
Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies, including updates about the COVID-19 pandemic. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
Grow Detroit’s Young Talent Kicks Off with 8,000+ Youth Working
The Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT) program, the city’s jobs program for 8,068 Detroit youth ages 14-24, kicked off Monday starting its eighth year.
“After two years of having to launch the GDYT program at smaller events due to COVID-19, it’s great to be able to hold our launch announcement back in the neighborhoods again this year,” says Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “The launch of GDYT is one of my favorite events of the year, as the program showcases and grows the talents of youth who will be our leaders 10, 20, or 30 years from now. With over 8,000 summer job experiences this year, we are making our 60,000th GDYT summer job available in 2022.”
This year’s launch event took place at the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan (BGCSM) Diehl Campus on Detroit’s west side. This year, BGCSM will host 40 youth for their GDYT experience, focused specifically on coding skills and app development via Apple’s Code to Career program.
“It wouldn’t be possible for Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan to accomplish our mission of ensuring that youth are career, start up and homeowner ready without the support of City programs like GDYT,” says Shawn Wilson, president and CEO of BGCSM. “Together, we are providing youth with a paid steppingstone into careers in Technology, Fashion, Urban Planning, and more this summer. Youth will develop skills and gain networks which help them climb the economic mobility ladder, while developing the talent pipeline for the City of Detroit.”
New features for the 2022 GDYT program include:
- Free one-on-one professional counseling on debt, credit and budgeting.
- A Career Pathways Plus initiative to match youth with businesses in their preferred industries.
- Expansion of the Industry-Led Training track to include credentialing in social media marketing and digital consumer education.
Grow Detroit’s Young Talent is raising more than $13 million in 2022 to support the more than 8,000 job experiences in this year’s program from a wide range of partners, including Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center Factory ZERO, General Motors Co.’s first fully dedicated electric vehicle assembly plant with battery assembly. At Factory ZERO, youth will get to experience work across a wide range of manufacturing disciplines, including technologies, processes, and skills specific to general assembly, paint, quality, industrial engineering, and more.
Youth will complete a total of 120 hours in the GDYT program, earning an increased pay rate for 2022 of up to $15 an hour, or a total stipend of up to $1,800, depending on age and experience. This increased pay rate allows GDYT to remain competitive in today’s market.
2022 GDYT career experiences will run until mid-August.
Detroit Startup ToDooly Picked for Google Latino Founders Fund Grant
ToDooly, a technology platform based in Detroit, was selected to take part in the $5 million Latino Founders Fund focused on high-potential startups founded by Latin entrepreneurs based in the U.S.
ToDooly, run by founder and CEO Sergio Rodriguez-Valenzuela, was one of 50 businesspeople awarded $100,000 in cash, $100,000 in Google Cloud credits, hands-on support from Googlers, access to free mental health therapy, and more.
Rodriguez-Valenzuela has been recognized and endorsed by dozens of his peers for his public speaking, leadership, and fundraising abilities. He was one of six to graduate with a degree in biomedical physics from Wayne State University in 2017, and the only one who managed to do it debt-free through manual labor.
ToDooly, therefore, connects communities and provides access to formative work experiences to young adults through manual labor.
For more information, visit here.
Saline Native Launches Wellness Startup Called vellum
Saline native John Larson has co-founded Indianapolis-based vellum, a platform helps frontline health care teams build cohesion in the workplace and lead healthier, more joyful lives. It also initiated a partnership with Indiana University Health, which provided pre-seed investment.
Larsen, the company’s CEO, is an experienced operations executive and startup founder whose career has been driven by using technology to touch people’s lives. Co-founder Daria Byrne has extensive clinical, informatics, product development, and leadership experience, initially practicing as a bedside registered nurse, and then serving in leadership roles in the health care IT and consulting space.
“I’m thrilled to partner with IU Health as we launch vellum to aid an essential part of our workforce,” says Larsen. “At vellum, we believe it’s time we do better for frontline teams, and the answer lies in a true human response — not just more time on a screen. By understanding these teams’ current emotional wellness, fostering a culture of caring and authenticity, and proactively identifying individuals at risk for burnout, we have an opportunity to create a paradigm shift both in health care and beyond.”
UWM to Return to NYSE with 100 Independent Mortgage Brokers
United Wholesale Mortgage in Pontiac says it’s bringing 100 independent mortgage brokers to the New York Stock Exchange and ringing the closing bell on National Mortgage Brokers Day, July 18.
“UWM celebrates independent mortgage brokers every day for the incredible value they bring to both borrowers and real estate agents in their local communities, and we are proud to recognize them again at the iconic New York Stock Exchange,” says Mat Ishbia, chairman and CEO of UWMC. “The wholesale channel is seeing fantastic growth because borrowers and real estate agents are seeing what we’ve known to be true for decades: mortgage brokers are the fastest, easiest and cheapest place to get a mortgage, period.”
These 100 brokers represent the thousands of independent mortgage brokers across America who entered for a chance to ring the closing bell.
UWM and these mortgage brokers will ring the NYSE closing bell on Monday, July 18, at 4 p.m.
Six Credit Unions Renew with Detroit’s Bankjoy After Successful Conversion
After recently converting 16 credit unions to its end-to-end digital service ecosystem, Detroit-based Bankjoy has renewed with six additional credit unions, pointing to credit unions’ commitment to delivering superior, modern digital experiences.
Featuring a fast and seamless implementation process, Bankjoy’s modern banking technology continues to experience substantial growth. Supporting its rapid conversions is its close integration with Corelation’s KeyStone core platform.
Bankjoy recently was named an official Corelation Certified Partner, which recognizes fintechs that have successfully interfaced with its KeyBridge API, as well as met Corelation’s guidelines. Credit unions who select core platforms that Bankjoy has integrated with its digital banking service have implemented Bankjoy in as little as 30 days with no disruption to member service.
Among the credit unions to renew with Bankjoy are:
- Georgia Heritage Federal Credit Union in Georgia.
- One Detroit Credit Union.
- Advantage Plus Federal Credit Union in Idaho.
- SafeAmerica Credit Union in California.
- Coca-Cola Federal Credit Union in Georgia.
- CommunityWide Federal Credit Union in Indiana.
Minority-led One Detroit Credit Union was formed in 1935 as the Detroit Newspaper Industrial Credit Union, One Detroit served the people who worked in the newspaper industry. In the 1970s, it changed its name to be more inclusive of other industries such as radio, television, printing, and publishing. The credit union continued to expand, helping to fill the financial services gap within its communities. Today, it aims to unify the community of Detroiters by delivering outstanding services backed by modern banking technology like Bankjoy.
Priority Health Expands Maternity Management Program to Additional Members
Priority Health in Grand Rapids has expanded its maternity management program, PriorityMOM, to ASO, Medicaid, and individual members.
PriorityMOM offers support to expectant mothers by walking alongside them through their pregnancy. The program helps reduce the total cost of maternity care, preterm births, and postpartum readmissions. Since PriorityMOM launched in June 2021 as a pilot program, more than 400 expectant mothers have enrolled.
For more information, visit here.
Black Legacy Advancement Coalition to Host Health Is Wealth – Detroit
The Black Legacy Advancement Coalition is launching Health Is Wealth – Detroit, a wellness expo designed to bring education, fun, joy, healing, and restoration to the city of Detroit through conversations, resources, and experiences about the community’s collective health and wellness.
“We are bringing the city’s leading wellness experts and influencers together for an action-packed day full of unforgettable events and activities,” says Dexter Sullivan, president of The Black Legacy Advancement Coalition. “This free event will bring people together around dynamic performances and thousands of dollars in giveaways.”
Health Is Wealth will take place from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Aug. 16 at Shed 3 of the Eastern Market.
There will be activities for all ages, including musical performances, a kid’s gym experience, workshops, fireside chats, food trucks, and giveaways. The entire day will be a come-and-go atmosphere, making it accessible to everyone.
For more information about the event and to register, visit HealthisWealthDetroit.com.
Detroit’s Duravent becomes Duravent Group, Invests $1M in Innovation Center
The Detroit-based Duravent Group, a global leader in HVAC technology systems and solutions, launched its 22,000-square-foot Innovation Center recently with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Duravent is committed to a strong presence in Michigan as demonstrated by our new innovation center in Grand Rapids, and an expanding headquarters in downtown Detroit,” says Simon A. Davis, president and CEO of the Duravent Group. “Our ability to innovate, lead, and grow in the HVAC and emerging climate technology categories is largely the result of leveraging the deep engineering talent Michigan has to offer.”
As part of the Grand Rapids Innovation Center launch, Davis and his team unveiled a new company identity – the Duravent Group – with the goal of unifying the company’s culture and its family of established and respected brands, which include the following nameplates:
- Duravent
- Hart & Cooley
- Selkirk
- AirMate
- Amerivent
- Ampco
- Heatfab
- Lima
- Milcor
- PortalsPlus
- RPS
- Security Chimneys
- Ward
Kids Can Camp at the Collection at Somerset Collection Starting July 14
The North Grand Court at the Somerset Collection in Troy is becoming a kids camp destination starting July 14.
Camp at the Collection brings six days of activities, with two sessions every Thursday, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. through Aug. 18. Janet Marie & m’Archibald of Children’s Theatre of Michigan will host the return of this summer series encouraging kids ages 4 to 10 to do everything from jumping rope to yoga and cooking to gardening, with giveaways every day.
The schedule includes:
- July 14: Jumpin’ All Stars Jump Rope Competition Team, Giveaway: Jump rope
- July 21: Miss Sarah from Yoga Adventures 4 Kids featuring Athleta, Giveaway: Water bottle
- July 28: Somerset Collection Fashion with Vicki Howard – Create your own style, Giveaway: Sunglasses
- 4: Community Grown Gardens – Gardening Fun, Giveaway: Ziplock Greenhouse
- 11: William Sonoma – Kitchen Fun, Giveaway: Apron and Chef Hat
- 18: Brian Wismer/Funwizz- Field Day style Fun and Games, Giveaway: Yoyo
The Townsend’s Rugby Grille Earns Wine Spectator Honors
The Rugby Grille Restaurant in The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham has received a Best of Award of Excellence – Two-Glass Rating from Wine Spectator magazine. This is the Rugby Grille’s seventh consecutive year receiving this award.
Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards recognize restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers. To qualify for this award, a restaurant wine list must present complete, accurate information, including vintages and appellations for all selections.
“We are serious about our inventories for our guests and are committed into maintaining a world-class wine list,” says Steven Kalczynski, managing director at The Townsend Hotel. “The staff continually to strive to be a destination for a memorable culinary and wine experience.”
For more information, visit here.
Foundations Invest $1.5M in Grand Rapids-based REP4 and Future of Education
Three foundations committed to innovation in education are investing a total of $11.5 million in REP4, a program designed to put student ideas at the center of the future of education.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Meridian Foundation, and the Steelcase Foundation together are investing in the effort that is in its second year to make sure it can scale up its prototypes and be replicable across higher education. The grants are different in their amounts and their intentions, but the combined gifts will fund the immediate and long-term needs of REP4 and its student participants.
REP4 is an alliance of six varied institutions across the country bonded together by the belief that learners are at the center of solutions and impact in higher education. The central tenet of the program is that it mines fresh ideas from today’s high school students on how to improve equity in higher education. Students then work with experts at colleges and universities during regional summits to determine where and how the ideas can be prototyped and tested.
Grand Valley State University in Allendale is REP4’s convener and founding Midwest partner. The five other founding partners are: Amarillo College in Texas; Boise State University in Idaho, Fort Valley State University, an HBCU in Georgia; San Diego State University, and Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania.
Macomb County Chamber Hosts Political Hot Topic Event July 18
The Macomb County Chamber is hosting a Political Hot Topics event at 8 a.m. on July 18 at the Bravado Event Venue in Clinton Township. Breakfast will be served at 8:15 a.m.
Hosted by the Chamber’s Public Policy Committee, the Political Hot Topics event is an open forum that will allow discussions regarding the following topics: tax abatement, infrastructure, ARP dollars, school safety, and the gas tax pause. It will be moderated by Chad Livengood, politics editor for The Detroit News. The moderator will lead the discussions and officials will be given the opportunity to share where they stand regarding each topic. The audience will be encouraged to ask questions and voice their concerns.
Tickets are $30 for chamber members or $35 for not yet members. For tickets, register online at macombcountychamber.com or phone 586-493-7600.
Village of Rochester Hills Art Fair Celebrates 18 Years
The Village of Rochester Hills will be transformed into an outdoor art gallery during the 18th annual Fine Art at The Village Art Fair July 30-31.
The art fair, curated by the owners of the Village Fine Art Gallery located in The Village of Rochester Hills will be hosted by The Village and sponsored by the Creative Arts Council, a nonprofit art group. The two-day event will host 72 artists from across the United States, with more than 40 from Michigan. Artwork will be featured including ceramics, glass, paintings, drawings, multi-media, sculpture, photography, fiber art, wood, jewelry, and more.
The Village Main Street will be closed to feature the artists’ booths, outdoor dining options, and more.
“Combined with the variety of shops and restaurants The Village of Rochester Hills has to offer, we believe the beautiful and relaxed atmosphere at The Village is the perfect setting to view artwork of this caliber and to meet artists from all over the country,” says Donna Beaubien, executive director of the festival. “We encourage our guests to express themselves, even the youngest ones and that’s why we have something for everyone here.”
Barnes & Noble will be hosting a coloring contest for ages 5 and up. Coloring pages can be picked up at Barnes & Noble, located at 200 N. Adams Road, July 7-23. Entries must be returned to Barnes & Noble by July 23. All entries will be displayed in the windows of the bookstore and will be judged by the art fair panel on July 29. Winners for three ages categories (5-10 years, 10-15 years, 15-adult) will be announced at the art fair and will each receive a ribbon and a gift basket.
Children will be able to take part in several story-time events featured by Barnes & Noble during the event. Storytime on Saturday is at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Storytime on Sunday is at noon and 2 p.m. There also will be additional coloring opportunities for children to participate in on-site from 2-4 p.m. on both days.
Guests also will have the chance to find hidden plastic eggs around the art fair. Some eggs will contain $1 bills and others will contain $25 and $100 coupons that can only be used at participating artists booths.
Langer, Duval, Goosen, Toms, and Furyk Lead the Field for the Ally Challenge in Grand Blanc
Ally Challenge presented by McLaren tournament officials announced that defending champion Joe Durant will join Jim Furyk, Jerry Kelly, Paul Broadhurst, Bernhard Langer, David Duval, Retief Goosen, and David Toms in the field from Aug. 22-28 at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc, south of Flint.
The Ally Challenge is part of the PGA Tour Champions tour for players over the age of 50.
For information on purchasing tickets and the many activities and concerts scheduled for those in attendance, visit here.