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.
Cranbrook’s Annual Women Rock Science Gala Set for Oct. 11
The Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills will host its sixth annual Women Rock Science fundraiser and gala at 6 p.m. on Oct. 11.
This women-led fundraising event aims to inspire all children to pursue STEAM careers, with an emphasis on young women.
Since 2018, Women Rock Science proceeds have helped to provide STEAM educational opportunities, delivered by Cranbrook Institute of Science, to Pre-K-12 students in underserved communities throughout Michigan, including Detroit, Pontiac, Flint, and others.
This year’s event will honor three women who are making an impact and difference in Michigan, and across the country, in STEAM education. Honorees include:
Wanda Cook-Robinson, superintendent of Oakland Schools — Outstanding Leader Award.
Stacey D. Jackson, K-12 mathematics and science supervisor for the School District of the City of Pontiac — Outstanding Educator Award.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, associate dean for Public Health and C.S. Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine — Rock Star Award.
Attendees will have the opportunity to feel the impact STEAM education has on the development of children in Michigan; hear from the three honorees; discover how Galileo’s fearless work in science, physics and astronomy has shaped our modern world at the Institute’s newest exhibit, “Galileo: Scientist, Astronomer, Visionary;” view the night sky in the Acheson Planetarium; participate in hands-on, interactive science experiments; and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and science-themed cocktails.
General admission tickets can be purchased for $125 or $250. Sponsorship packages are available and range in price from $1,000-$50,000. To purchase tickets and for more information about Women Rock Science please visit the Institute’s website. This gala is not only for women – men are welcome to attend.
For more information, visit here.
Troy’s Skyline Champion Invests $138M in ECN Capital in Toronto
Skyline Champion Corp. in Troy has entered into a subscription agreement and agreed to invest $138 million in ECN Capital Corp., a financing company based in Toronto.
Upon closing, Skyline Champion is expected to own an approximately 19.9 percent interest in ECN Capital.
In connection with the deal, ECN Capital and Skyline Champion will form a captive finance company that will be 51 percent owned by Skyline Champion and 49 percent owned by Triad Financial Services Inc., an ECN Capital subsidiary. The captive finance company will provide a tailored retail finance loan program for customers and a new branded floorplan offering for Skyline Champion and its affiliates in the manufactured home finance space and will operate with services provided by Triad.
The captive finance company is expected to enable both companies to work more closely together to grow their respective businesses and create value for their stakeholders. Among other things, the captive finance company is expected to:
- Drive greater demand for product by providing broader and more attractive financing options and services for Skyline Champion’s customers.
- Enhance Skyline Champion’s turn-key homebuying solutions while magnifying the benefits of their digital and direct-to-consumer strategic investments.
- Generate increased retail loan originations and floorplan balances, driving growth and scale efficiencies for Triad.
“We are excited to announce this new strategic collaboration with one of our long-standing business partners,” says Mark Yost, president and CEO of Skyline Champion. “The partnership with Triad will help streamline the homebuying experience for our channel partners as well as the consumers of our homes. This will allow us to expand our ability to offer affordable housing solutions more efficiently while driving company-wide growth.
“The asset-light model of these financing solutions combined with the strength of our balance sheet allow us to partner with ECN Capital while continuing our investments in our longer-term commercial and operational initiatives. We are excited about the future and the benefits this investment will bring to both companies’ stakeholders.”
Report: Metro Detroit Home Sales Drop 22.3% Year-Over-Year in July
According to the latest RE/MAX of Southeastern Michigan Housing Report, in July metro Detroit home sales are down 22.3 percent year-over-year, the largest drop recorded since April when sales were down 30.6 percent. Month-over-month, home sales are down 14.2 percent.
Metro Detroit’s home sale prices fell 3.5 percent from June to July after reaching a peak in June, bringing the current median home sale price to $301,000. Home prices are up 2 percent year-over-year.
Other notable metrics from the latest report include:
- Macomb County saw the largest drop in home sales year-over-year at -26 percent.
- Livingston County saw the largest increase in home sale prices, with the median sales price up 7.4 percent over last year.
- Wayne County saw the largest increase in days on the market at 21.7 percent, with the average home now on the market for 28 days.
“The lower home sale numbers for July can be attributed to the severe lack of homes for sale, fluctuating interest rates and summer vacations that took buyers out of the market,” says Jeanette Schneider, president of RE/MAX of Southeastern Michigan. “Despite this dynamic, the real estate market is resilient as demand for homes is strong, and homes that are in good condition and priced correctly are selling quickly.”
Central City Integrated Health Rebrands as Central City Health
Central City Integrated Health, a Detroit-based federally qualified health center that offers comprehensive medical, dental, housing support, community re-entry services, and behavioral health care to residents of Detroit and Wayne County, announced that the organization has rebranded itself as Central City Health (CCH).
In addition to the rebrand, plans include expanded service offerings, which includes a new Community Engagement Team, a welcome center, and two new health care satellite locations in downtown Detroit that will be operational later this year.
The rebranding effort and expansion plans reflect on the nonprofit’s more than 50-year history in Detroit and keeps pace with a competitive healthcare environment and better represents the goals and capabilities of the organization.
“The new logo is contemporary, forward-thinking and was created with a new, bold color palette to demonstrate our organization’s next chapter,” says Kimberly Farrow, president and CEO of CCH. “We want Detroiters to see the CCH logo and be confident in where they seek their health care. Our vision is to reach an even wider segment of Wayne County residents with our comprehensive wraparound services.”
In celebration of the rebrand, CCH will host a free Community Health Fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Aug. 17, outside of its 10 Peterboro St. location in Detroit. Both adults and children can receive health screenings, schedule appointments, tour the CCH facility, register for health insurance, and enjoy healthy refreshments while being entertained by a live DJ.
The Community Health Fair also will offer back-to-school sports physicals and immunizations for school-age children, to help them start the year on a healthy note. Adults can get screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, dental care, and brain wellness.
Robert C. Larson Center for Leadership Applications Now Open
ULI Michigan in Detroit is launching this year’s Robert C. Larson Center for Leadership cohort in October.
The Robert C. Larson Center for Leadership is a curriculum-based program designed to train and mentor the next generation of real estate and land use leaders in Michigan. The program is named for the late Robert C. Larson, a nationally recognized and respected Michigan real estate professional, chairman emeritus of Larson Realty Group, trustee of the Urban Land Institute, and former chair of the ULI Foundation.
The program runs from October through June and is comprised of eight program days. Each program day has a specific topic of focus, such as infrastructure, regionalism, and the role of government, and take place at various locations around the metro Detroit area.
For more information and to apply to participate, visit here. Completed applications must be submitted to ULI Michigan via online form by 5 p.m. on Aug. 31.
HBA Charitable & Educational Foundation Announces Scholarship Winners
Th Bingham Farms-based Home Builders Association (HBA) of Southeastern Michigan’s Charitable & Educational Foundation is pleased to announce that 13 scholarships have been awarded through the HBA Skilled Trades Scholarship Fund this year.
HBA’s Foundation was created to give members — builders, remodelers, developers, and suppliers to the residential construction industry — the opportunity to give back to a charity that is uniquely aligned with their profession.
The 2023 scholarships were presented to:
- Ryan Lundy, Michigan State University, $5,000.
- Daniel Rich, South East Michigan Construction Academy (SEMCA), $3,000.
- Ian Tokie, Oakland Community College, $2,000.
- Katie Cross, Lansing Community College, $3,500.
- Braeden Paul Babcock, SEMCA, $2,500.
- Tre Brill, working in construction, $2,500 for tools, transportation, and gear.
- Wyatt Carnes, $2,500 for tools.
- Michael Yackley, Oakland Community College, $1,500.
- Logan Wise, SEMCA, $1,500.
- Garrison Scott Brown, Northern Michigan University, $1,000.
- Steven McManaman, SEMCA, $1,000.
- Ethan Durecka, SEMCA, $1,000.
- Ayden Acheson, SEMCA, $1,000
Applications for 2024 are being accepted now through June 14 here.
Michigan Science Center Unveils Interactive Mars Piece to Outer Space Exhibit
The Detroit-based Michigan Science Center’s (Mi-Sci) “Sun, Earth, Universe” exhibition has gone to Mars.
The outer space-focused display has been updated with “Build a Human Habitat on Mars,” a hands-on companion piece designed to inspire, engage, and educate the next generation about human exploration on the Red Planet.
“Space has fascinated people for thousands of years, and Mars is no exception,” says Christian Greer, president of Mi-Sci. “We are very excited to expand our ‘Sun, Earth, Universe’ exhibit to include contemporary explorations of the Red Planet.
“Like many of our exhibits, this new element uses informal learning and hands-on interactivity to put our guests at the center of science, which is core to what we do here at Mi-Sci.”
The new exhibit examines the technology and systems that would be needed for humans to survive and thrive on Mars, including how to get water to drink, oxygen to breathe, and shelter from the harsh environment. It also discusses the special efforts and resources needed to stay physically and mentally healthy living on a completely different planet.
The exhibit is hands-on and encourages guests to reflect on challenges and possible solutions for humans to live on Mars, including using building blocks to design their own imaginary habitats.
Northwood University in Midland Welcoming Largest Group of New Students in Years
Northwood University in Midland is preparing to welcome its largest group of new students in several years.
“While many colleges are experiencing a decline in enrollment, Northwood’s incoming new student enrollment has increased over 23 percent,” says Kent MacDonald, president of Northwood. “Many factors contribute to our enrollment success, including our unabashed commitment to developing graduates who believe in free enterprise, limited government, the rule of law, and personal responsibility.”
Collectively, these traits are known as The Northwood Idea.
“I am grateful to our trustees, staff, and faculty for their leadership and passion for The Northwood Idea,” MacDonald adds. “We must also acknowledge hundreds of high school teachers, counselors, community leaders, and parents who helped make it possible for Northwood to welcome our largest incoming freshmen class in several years.”
The public is invited to help welcome Northwood students to Midland during a Go MAD March from 5:30-7 p.m. in downtown Midland.
“Go MAD is a phrase coined by the late Coach Pat Riepma, who inspired thousands of people before he became sick with cancer and ultimately passed away in 2015,” says Andy Crioe, dean of student affairs at Northwood. “While Pat is no longer with us, his mantra of ‘Go MAD’— Go Make a Difference — lives on.”
Cripe explains the goal of Friday’s march is to continue building relationships between Northwood and the greater Midland community and educate students and families about all the offerings in downtown Midland.
To achieve that, the university works with downtown businesses to create passbooks that students will get stamped at participating locations. Northwood Student Life will provide prizes.
Disabled Asian American Female U-M Scientist Sues Howard Hughes Medical Institute
A discrimination lawsuit filed by University of Michigan pediatric neurologist Dr. Vivian Cheung against the Howard Hughes Medical Institute — one of the world’s leading medical research funders — is moving forward, per a recent Maryland Circuit Court ruling.
Cheung, a member of the U-M faculty member who has made discoveries in the field of rare disease, recently developed a rare condition herself — one that affects her balance and eyesight. When she disclosed her disability and asked for accommodation, HHMI terminated her contract.
MOCAD Presents ‘Free Your Mind: Art and Incarceration in Michigan’ Through Sept. 10
“Free Your Mind: Art and Incarceration in Michigan,” showcasing inner worlds of incarcerated individuals and the fundamental issues that shape conversations around incarceration today, will be on exhibit in Mike Kelley’s Mobile Homestead at MOCAD through Sept. 10.
The Michigan Justice Fund, a statewide initiative of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, the Prison Creative Arts Project at the University at Michigan, and MOCAD are partnering in this impactful exhibit, which first opened in April.
“Free Your Mind” features the work of artists, and advocates with lived experience in the criminal legal system. The majority of these artists are either currently or formerly incarcerated. The exhibition centers on four key topics of inquiry: Michigan’s length of sentencing and overcrowding in prisons; the impact of incarceration on women; youth incarceration; and the dangers of COVID-19. Free Your Mind is presented at MOCAD with support from the Michigan Justice Fund.
“The Michigan Justice Fund is proud to support the Free Your Mind exhibition which seeks to center and amplify voices and perspectives that we rarely hear – those of the incarcerated,” says Ashley Carter, fund director at Michigan Justice. “This exhibition underscores the urgency of the current moment and forces us all to grapple with the impact that incarceration has on individuals, their families, and our communities at large.”
“Free Your Mind” also will debut a portrait series highlighting leaders working to address systemic issues of mass incarceration statewide. The exhibition seeks to stimulate imagination and activate bold, solution driven responses towards creating a more equitable and just world.
Michigan Justice Fund is comprised of Michigan-based and national funders dedicated to advancing justice reform and the economic mobility of individuals with criminal convictions in Michigan. Since its inception in 2020, $20 million has been committed to the Michigan Justice Fund and more than $9 million has been deployed to organizations throughout the state.
For more information, visit here.
