In Episode 4 of Beyond 2 Bridges, hosts Ryan Donnelly and Matthew Dumouchel are joined by Dartis Willis for a conversation about the priorities shaping Windsor-Essex’s future — from budget decisions and economic development to the role of sport and culture in building strong, connected communities.

Dartis Willis shares his perspective on fostering community pride, the power of basketball to bring people together, and the importance of maintaining strong cultural ties that define the region and support sustainable growth. The episode highlights how strategic planning, local engagement, and accessibility can shape Windsor-Essex through 2040 — and why leadership rooted in community makes all the difference.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What budget priorities matter most for Windsor-Essex
• Why economic diversification supports long-term stability
• How sports help build community connection and pride
• The importance of cultural ties between Windsor and Detroit
• A shared vision for Windsor-Essex’s future through 2040

New episodes of Beyond 2 Bridges drop weekly, spotlighting the leaders, builders, and changemakers shaping Windsor-Essex.

This Episode’s Sponsor: Daniel James Pike

This episode is proudly sponsored by Daniel James Pike — a Windsor-Essex County–based writer, graphic designer, and filmmaker/screenwriter, and the founder of County House Pictures, a film production company focused on crafting stories “from script to screen.”
Daniel James Pike
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Learn more and explore Daniel’s work:
👉 https://danieljamespike.ca/

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Budget Priorities for Windsor-Essex

05:40 Community Engagement and Basketball

13:03 Building Community Spirit

23:03 Cultural and Economic Connections

34:14 Vision for Windsor-Essex 2040