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.
Elements Every Day Launches Inclusive Wellness Programming in West Bloomfield
Elements Every Day is introducing classes in the community space at the offices of Karen Faith in West Bloomfield Township aimed at promoting health and well-being across metro Detroit
Elements Every Day is an extension of Karen Faith’s mental health and wellness practice.
“The launch of Elements Every Day is a significant milestone for our community,” says Karen Faith Gordon, founder and owner of both Karen Faith and Elements Every Day. “We have a diverse group of certified practitioners who are already creating opportunities for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to engage with the space.”
Classes began in early February, with eight teachers offering 10 different types of sessions, including gentle yoga, chair yoga, discussion groups, strength and balance exercises, and cognitive stimulation classes. Gordon expects to add music therapy, new workshops, and other types of yoga in the coming months.
The concept being executed at Elements Every Day is the first of its kind in metro Detroit, says Gordon.
“Elements Every Day has always been a key part of my broader vision for this practice,” she says. “The businesses offer services on two sides of the same coin, providing a holistic approach to client and community wellness.”
Classes are open to 10 participants and are offered every weekday. The full schedule is available here.
Gordon is hosting an open house from noo-5 p.m. on March 22. Those interested can register here.
Merit Network in Ann Arbor Receives Grant to Expand Internet Access for Rural Michigan
Merit Network in Ann Arbor is the recipient of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant for $997,000 to develop a connectivity and digital equity strategy to promote the expansion of high-speed internet in underserved rural Michigan communities.
According to the USDA website, “Under the Broadband Technical Assistance Program, USDA is providing $9.7 million to help 24 organizations deliver or receive technical assistance to expand high-speed internet access for people in rural and Tribal communities across 17 states. This funding will also develop and expand broadband cooperatives in rural areas.”
“This grant provides a wonderful opportunity to help Michigan communities get on the right track to achieving broadband internet service and digital inclusion that improves quality of life and allows people to live, work, play and stay in the places they call home.” says Roger Blake president and CEO of Merit Network.
This project leverages the Digital Opportunities Compass framework to develop a community driven digital equity plan inclusive of infrastructure planning. This project includes several communities across eight rural communities of Michigan. Merit targeted communities that aligned with the funding opportunity best and represented a need for additional resources targeted toward broadband expansion and digital equity planning.
Walsh College Earns No. 1 Ranking for Online DBA Programs from Forbes
Walsh College in Troy has secured the No. slot on Forbe’s “Best Online DBA Degrees of 2024″ list and a top 10 ranking on its “Best Online Master’s in Information Technology Programs of 2024.”
Walsh claimed the top spot on the “Top 10 Best Online DBA Degrees of 2024” for its dedication to providing high-quality doctoral business education, aligning with the needs of working professionals, and fostering leaders equipped for the challenges of today’s dynamic business landscape.
Its place on the “Best Online Master’s in Information Technology Programs of 2024” list came from Walsh’s commitment to blending leadership strategies with advanced technical skills, preparing students for success in the evolving IT landscape.
Troy’s Rehmann Wins Diamond Award from ClearlyRated
Rehmann, a fully integrated professional advisory firm in Troy, has been named to ClearlyRated’s 2024 Best of Accounting list as a Diamond Winner. This is the firm’s ninth consecutive year being recognized as an industry leader in service quality, based entirely on ratings provided by its clients.
“Rehmann is thrilled to receive this distinction again, and we thank our clients for nominating the firm,” says Mitch Reno, principal and director of client experience at Rehmann. “We are committed to doing whatever it takes to proactively create better experiences every year for our clients.”
Rehmann boasted a “Likelihood-to-refer” satisfaction score of 9 or 10 out of 10 from 82 percent of the clients surveyed, which is higher than the industry average of 56 percent in 2023.
Learn more about Rehmann’s services at rehmann.com.
Macomb Community College to Spotlight Health Programs March 13
Potential students and their parents can learn what health and human services programs Macomb Community College has to offer during Discover Macomb at 7 p.m. March 13 on the college’s Center Campus (44575 Garfield Road, E Building, Room 114) in Clinton Township.
Representatives from Macomb’s Admissions Office will open the 90-minute session with a brief overview of the college. This will be followed by presentations by each program area: nursing, occupational and respiratory therapy, dental assistant and hygienist, and veterinary technician. Attendees will tour the college’s state-of-the-art health and human services educational facility and learn about program requirements, transfer plans, and connections to workforce opportunities, which will be followed by a question-and-answer period.
For more information and to register for the free event, visit here.
Communicare Michigan Opens New Location in Grand Rapids
Communicare Michigan, which has offices in Troy and Utica, has opened a vocational rehab program called The Care Boutique in Grand Rapids.
The rehabilitation day program focuses on client-centered vocational counseling, modeling real life work situations. Communicare provides neurocognitive and neurobehavioral services to individuals with post trauma, mental impairments and acquired brain injuries through a functional, community integrated, and multidisciplinary approach.
Clients have an array of paid work experience and skill options. They create products to be sold in the store, do daily facility operations, vocational education, social media, and maintaining the storefront. The Care Boutique offers a “fabulous shopping experience with something for everyone.” The selection includes both products created by clients as well as a variety of distinctive gifts, clothing, and home décor.
Communicare Michigan, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary, having locations in both Troy and Utica Michigan, is excited to welcome a West Michigan location. The ability to serve our clients on the east and west side of the state is critical to our dedication to providing individuals with mental and neurological impairments their maximum level of functioning in a unique community environment.
For more information, visit communicaremichigan.com.
BasBlue in Detroit Invites Community to Celebrate ED&I During Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month and Detroit nonprofit BasBlue has announced a series of community events, partnerships, and initiatives to mark the occasion.
On March 1, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., BasBlue is hosting a free community event celebrating Women’s History Month by honoring and paying tribute to women who actively advocate and drive change. This event presents an opportunity for community members to discover the world of BasBlue, engage with its community, and meet the leadership team.
Attendees can explore the historic BasBlue house and engage in activities on each floor, including specialty Women’s History Month cocktails, mocktails, light bites for purchase, a live podcast recording, merchandise giveaways, a DJ, influencer collaborations, a 360-degree photo booth, and more.
“Women’s History Month is a poignant reminder of both the barriers and triumphs women have encountered on their journey toward equity,” says Nancy Tellem, co-founder of BasBlue. “Despite the challenges, we stand on the shoulders of trailblazers whose tenacity, bravery, and unwavering leadership have paved the way for future generations. Every day, but especially this month, BasBlue celebrates these individuals and the women right here in our very own community.”
The event is free to attend but an RSVP is required and space is limited. Visit here to register.
BasBlue is launching its very own podcast channel as a pilot program in March. The series, titled “Fearless Fridays,” aims to celebrate and highlight remarkable women and their inspiring stories. Hosted by a BasBlue team member or partner, “Fearless Fridays” will engage in lively conversations, offering insights from leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, BasBlue members, and the broader southeast Michigan community. The themes explored on “Fearless Fridays” will include overcoming barriers and promoting inclusivity within the startup ecosystem to personal stories from women in the community and the importance of giving back.
Basblue also is partnering with Omniwomyn, a network of women supporting each other in the workplace, to host an OmniProm Dress Drive. As nonprofit organizations serving the metro Detroit area, the group’s hope to provide area youth in need of prom dresses the opportunity to enjoy this culturally significant event in life without financial barriers.
Community members are encouraged to drop off gently used or new formal dresses they are willing to donate at BasBlue from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays and from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays throughout March.
BasBlue and Omniwomyn are seeking volunteers to sort, label, and bag dresses at BasBlue on March 29. To learn how to donate or sign up to volunteer, visit BasBlue’s here.
To learn more about BasBlue and the programming for Women’s History Month, visit basblueus.com.
ACG Detroit to Host Panel Discussion on Acquiring, Retaining a Diverse Team March 12
ACG Detroit will host a panel discussion on best practices for locating, hiring, and retaining diverse talent on Tuesday, March 12 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Birmingham Community House.
During the discussion, panelists will share resources for setting up and implementing internships, finding qualified recruits, and strategies for retaining diverse talent once you have them. Panelists include JoAnn Chávez, senior vice president and chief legal officer at DTE Energy; Mike Khoury, regional program manager at CareerSpring; Bernadette Pieters, chief DE&I officer and people and culture principal at BDO; with Jeff Wyatt, senior director at DWH Corp., serving as moderator.
Ticket prices are as follows — members: $75, non-members: $95. For more information and to register, visit here.
State Awards $72.5M in Blight Elimination Funds to Create Housing Opportunities
The State of Michigan Land Grant Authority has announced recipients of $72.5 million in grants to support projects that convert underutilized land into affordable housing opportunities and build safer, more prosperous communities through the final rounds of the Blight Elimination Program.
The funds are part of ongoing, statewide blight elimination efforts and were awarded in two rounds to be used for demolition or stabilization of public or privately owned structures as well as environmental remediation or rehabilitation.
“These dollars are not just figures on a balance sheet, they signify a tangible investment in Michigan’s future,” says Susan Corbin, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and chair of the State Land Bank Board of Directors. “The distribution of funding in rounds three and four represent the culmination of a historic contribution to land banking and blight elimination that will make a real difference, revitalizing neighborhoods, stimulating economic growth and fostering a sense of pride and possibility across our state.”
A full list of grant recipients is available on the State Land Bank website.
For more information, visit here.
Advancing Macomb Awarded $1M to Build Pedestrian Bridge Over Clinton River Spillway
Advancing Macomb, a Mount Clemens-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to solve community challenges and enrich the lives of Macomb County residents, was awarded a $1 million grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to build a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Clinton River Spillway in Harrison Township.
The grant was awarded in partnership with the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development. It will be added to other funding sources to complete the project. The estimated cost for this project is $3.5 million, and construction is expected to begin this year.
“We are extremely grateful to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation for this generous grant,” says Phil Gilchrist, executive director of Advancing Macomb. “Trailway improvements such as this pedestrian bridge are important for increasing access to Macomb County’s many recreational assets, and we are happy to be able to support this project.”
The project also includes a multi-use path along Jefferson Avenue in Harrison Township. The path will begin at St. Christopher Street and head north for approximately 0.4 miles on Jefferson Avenue until it reaches the Clinton River Spillway.
The bicycle and pedestrian bridge will be a single-span prefabricated steel truss structure approximately 202 feet long, with a 14-foot-wide clear opening. Once across the bridge, users can take the multi-use path to connect to an existing 10-foot path that takes them into Lake St. Clair Metropark and connects to the Macomb County Freedom Trail. The project also includes an additional 0.1 miles of 10-foot path along Jefferson Avenue to connect cyclists and pedestrians to Harrison Township’s Downtown District, the waterfront park, the senior center, and the Michigan DNR boat launch.
The project is part of the Great Lakes Way Trail, a regional trail spanning four counties. Currently, the trail runs approximately eight miles through St. Clair Shores into Harrison Township, where it continues for approximately 1.5 miles until it hits a stopping point at the Clinton River Spillway. The new bridge corrects this gap.
Pope Francis Center to Honor Nancy Pulte Rickard and Joe Tate at Building Bridges Gala
Nancy Pulte Rickard, president of the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, and Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) will be honored for their work improving lives and uplifting those struggling on the margins of society at Pope Francis Center’s 2024 Building Bridges Gala on April 11.
“We are truly honored to have Nancy and Speaker Tate as our distinguished guests at this year’s Building Bridges Gala,” says Fr. Tim McCabe SJ, president and CEO of the Pope Francis Center. “As we work together toward our goal of ending chronic homelessness in Detroit, these two individuals have been tremendous partners through their strong leadership and passion for helping those less fortunate among us.”
The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation supports nonprofits and academic institutions that work to address humanitarian initiatives in the United States and globally and has long been a supporter of the Pope Francis Center. Rickard is the daughter of company founder William Pulte.
Tate, Michigan’s first Black Speaker of the House and a Detroit native, has been instrumental in setting legislative priorities that put people first and uplift city residents from across the economic spectrum, according to the Pope Francis Center. He is serving his third term in the Michigan Legislature and represents the 10th House District.
The Building Bridges Gala raises funds for Pope Francis Center’s daily operations of providing nutritious meals and support services to more than 200 people six days a week from its location on St. Antoine Street in Detroit.
Lear Corp. and Magna International are presenting sponsors for the event, which will take place on the playing field of Ford Field in Detroit. To learn more about the 2024 Building Bridges Gala, including sponsorship opportunities and to buy tickets, visit here.
