
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.
Kresge Foundation to Commemorate Its Centennial in 2024
The Kresge Foundation in Troy will be commemorating the centennial of its founding throughout 2024 in its hometown of Detroit. To mark this special occasion, Kresge will host commemorative events and community activations that celebrate the foundation’s longstanding philanthropic legacy.
“Our centennial year will not only commemorate the Kresge Foundation’s arc of accomplishment since its establishment in 1924, but also afford an opportunity to reflect on our future trajectory and impact — on Detroit, on the nation and on the practices of philanthropy,” says Rip Rapson, president and CEO of Kresge. “We build on the shoulders of our founder Sebastian S. Kresge, who created the S.S. Kresge Co. retail chain and who dedicated his generosity in endowing the foundation to making the world a better place. He would, I believe, take deep pride in both what the foundation has accomplished and how it is positioned to fulfill his mission long into the future.”
The Kresge Foundation has achieved “immense” philanthropic impact in the past 100 years, specifically:
- Awarding $5.1 billion in total grants since its founding. Of that, more than $1 billion was invested in Kresge’s hometown of Detroit.
- With its emphasis on investing in place, Kresge has invested in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., two U.S. territories, and more than 18 countries.
- Under Rapson’s leadership, Kresge has made more than 8,000 grants exceeding $2.9 billion and 152 social investment commitments exceeding $510 million.
The Kresge Foundation will partner with the Detroit Historical Society to offer the community an opportunity to learn about Kresge’s history and its impact on cities. A special educational exhibit about the foundation will open to the public at the Detroit Historical Museum on May 4 and run through January 2025. Kresge also is supporting efforts to refresh a replica Kresge Five and Dime Store, which is part of the Detroit Historical Museum’s permanent “Streets of Old Detroit” exhibit. Additionally, a community open house, public programming and conversations and museum free days will be offered for visitors to enjoy throughout the year.
The foundation also will seek to fortify and expand its cities-focused thought leadership through a series of national and local Detroit convenings. Beginning in April, Kresge will host a series of discussions centered on innovative approaches to community development with an emphasis on climate change, transit, cradle-to-career education models and reparative practices. Working alongside the Urban Consulate, Kresge also will host a speaker series in Detroit. These sessions will culminate in a national summit in June that will focus on the community development best practices Kresge has learned during its many years working in American cities.
Throughout the year, Kresge experts and academic partners will be releasing commentaries and research related to Kresge grantmaking initiatives, the foundation’s history and convenings. Kresge will also publish an updated version of “Embracing a City,” which will take the book’s examination of Kresge investments in Detroit up to the present day.
For more information, visit kresge.org/100.
Cornerstone Community Financial Opens New Clinton Township Branch
Cornerstone Community Financial (CCF), an Auburn Hills-based community-focused credit union has opened a new branch in Clinton Township.
The new, 5,200-square-foot branch, located at 16673 15 Mile Road, is CCF’s eighth branch overall, and sixth in southeast Michigan, joining CCF’s metro Detroit-area locations in: Auburn Hills, Center Line, Royal Oak, Sterling Heights, and Troy.
“We are thrilled to be expanding CCF’s presence in the metro Detroit area, and are grateful for the opportunity to connect with and serve even more southeast Michigan consumers and communities with our newest location,” says Jeidi Kassab, president and CEO of CCF. “We welcome the chance to grow our valued membership family and are ready to bring the very best of CCF’s convenience, customer service and commitment to community to Clinton Township and beyond.”
The full-service credit union location, which also serves as a CCF operations center and is home to additional staff offices, offers in-branch, drive-thru, and online banking services for members and the public, as well as ATMs and VTMs (video teller machines) for live/real-time video conferencing transactions.
There will be an official, public grand opening event on Feb. 10 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Festivities will include:
- A Jeep Grand Cherokee giveaway. Attendees who apply for a new Visa credit card with Cornerstone will receive a unique six-digit code to enter. The individual with the winning code will earn the keys to a brand-new SUV.
- Ten Man Jam concert ticket giveaways, every 15 minutes, from 99.5 WYCD.
- Prizes and surprises, including giveaways of cash-filled piggy banks, flat screen TVs and more.
- Complimentary sweet treats and hot chocolate from The Little Donut Factory food truck
Ascension Providence Foundation Planning Friends’ Ball April 20 in Novi
The Ascension Providence Foundation is presenting its 2024 Friends’ Ball from 6-11:30 p.m. on April 20 at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.
This event benefits Women’s Heart Health at Ascension Providence Hospital and Outpatient Clinics. Proceeds will help the hospital and medical team care for women with cardiovascular disease and those at risk. Heart disease ranks as the No. 1 killer of American women, responsible for more deaths in women than all types of cancer combined.
The goal is to ensure advanced diagnostics and treatment therapies are available to help all women in the community achieve and maintain cardiovascular health, regardless of ability to pay.
At the event emceed by Carolyn Clifford of WXYZ-TV, The Caduceus Society Physicians of the Year — Drs. Lakshmi and Vinaya Gavini, and Dr. Michael Jacobs — and other community members will be recognized.
For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please email specialevents@ascension.org.
Allison to Provide e-Axles to Oshkosh Corp. for Electric Refuse Collection Vehicle
Indianapolis-based Allison Transmission, which has an electrification engineering center in Auburn Hills, has been selected by Oshkosh Corp. in Wisconsin as its electric axle supplier for North America’s first fully integrated, zero-emission electric refuse collection vehicle.
The Allison eGen Power 100S has been successfully integrated into the McNeilus Volterra ZSL electric refuse vehicle, which is specifically designed for the waste management industry to minimize environmental impact and reduce noise in communities around the world.
“Allison’s latest collaboration with Oshkosh highlights our ability to leverage Allison’s deep technical and application knowledge to deliver innovative propulsion solutions for diesel, natural gas, hydrogen fuel cell, and battery electric applications, and marks the first time the eGen Power electric axles will be implemented into a vehicle that serves refuse collection applications,” says Rohan Barua, vice president of North America sales, global channel, and aftermarket for Allison Transmission.
“Allison is the established propulsion leader in the North America refuse market. This partnership with Oshkosh helps to ensure Allison will continue to meet customer demand now and well in the future as electric vehicle adoption increases.”
Henry Ford College’s Fifty-One O One Restaurant Opens Wednesday
On Wednesday, Fifty-One O One, Henry Ford College’s (HFC) student-run restaurant, will open for the Winter 2024 semester in the John McDonald Student & Culinary Arts Center (Building M on the main campus).
The restaurant’s hours will be: Tuesday: 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Wednesday: 11:30 a.m-1:15 p.m. (and 5:30-7:45 p.m., and Thursday: 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
Upcoming special events include the Shrimp and Soul Buffet on Feb. 14, the St. Patrick’s Day Buffet on March 13, a bake sale March 27-28, and the April 20 Scholarship Dinner.
To see the full menu, visit here.
Midland’s Northwood University Announces 2024 Class of Outstanding Business Leaders
Northwood University in Midland has announced its 2024 Class of Outstanding Business Leaders.
“This year’s class exemplifies the ideals we instill in our students as we continue to create future generations of free enterprise leaders who drive global economic and social progress,” says Murray Kyte, vice president of advancement for Northwood University. “We are grateful to recognize leaders of such a high caliber.”
The honorees include:
- Mamadou Diallo, automobile sales, senior vice president, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
- Thomas Latham, CEO, Tri-State Forest Products Inc.
- Sarah Rowley Opperman, chair, Isabella Bank Corp.
- Chris Pruitt, president and CEO, East Penn Manufacturing Co.
- Ret. Ambassador John Rakolta Jr., chairman, Walbridge Group
Eric D. July, CEO and founder of the comic book company, Rippaverse, is being awarded the Richard DeVos Young Entrepreneur Award.
Honorees will be featured during an April 6 awards gala at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. Net proceeds from the gala will support the Outstanding Business Leader Endowed Scholarship at Northwood University.
Prior to the gala, the honorees will be featured in a virtual symposium that is open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members. That event, set for noon on Feb. 14, will be moderated by Professor Jim Hop, who chairs entrepreneurship and franchise management at Northwood.
Visit here to attend the Feb. 14 Outstanding Business Leaders Virtual Symposium.
For sponsorships or tickets to the April 6 Outstanding Business Leaders Awards Gala at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, visit the Outstanding Business Leaders event webpage.
Cohort of Youth Fashion Designers from Detroit to Showcase Afrofuturism Looks in New York
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan (BGCSM) Fashion Industry Club has partnered with the Maison Black and will host a runway show at New York Fashion Week this season. Maison Black, founded by Tori Nichel, is a Black-owned, New York-based retailer who showcases Black designers and has expanded into the Maison Black Foundation (MBF) to provide a more robust platform to support Black youth in the arts.
Maison Black is a destination for the discovery of Black designers throughout the country. Founder and Detroit native Tori Nichel has used her expertise, network, and resources to build a bridge for Black designers through Maison Black. This season’s mentors include Aaron Potts, Patrick Cupid, Dreu Breckemberg, Carlton Jones, Shelley Victory, and Lola Faturoti, who have worked closely with the five Fashion Industry Club youth designers for the past seven months.
“There is power in aligned passion and long-term collaboration — and that is what we have with Maison Black, and how we’re able to provide such a life-changing experience for these young women,” says Shawn H. Wilson, president and CEO of BGCSM. “We look at this as an honor to support and create space for our young designers through the Fashion Industry Club and will continue to provide these resources to more youth to come.”
The Fashion Industry Club is a part of the Industry Club model at BGCSM, which was launched in 2020 and is a comprehensive and forward-thinking initiative that addresses the needs of young people in preparing them for successful futures in a variety of industries.
To donate and learn more visit: bgcsm.org/industry-club.
Goodwill’s Flip the Script Program Opens in Oakland County
Goodwill of Greater Detroit announced the opening of its new Flip the Script location in Oakland County at 440 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac.
Goodwill’s Flip the Script is a program that reduces recidivism and provides personal, educational, and professional development services for individuals who are justice-involved. The new location broadens Flip the Script’s reach beyond Detroit, increasing its impact to benefit residents in Pontiac and other Oakland County communities.
“Goodwill of Greater Detroit has been a leader in making a difference in people’s lives for more than 100 years,” said Dan Varner, president and CEO of Goodwill of Greater Detroit. “Our Flip the Script program, one of the most effective services of its kind in the nation, provides second chances and, in support of our mission, builds pathways to independence through personal development and the power of work. We are incredibly grateful to the State of Michigan and other partners for the continued support of Flip the Script and similar services that generate measurably better lives and communities for all who call Michigan home.”
More than 5,000 justice-involved individuals, including 2,000 who were high-risk, have benefited from Flip the Script services, including workforce development, educational support, cognitive behavior programming, financial coaching, resource navigation and mentoring. The program has a remarkable success rate, with 92 percent of participants avoiding incarceration, 84 percent finding employment and 75 percent completing the program.
Pontiac Officials Initiate Policies to Help Tenants
Renters experiencing challenges with apartment management or landlords in Pontiac now have enforceable options for addressing their complaints. The city of Pontiac has launched several robust ordinances to assist renters.
The city adopted Housing Ordinances 22-801, 22-803, and 22-806 in an effort to maintain and register properties, hold property owners accountable for mismanagement, and protect tenants from substandard living conditions. The policies also provide residents with contingency plans in instances where property owners fail to fix compliance violations.
Pontiac officials say they made it a top priority to eliminate blight by maintaining proper living conditions for residents. With the collaborative efforts of the Code Enforcement division and Pontiac City Council, the city has expedited a fresh initiative to improve the quality of life for residents.
“We’re focused on protecting the dignity and well-being of all Pontiac residents,” says Mayor Tim Greimel. “To that end, the city has increased inspections of rental units and implemented a new ordinance to protect tenants who are living in units that have not been inspected by the city or have not been certified as being in proper condition.
“We are also committed to informing tenants of their rights under both city ordinance and state law so they are aware of available resources to help protect them from substandard living conditions.”
The Code Enforcement division is responsible for implementing residential safety codes in the city. The unit had more than 7,100 reports of unregistered properties in January 2023 and has since addressed approximately 6,000 rental units. The team actively patrols pursuant to a comprehensive zoning schedule to investigate and ensure inspection compliance.
The city has scheduled town hall meetings to inform residents about tenant rights. The Tenant Rights Town Hall meetings also inform renters through informational bulletins about a variety of legal steps to take when landlords are not compliant on property maintenance, required inspections, and rental payment protocols.
The final town hall meeting is scheduled for Feb. 1, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Pontiac City Hall (47350 Woodward Ave.) in Pontiac.
Brighton’s Lake Trust Foundation Accepting Applications for Five Scholarships
The Lake Trust Foundation in Brighton is accepting applications for two opportunities — the New Beginnings Scholarship and Michigan Impact Scholarship.
“At Lake Trust, we know education is a critical component to fostering financial wellbeing for individuals and communities,” says Amanda Huszti-Vickers, executive director of the Lake Trust Foundation. “For the past decade, Lake Trust’s scholarship program has supported numerous Michiganders in their educational and professional journey. In 2024, we will award another five life-changing scholarships that provide the opportunity for individuals to pursue their passions, support positive change in their communities and drive success in their local economy.”
To be considered for a New Beginnings Scholarship, applicants must be pursuing a career technical education program or trade school, or be enrolled and majoring in a technical field at a Michigan college or university within the 2024 calendar year. Scholarships worth up to $7,500 will be awarded to four applicants and can be used to pay for tuition costs, trade equipment, professional dues, and certifications.
The Michigan Impact Scholarship, created in partnership with Cleary University, was established to provide a tuition-free educational opportunity to Michigan residents. In 2024, The Lake Trust Foundation will award one full-tuition scholarship to a student beginning their undergraduate or postgraduate degree at Cleary University — online or at any campus location — in Fall 2024.
Applicants enrolling in programs that help meet the state’s high-demand careers through 2030 will be given special consideration.
Applications for the New Beginnings and Michigan Impact scholarships are open now through March 10. Visit here to apply.
United Resiliency Center to Opens Aid East Lansing Community Healing Center
Common Ground is opening a resiliency center in the city of East Lansing to provide support, therapy, group activities, and other aid to the community members impacted by the shooting on Feb. 13, 2023.
United Resiliency Center is located at 1504 East Grand River in East Lansing and opens its doors on Feb. 14. The center is staffed by trained professionals local to the East Lansing community, who will focus on long-term healing after the mass violence incident that took place last year.
United Resiliency Center has partnered with the MSU Office for Resource and Support Coordination to provide luminary distribution for the local community to honor the one-year remembrance set for Feb. 13 at 7 pm.
Services available include victim advocacy, counseling, support groups, group activities, community outreach, education, and much more. The helpline for the center is 517-853-1070 and the website is cgunitedresiliency.org.
“The purpose of the program is to promote mental and emotional well-being by providing opportunities for those affected to come together and find support,” says Jamie Ayers, director of the Victim Assistance Program at Common Ground.
United Resiliency Center is the second of its kind. Common Ground opened a similar center in Oxford after the 2021 Oxford High School shooting.
The program is funded by the State of Michigan through a grant from the Federal Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program (AEAP). The grant to fund the United Resiliency Center was awarded to the State of Michigan and is administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Victim Services.