The Southeast Michigan Sustainable Business Forum (SMSBF) in Detroit and its partner, the People First Economy (PFE) in Grand Rapids, are merging, effective March 31.
The two organizations have a more than four-year history of collaboration and thought partnership. After working on a grant through the American Sustainable Business Network and the Impact Project, SMSBF and PFE realized a shared theory of change, one rooted in localism, community, environmental justice, and sustainable business strategies, says Mike Shesterkin, executive director of SMSBF.
With a more than two-decade history of promoting sustainable business practices in the southeast Michigan region, SMSBF reached a crossroad in 2023, says Shesterkin. Over time, the focus on sustainable business practices, particularly among large corporations in southeast Michigan region, has grown.
Delivering sustainable business-related content — such as newsletters, podcasts, and event production — to the region now is being done by the SB Network Detroit, of which SMSBF is a founding member. At one time, SMSBF was the only nonprofit in the region delivering such content.
PFE’s theory of change aligns with SMSBF and holds “tremendous” regional growth potential, says Shesterkin. Built on three tranches of programming — local first, good for Michigan, and people first policy — PFE’s theory of change is rooted in systems thinking.
“We live, not in a world defined by linear, ‘if-then’ thinking, such as the sole purpose of business is to maximize profit, but rather one that is multi-dimensional, highly contingent, and best thought of as ‘both-and,'” says Shesterkin.
“With its emphasis on localism, effectively assessing SB practice, and perhaps most importantly, affecting state and local public policy in a non-partisan way so as to level the playing field and make it easier to do the right things in business, PFE’s programming reflects a systems-thinking approach.”
The two organizations expect to make more details available as the merger is worked out.
“The acknowledgement of PFE’s programming as both impactful and crucial within Michigan is expanding,” says Carlos Martinez, president of PFE. “Our engagement with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and various business support organizations across southeast Michigan underscores this realization.
“By pooling our resources with the SMSBF, we aim to sustain and enhance this growth in the southeast Michigan region, reinforcing our roles as key partners within the ecosystem.”
 Detroit and partner, the People First Economy (PFE) in Grand Rapids, merging March 31.){kind=link}