
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.
’Detroit: The City of Faith’ to Debut Friday on DPTV
“Detroit: The City of Faith,” the latest documentary from Wixom-based filmmaker Keith Famie, will debut on Friday at 8 p.m. on Detroit Public Television.
The film is an inspiring story of Detroit’s ethnically rich faith community featuring Armenian, Chaldean, Lebanese, Syrian, Scottish, Polish, Hispanic, African American, and German Christian traditions.
The documentary recently premiered at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth Township to a diverse audience of around 180 people. Under one roof, spiritual leaders and congregation members attended from Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church, Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, St. John Armenian Church, Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit, Second Baptist Church of Detroit, Basilica of St. Mary, and St. Joseph Chaldean Catholic Church.
- Prior to the start of the premiere at Saint John’s Resort, Msgr. Charles Kosanke, Very Rev. Aren Jebejian, Rev. Lawrence Rodgers, Rev. Darryl Lee Andrzejewski, Rev. Edwin Estevez, Rev. Kelsey Sorge, Rev. Patrick Setto, and Fr. George Shalhoub offered personal prayers.
To view a trailer of the film, visit here.
Simplicity Group in New Jersey Acquires M&O Marketing in Southfield
Simplicity Group in New Jersey has acquired Southfield’s M&O Marketing, an independent insurance marketing organization in the fixed annuity, life insurance, and long-term care markets. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
CoreCap, M&O’s affiliate broker/dealer and registered investment advisory firm, also was included in the transaction. Dennis and Denise Brown become Simplicity’s newest partners and will continue to run M&O’s day-to-day business activities.
“I am excited to enter our next chapter in partnership with Simplicity,” says Dennis Brown. “This group is comprised of the industry’s most trusted and talented leaders, some of whom have been my closest friends in the business for decades. We are committed to become the gold standard in the independent financial services industry – something Simplicity has sought to do from its formation years ago.”
M&O is arguably the oldest and longest-standing independent insurance marketing organization. Founded in metro Detroit in 1976 as a regional long-term care brokerage, M&O has grown for 48 years into one of the nation’s leading retirement product distribution firms. Today, M&O supports thousands of independent financial professionals across the country.
“Dennis is an icon in our industry and exemplifies the same integrity and commitment to client service for which Simplicity has always been known,” says Bruce Donaldson, president and CEO of Simplicity. “Under Dennis’ leadership, M&O has helped improve the businesses and lives of the advisors they serve with top-tier financial products, services, and technology. With this partnership, we have onboarded the energy, skill, and talent of the entire M&O team, as we become the single largest financial products distribution firm in America.”
MiLEAP Introduces College Success Grants to Help Boost Graduation Rates
Michigan community and tribal colleges and universities can apply for College Success Grants, recently introduced by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). The funding can be used to create, support, or improve programs or strategies that increase student success and boost graduation rates.
“MiLEAP is excited to announce the next available grant opportunity to help all public Michigan colleges and tribal colleges and universities improve student outcomes,” says Michelle Richard, acting director of MiLEAP. “These grant dollars will provide the support our colleges need to implement new or build upon already successful programs. We encourage eligible institutions to take advantage of this grant program to help their students continue building on their success and thrive.”
The College Success Grants are part of a new $45 Million Student Success grant initiative, the state’s first ever grant program aimed at increasing student success rates at Michigan community and tribal colleges and universities. The initiative will help the state achieve its Sixty by 30 goal of 60 percent of adults with a skill certificate or college degree by 2030 and ensure more Michiganders have the degrees and certificates needed to make it in Michigan.
The College Success Grants are broken down into three subcategories: Amplify, Accelerate, and Go Big.
Amplify: Include awards of up to $200,000 over the course of one to two years and focus on strengthening an already successfully implemented intervention that would benefit from a rapid infusion of funds or to sustainably scale up an intervention or improvement approach that has proven successful.
Accelerate: Include awards of up to $650,000 over the course of two to three years and focus on implementing, improving, or expanding promising practices and evidence-based reforms that build on or align to a broader institutional student success strategy.
Go Big: Include awards of up to $1 million over the course of two to three years and focus on scaling evidence-based improvements aligned to a coherent institution student success strategy and theory of change.
Eligible applicants include community colleges, tribal colleges, public colleges and universities, and nonprofit organizations partnering with a college or university.
There are three application and award windows for 2024, that include:
- April 12 application deadline with a May award date.
- July 12 application deadline with an August award date.
- 18 application deadline with a November award date.
For more information, visit here.
Registration Now Open for the Lee Group’s 10th Annual Small Business Workshop
The Lee Group (TLG) announces its 10th annual Small Business Workshop will take place from A a.m.-noon on May 15 at The Corner Ballpark – Detroit PAL HQ in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood. It is being presented by Fifth Third Bank.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from business experts, entrepreneurs, and community leaders and delve into important small business community issues in Detroit. The event is free for all registered attendees.
The theme for this year’s event is “Embracing Change while Moving Forward.”
The objective of this year’s workshop is to focus on re-establishing a strong foundation and strengthening the core of small businesses while looking toward the future. The goal is to identify practical solutions needed as businesses navigate economic cycles and potentially, an economy in flux.
For the first time, there will be a Pitch Competition titled “Pitch for Success: Embracing Change while Moving Forward Competition.” This competition provides a platform to highlight innovative and groundbreaking ideas for business services that can propel businesses forward. The pitches will be evaluated by a panel of industry experts based on their originality, feasibility, and potential impact on the business services industry. Participants will have the opportunity to win financial resource and access to other services.
The 10th year of the Small Business Workshop also brings back the “Fireside Chat” featuring Mark S. Lee, president and CEO of the Lee Group, and former Detroit Lion Herman Moore, founder and CEO of Team 84. As an entrepreneur, Moore will highlight how his business has embraced change. Additionally, the conversation will discuss his efforts through the Tackle Life Foundation to support young people with various academic, mental, and nutritional programs.
For more Information and to register, visit here.
New Orleans RTA Selects Allison eGen Flex-equipped New Flyer Electric Hybrid Buses
Allison Transmission, an Indianapolis-based auto supplier with an electrification engineering center in Auburn Hills, has partnered with bus manufacturer New Flyer to supply Allison-equipped electric hybrid buses to the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA).
The buses are equipped with the Allison eGen Flex electric hybrid propulsion system, which will provide a more sustainable transportation solution to the city of New Orleans.
“Incorporating buses equipped with Allison’s electric hybrid system directly supports RTA’s mission to provide safe, dependable, efficient transit services to the residents of and visitors to greater New Orleans,” says Lona Edwards Hankins, CEO of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority. “In our region, emergency preparedness is critical. If we’re faced with a natural disaster, the eGen Flex’s rechargeable energy storage capabilities will allow RTA buses to operate without the need to stop often for fuel, or at a charging station.”
MxD, LIFT Celebrate Joint 10-year Anniversary
MxD and LIFT, manufacturing innovation institutes sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense based in Chicago and Detroit, respectively, celebrate a decade of bolstering the vitality of the American manufacturing sector and strengthening the nation’s defense industrial base in 2024.
Recognizing manufacturing is a major driver of both innovative research and development and a pathway to high-paying jobs, public and private founders established MxD and LIFT in response to the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression to reinvigorate, revitalize, and reshore U.S. manufacturing.
Since its launch, MxD has collaborated with its nearly 300 members on a portfolio of close to 180 R&D, cybersecurity, and workforce development projects across 35 states. Its workforce development arm, MxD Learn, has supported more than 250,000 learners, including K-12 students, post-secondary students, current workers, and educators through online learning courses, workshops, projects, and visits. And MxD Cyber has provided thousands of U.S. manufacturers a unified and systematic approach to securing their operations by providing the tools, protocols, skills, and information they need to undertake a secure digital transformation.
LIFT has evolved over the last 10 years to become the national advanced materials manufacturing innovation institute, working at the intersection of advanced materials, manufacturing processes, systems engineering, and talent development. Over the last decade, LIFT has developed an ecosystem of more than 340 members, executed more than 150 technology and talent development programs and impacted more than 250,000 students, including providing advanced manufacturing certification opportunities for thousands of adult learners. LIFT has also leaned into its national mandate with a satellite facility in Puerto Rico and plans for another in Florida.
Metronet Now Delivering Advanced Online Security and Fiber Optic Speed
Illinois-based Metronet, which provides internet connectivity in Michigan and other states, announced new Metronet customers are eligible to upgrade to eero Plus, a premium digital security subscription for a better internet experience when paired with Metronet-supported eero devices.
Combining the best Wi-Fi security and network management features, eero Plus offers advanced security protection, advanced parental controls, content filters, ad blocking, Internet Backup, VPN, a password manager, internet activity insights, Wi-Fi radio metrics, and remote online network control, creating a more secure internet experience, according to Metronet.
Advanced security capability with eero Plus is available to verifiable new Metronet customers who signed up on or after March 4, with Metronet’s offer for eero devices.
For more information, visit metronet.com.
Greenleaf Trust Among USA Today’s 2024 Top Workplaces
Greenleaf Trust is a recipient of the 2024 Top Workplaces USA award. This achievement underscores the organization’s dedication to fostering a people-first workplace culture and prioritizing the employee experience, according to the company.
The national recognition celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that have cultivated exceptional workplace environments. Of the more than 42,000 invited organizations, Greenleaf Trust achieved the award based solely on an employee engagement survey administered by Energage, the HR technology and research firm behind the Top Workplaces program. Survey results were evaluated by comparing responses to research-based statements that predict high performance against industry benchmarks.
Greenleaf Trust also was named as one of the 2024 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in Metro Detroit and West Michigan by the National Association for Business Resources. This year marks the 14th consecutive year of receiving these awards.
HAVEN of Oakland County Announces April 19 Annual Gala
HAVEN of Oakland County in Pontiac invites the community to support sexual assault survivors and help raise awareness at its Annual Gala at 6 p.m. on April 19 at The Royal Park Hotel in Rochester.
Oakland County’s only nonprofit organization dedicated to offering comprehensive services for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault, HAVEN is at the forefront of the fight against these pervasive issues. The organization serves individuals and families who face the daunting task of leaving everything behind to escape abusive situations, guiding them toward safety, strength, and a new beginning.
The Annual Gala, HAVEN’s most significant fundraising event of the year, will feature stories of hope and resilience from survivors, live music, a silent auction, and a gourmet seated dinner. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the courage of survivors and to stand with them in their journey towards healing and empowerment.
Tickets are $250 per person, which includes reserved seating. To support the involvement of younger community members, HAVEN offers a discounted $150 Young Professional ticket for those 35 and under. For those looking to make a more significant impact, VIP Tables are available for $3,000, featuring program, digital recognition, and reserved seating for 10 guests. Additional sponsorship opportunities also are available.
To purchase tickets or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit haven-oakland.org.
Henry Ford College BMQFG’s Planning Black Male Retention Conference for April 19
The Henry Ford College (HFC) Black Male and Queens Focus Group (BMQFG) will host its fifth annual Black Male Retention, Success, and Best Practices Conference on Friday, April 19, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on the first floor of the Andrew A. Mazzara Administrative Services & Conference Center (ASCC) (Building L on the main campus).
The theme of this year’s conference is “Children of the Diaspora Educate through the Word: Refinement, Knowledge, and the Art of Hip Hop.” The keynote speaker for this year’s conference is Akil Houston of Ohio State University. Houston is the assistant dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion, the chief diversity officer of the OSU College of Dentistry, a researcher, and author.
“We are excited to have Dr. Houston return to the college for the fifth anniversary of this conference,” says Kalvin DaRonne Harvell, founder and faculty advisor of the college’s BMQFG. “Dr. Houston is the quintessential scholar, who demonstrates his commitment to excellence through both words and deeds.”
Thie conference has been designed to establish clear academic success pathways from high schools to community colleges, as well as four-year educational institutions and beyond. High school counselors and teachers, college faculty members, admissions representatives, and administrators will be onsite during the conference to address concerns regarding financial aid, college readiness, college transfers, résumé writing, and other issues pertaining to academic success.
Sessions will be designed with the intent to address the specific needs of students based on their academic locations. Pathways are uniquely designed for individuals preparing for college and individuals who are currently enrolled in college.
This conference is free and open to the public. Register here by April 5.
Sand Lake Property in West Michigan Among Vrbo’s 2024 Vacation Rentals of the Year
Sandy Lakehouse, on Baptist Lake in Sand Lake, north of Grand Rapids, is among the 2024 Vacation Rentals of the Year, according to Vrbo.
The property “is a stunning lakeside home beyond compare,” says the website. “It’s decked out with every amenity imaginable, including a professional-grade gym, custom sports court for basketball and pickleball games, and a fully equipped game room. This is a perfect spot to host family and friends for a summer vacation or for a quick weekend escape, located only half an hour from Grand Rapids.”
For more information, visit here.