Cindy Eggleton of Brilliant Detroit Honored by AARP

Cindy Eggleton, co-founder and CEO of Brilliant Detroit, which helps provide families with children ages 0-8 with what they need to be healthy and school ready, has received a 2021 AARP Purpose Prize award, which celebrates people who are 50 years of age or older and are solving social problems.
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Cindy Eggleton
Cindy Eggleton // Photo courtesy of Brilliant Detroit

Cindy Eggleton, co-founder and CEO of Brilliant Detroit, which helps provide families with children ages 0-8 with what they need to be healthy and school ready, has received a 2021 AARP Purpose Prize award, which celebrates people who are 50 years of age or older and are solving social problems.

The award came with $50,000 for Brilliant Detroit and was recognized at a virtual awards celebration on Dec. 3.

“I am honored to receive this prize at this point in life,” Eggleton says. “I truly feel I am blessed to be able to do the work with Brilliant Detroit to make sure ZIP codes do not dictate a person’s future.”

Eggleton co-founded the organization in 2015 with partners Jim and Carolyn Bellinson. The organization provides programming in child-dense, high-need neighborhoods by transforming underused housing stock to create early childhood and family centers in neighborhoods. It has reached more than 7,000 children and caregivers across eight Detroit neighborhoods.

“It’s really important to really work alongside others and hear what they think they need in order to be successful,” Eggleton says of creating initiatives to help communities. “Let the community you are striving to help be the one to orchestrate it.”

Eggleton was one of five awardees from across the country.