burns Elementary and connected back to his own experiences with horses. With the support of the community and the development of a new equestrian center, Silver is creating a space where Detroit youth can build power, confidence, and trust while exploring new possibilities.