Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
Beyond Basics Planning ‘A Journey Through Pages’ Fundraising Event
Southfield-based literacy organization Beyond Basics invites the community to its annual fundraising event — “A Journey Through the Pages” — starting at 5:30 p.m. March 1 at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham.
The event marks the organization’s 25th anniversary.
Founded in 1999, Beyond Basics is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to eradicate illiteracy, transforming the lives of students and creating stronger communities. Beyond Basics believes literacy is for everyone.
The efforts of Beyond Basics advocates, donors, volunteers, and staff have advanced its highest dosage tutoring model. The organization currently help students in five counties at more than 30 partner locations throughout Michigan.
Beyond Basics requests that tickets be purchased by Feb. 16, by contacting Katie Nienstedt at nienstedt@beyondbasics.org at 248-321-0048. Sponsorship opportunities also are available.
Born in Detroit Launches GRIT Apparel Line Following Detroit Lions Win
Born in Detroit Apparel announces the exclusive GRIT apparel line is now available exclusively at bornindetroit.store.
The Born in Detroit GRIT exclusive apparel line options include t-shirts, long-sleeve performance shirts, hooded sweatshirts, fleece-lined knit caps, and trucker hats, in a variety of styles, sizes, and featuring the Honolulu blue, white, and silver on both black and silver options.
Born in Detroit was trademarked in 2015 and brought to life in 2020 by a group of Detroiters, two sets of brothers Michael and Anthony Tomey and George and Alex Bourkoulas, along with their friend, Michael “Mikey” Shumaker. The mission of Born in Detroit is to showcase the pride of Detroiters near and far, and to establish a brand partner to champion the city and surrounding communities.
Michigan-Israel Business Connections to Continue Momentum in 2024
The Michigan Israel Business Accelerator (MIBA), the nonprofit international trade organization committed to accelerating Michigan’s economic growth through Israeli corporate connections, says it is continuing its momentum that started during the COVID-19 pandemic and now persists despite the conflict in Israel.
In 2023, the MIBA generated 1,218 connections between Israeli and Michigan companies, facilitating $7 million in economic activity for the state of Michigan.
Since June 2023, six Israeli companies established a physical presence in The Elevator Building, the first coworking space in the U.S. dedicated to help Israeli companies scale. Located in downtown Detroit, in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and Bedrock Detroit, The Elevator hosted more than 350 guests in the second half of 2023.
Demand also is increasing for Michigan companies seeking business growth opportunities in Israel. Earlier this year, the MIBA facilitated visits for dozens of business leaders to Israel to explore opportunities in the health tech and mobility sectors.
“Despite the turmoil in Israel, the country has maintained its global leadership in the innovative fields that Michigan is counting on to grow its economy and population,” said Scott Hiipakka, CEO of the MIBA. “Our commitment to connecting communities between Israeli and Michigan innovators tackling today’s most pressing challenges remains steadfast.
“We are encouraged to see the demand for Israeli innovation in Michigan growing. As a result of these increased opportunities, the MIBA has expanded to five team members in Michigan and three in Israel, with further expansion efforts planned.”
ACG Detroit to Host Annual Economic Outlook
ACG Detroit will host its annual Economic Outlook on Feb. 1 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Birmingham Community House. The group will be joined by Wall Street expert Matt Miskin, co-chief investment strategist at John Hancock, who will share his forward-looking opinions of the economy and markets, offering valuable insights that will help shape financial strategies for the year ahead. Following his remarks, Miskin will join Chris Letts, senior vice president at Morgan Stanley – The Pine Harbor Group, in a fireside chat addressing issues specific to the Detroit economy. For more information and to register, visit here.
Newrez Launches RezFund; Will Benefit Borrowers in Detroit, Warren, Dearborn
Newrez, a nonbank mortgage servicer and lender in Pennsylvania, has launched RezFund, an affordable lending program designed to eliminate barriers for qualifying borrowers in eligible census tracts in metropolitan statistical sreas including Detroit-Warren-Dearborn.
RezFund provides borrowers up to $8,000 in down payment and/or closing cost assistance. This first-time homebuyer program aims to foster sustainable homeownership.
“Our goal is to bridge the gap between the desire for homeownership and its realization,” says James Hecht, executive vice president of retail lending at Newrez. “RezFund is a testament to our commitment to empowering underserved consumers by providing accessible credit options.”
For more information about RezFund, visit newrez.com.
Detroit City Distillery Debuts Orange Cream Pączki Day Vodka
Detroit City Distillery (DCD) will add a limited-edition version of Pączki Day Vodka (PDV), distilled with orange cream paczki from New Palace Bakery of Hamtramck, to its purchase options. Online sales begin Friday.
Additionally, DCD’s Hometown Horseradish, distilled with raw horseradish, will return and become part of DCD’s permanent lineup of spirits. This vodka is made from pungent, raw horseradish and 100 percent Michigan corn vodka.
“Each year, we push ourselves to invent new versions of PDV that make our fans say, ‘I gotta have that,’” says J.P. Jerome, master distiller and co-owner of Detroit City Distillery. “This year’s big surprise is Orange Cream Pączki Day Vodka. Just like PDV, it’s ultra-smooth, with a hit of orange cream and buttery pastry. On top of that, Hometown Horseradish returns and will now be available year-round. Our customers love its kick, especially in a Bloody Mary.”
Also, this year, DCD will increase the supply of Pączki Day Vodka available for direct-to-consumer shipping in select states nationwide via its new partner, Seelbach’s, an online distributor of craft spirits.
Pączki Day Vodka and Orange Cream Pączki Day Vodka are $35 each. Hometown Horseradish Vodka is $30. All will go on sale online at 8 a.m. on Friday at detroitcitydistillery.com/shop. All three will be available for pick up at DCD’s Tasting Room at 2462 Riopelle St. in Eastern Market at 4 p.m. starting that same day.
For those outside Michigan, Pączki Day Vodka also can be purchased online and shipped nationally via Seelbach’s.
On Feb. 10, from 10 a.m.-11 p.m., DCD will host its annual Pączki Day Party at its Tasting Room on Riopelle Street, indoors and outdoors, with limited capacity and free admission. The outdoor patio area encompasses an entire city block. Food, including Polish favorites, will be available for sale, along with PDV cocktails and DCD’s regular menu of spirits.
Davenport University Addresses Michigan Teacher Shortage via Urban Education Program
The Urban Education Program at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, through initiatives like the state of Michigan’s Talent Together program and partnerships with Michigan public school districts, is making a degree in urban education a reality for many throughout the state.
“We’ve seen a significant uptick in enrollment within our College of Urban Education graduate studies program, likely due in part to the influx of funding and scholarship opportunities,” says Rhonda White, associate dean and department chair of the College of Urban Education.
“There’s an increasing need for qualified teachers in Michigan, and Davenport’s program not only offers a formal teaching education, but it is designed to build the skills necessary for success in an urban education setting.”
Davenport’s enrollment increase can be partly attributed to new funding from Michigan’s Talent Together initiative, which allocated $66.4 million to a consortium of nine colleges and universities, including Davenport.
As a result, Davenport witnessed a surge in enrollment in the fall semester at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with more than 120 new graduate program students enrolling. The undergraduate program continues to see a steady increase.
Davenport University launched the College of Urban Education program in 2013 to address the increasing demand for educators, especially in urban school districts.
Davenport’s College of Urban Education Program employs a distinctive mentoring model for its undergraduate and graduate students designed to ready them for the intense work in classrooms, especially ones filled with students who have complex economic and family dynamics.
The College of Urban Education operates online, providing students with flexibility, while in-person resources are available when needed for southeast Michigan students at Davenport’s Warren Campus (27500 Dequindre Road). On-campus resources include admissions, academic counselors, financial aid services, and career counseling.
For more information about the College of Urban Education, visit here.
One Mike Detroit Comedy Club Opens in Downtown Detroit
One Mike Detroit, a new comedy club at 1331 Broadway St. in downtown Detroit (in the Z Deck in the space formerly occupied by Punch Bowl Social), opened its showroom on Jan. 18.
The “Harlem Nights”-themed event featured the comedic performances of Mike Epps, Henry Welch, and Dominique Witten, alongside a 60-minute concert by The Whispers, a Grammy award-winning music group. The evening also featured local comedians J Will and CoCo.
“We are excited to showcase some of the amazing talent that Detroit has to offer,” says Kimberly Moore, co-owner and CEO of One Mike Detroit. “One Mike Detroit is not only bringing entertainment to the city, but also providing opportunities for local artists to shine. We’re here to make a difference and contribute positively to the city’s economic development.”
The 12,000-square-foot showroom seats more than 400 guests and showcases movie posters and quotes from Epps’ movies.
For more information, visit onemikedetroit.com.
Detroit Mercy Theatre Co. Presents ‘Photograph 51’
University of Detroit Mercy Theatre Co. presents the Michigan premiere of “Photograph 51” by Anna Ziegler, a play that tells the story of unsung scientific hero Rosalind Franklin, at the Marlene Boll Theatre inside Detroit’s Boll Family YMCA Feb. 9-18.
Set in the 1950s, the play explores the competition among scientists as they race to unravel the secrets of the double helix structure of DNA, the biological organism containing each individual’s genetic code. At the heart of the story is Franklin, a scientist whose work is overlooked and undervalued due to her gender.
“Rosalind’s passion to discover and seek out the unknown is familiar to me,” says Kennikki Jones-Jones, director of the production. “Her fight and endurance in pursuit of a technological breakthrough against cultural restraints and pressure teaches me. I love that she is rooted in truth, that she was a real woman who walked this Earth, and I am grateful that I get to share her story with the world.”
“Photograph 51” takes the audience on a journey through the world of scientific discovery and raises questions about the nature of scientific progress, the role of women in science, and the ethics of scientific competition.
“Although set in the 1950s, the story still resonates today, especially as we see more and more women entering STEM careers and fighting for the same understanding and recognition as their male counterparts,” says Andrew Papa, chair of Detroit Mercy’s Department of Performing Arts.
For dates and times of performances, and to purchase tickets, visit DetroitMercyArts.com.
Youth, Amateur Sporting Events Pumped $87.9M into West Michigan Economy
The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) in Grand Rapids reported today youth/amateur sports tourism generated $87.9 million in estimated economic impact for the region in 2023.
The report says the windfall was from 121 events, the second highest year in the organization’s 16-year history and a 60 percent gain from five years ago in 2019. It also saw a 7.1 percent increase in the number of events from 2022 and 22 percent increase from 2019, plus a 9.2 percent increase in athletes/visitors from 2022 and 21 percent increase from 2019.
“We closed out one of the best years in our organization’s history for growing our region’s economy through sport,” says Mike Guswiler, president of the West Michigan Sports Commission. “Included in that success was generating the highest estimated economic impact yet for the Meijer Sports Complex and Meijer State Games of Michigan. Clearly, sports tourism is a key economic lever for west Michigan.”
