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.
Michigan Science Center, Axalta to Host Community Free Day April 5
The Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) and Axalta Coating Systems are hosting a Community Free Day at the center from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on April 5. Special programming will focus on space exploration and astronomy, and Axalta will feature its 2024 Global Automotive Color of the Year, Starry Night.
Starry Night is a black shade with light blue and silver flakes that evokes the depths of our universe and space exploration, representing bold imaginations and the drive to reach new heights.
The event also is presented in partnership with Six Rivers Land Conservancy and the Michigan Educational Trust, which will have a table where patrons can learn more about how to help save for college tuition.
“Axalta has been a proud supporter of Mi-Sci for several years through our Axalta Bright Futures program,” says Dan Naugle, vice president of mobility Americas at Axalta, and on the board of directors for Mi-Sci. “We’re committed to making a positive impact in the communities where our employees live, work, and raise their families. Through engagements like this one, we have a chance to share our passion for innovation, better living, and a sustainable future.”
“Space is one of our most popular core content areas, and we are incredibly excited to help Axalta debut Starry Night as their 2024 Color of the Year,” says Christian Greer, president and CEO of Mi-Sci. “The universe is seemingly infinite in all directions, and this unique color represents the awesome vastness and mystery of deep space.”
Some of the activities and exhibits include:
- LEGO Build the Change – Use LEGO bricks to complete a design challenge related to sustainability and space travel.
- Amazing Astronomy Science Demonstration – Science Stage – 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – In this show, audience members will learn the basics of rocket science and space travel.
- Astronaut Tools Challenge – Test skills like astronauts: wearing gear like gloves and helmets that challenge dexterity.
- National Informal STEM Education Network (NISENet) Space Activities – Build your own moon base camp, design a mission medallion to commemorate your journey into outer space and learn how astronauts keep their rockets full of fresh, breathable air.
- Telescope Assembly – Learn about the design of telescopes by assembling one.
- Sphero Robots – Visitors can learn computer programming by using code to drive Sphero BOLT Robots through an obstacle course designed using DUPLO blocks and cones.
- Mobile Activity Stations inside Mi-Sci
- Earth Wind Weather exhibit – What’s the Impact? Learning about craters activity
- STEM Playground – Straw Rockets – Launching rockets educational activity
- Lower Level 1 – Vacuum chambers and pressure in space – The pressure in outer space is not like the atmospheric pressure on Earth. Explore what happens to objects in low pressure environments like outer space.
In addition, guests will have access to the center’s hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, a Smithsonian Spark!Lab, STEM Playground, and the Above & Beyond exhibit exploring innovations in aerospace. Tickets to the Toyota 4D Engineering Theater will be available for purchase at the box office.
Tickets for Community Free Day are free but must be reserved in advance. Please visit here to make reservations.
Novi’s Everon Acquires Main-based Portland Safe
Novi-based Everon, formerly known as ADT Commercial, has acquired all stock of Portland Safe Inc. in Maine. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Blue River Financial Group in Bloomfield Hills advised Portland Safe Inc.
The acquisition not only increases Everon’s customer base, but also expands its reach into a competitive geographical footprint.
Portland Safe specializes in providing security solutions for banking and financial institutions, including community banks, credit unions, and related businesses across Maine and New Hampshire. Portland Safe teams are experienced in the delivery, installation, service of the latest technologies in access control, alarm systems, video surveillance, physical security, drive-up equipment, cash handling equipment, NCR Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs), ATMs, and more.
Everon is a security integrator and provider of commercial security, fire, and life safety products to a wide array of industries. Everon’s acquisition enhances the company’s position as a national provider of security solutions for financial institutions.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming Portland Safe’s employees to Everon and adding their wide-ranging knowledge and expertise to our deep bench of talent,” says Dan Bresingham, CEO of Everon. “We’re excited to have them on this journey with us, setting our sights on a future formed by outstanding service, a commitment to excellence, and identifying opportunities to grow our services and capabilities in the Northeast.”
Detroit City Distillery to Host Baseball Opening Day Celebrations at Two Venues April 5
Detroit City Distillery (DCD) is marking the Opening Day of the Detroit Tigers’ home baseball season with dual festivities at its Tasting Room and Whiskey Factory.
At the Tasting Room, located at 2462 Riopelle St. in Eastern Market, guests can enjoy a Bloody Mary Bar in the morning and midday with the game being streamed that afternoon. Hours of operation are 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
A short walk away at 1000 Maple St., off Gratiot Avenue, The Whiskey Factory will host a tailgate in its lot, serving Bloody Mary’s, Espresso Martinis, and Old Fashions from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
RHP Properties in Farmington Hills Partners with AdoptAClassroom.org in Pennsylvania
RHP Properties in Farmington Hills announced a $10,000 donation to support West Allegheny High School in Imperial, Pa.
The donation will help the school’s teachers purchase educational materials through AdoptAClassroom.org, a national nonprofit that provides classroom funding to PreK-12 educators. The donation marks the 14th school RHP Properties has adopted through the program and a total of $140,000 donated to date, to support schools where residents of RHP communities attend.
RHP Properties’ support for the school will enable teachers and school administrators to purchase essential classroom resources they need to ensure students are equipped and ready to engage in learning.
Approximately 100 students that attend West Allegheny High School are residents at Virginia Hills and Redwood Estates manufactured home communities.
OEMs, Suppliers, Government Officials Coming to SAE’s WCX in Detroit April 16-18
SAE International will host the WCX World Congress Experience, April 16-18 at Huntington Place in Detroit. Experts from the automotive and mobility sectors will share insight on the latest technical advancements, regulations, standards, and consumer expectations impacting the mobility industry today and the future.
Keynote speakers include Doug Field of Ford Motor Co.; Avinash Balachandran of Toyota Research Institute; and Jeremiah Golston of Qualcomm.
The Leadership Summit Moves to the expo floor and features executives from Stellantis, Volkswagen, Honda, Lucid, the U.S. Dept. of Energy; Hyundai, BorgWarner, Schaeffler, DANA, ZF, Google Auto, U.S. Dept of Transportation, Intel, and more.
Special events will include:
- WCX EV Ride & Drive featuring acceleration and agility demonstrations. Vehicles expected include Polestar 2, Tesla Model Y, Lucid Air, Rivian R1T/SUV/R1S, Kia EV 9, BMW I7, Mercedes Benz EQS, and more.
- General Motors HYDROTEC Fuel Cell Event – GM executives will share insight on GM’s durable, affordable and efficient HYDROTEC power cubes, other fuel cell projects in development, and how they will shape the future of transportation.
- AmpX Technologies Inc., the 2022 Global and Mobility Innovation Challenge Finalist, will showcase its game changing ultra-compact, low-weight, V2G compatible charging technology with the World’s First Street Legal All Electric Car to break the 200-mph barrier on display.
- Nearly 40 vehicles including GM Class 8 Semi Truck & Trailer, Medium Duty Fuel Cell Truck and Electrovan, Toyota RAV 4 PHEV and BZ4X, Ford Mustang GT500, BYD Seagull, Tesla Cybertruck and more are expected to be on the show floor.
- Tear down vehicles from Caresoft Global Technologies and Munro & Associates (Tesla Cybertruck) – Sandy Munro will also share “Insights on the Tesla Cybertruck” on 4/17 at 1:30 p.m. in the Learning Lab
In addition, the many technical sessions offer deep-dive conversations into technology impacting the industry. The WCX Learning Lab features insight from technology industry leaders, while the ever-popular SAE Edge Research Reports Knowledge Bar provides an intimate discussion with experts sharing insight on topics including electric vehicle charging, software defined vehicles, cybersecurity, system engineering, and more.
Michigan Auto Law Partners with The Kiefer Foundation to Double Scholarship
Michigan Auto Law in Farmington Hills and The Kiefer Foundation will be partnering with the on the 2024 Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship. As a result, both the scholarship amount and the number of winners will be doubled — increasing the total value of the scholarships awarded from $5,000 to $10,000 and recognizing eight rather than four winners.
Nine years ago, Michigan Auto Law created the Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship in honor of Kelsey Raffaele, who lost her life in a cell phone-related automobile crash in 2010 at the age of 17.
The Kiefer Foundation was started in 2016 in honor of Mitchel Kiefer, a freshman at Michigan State University, who lost his life during his commute to MSU after a young driver was distracted using social media and hit his car.
Michigan Auto Law and The Kiefer Foundation hope to inspire change and raise awareness, by encouraging Michigan high school juniors and seniors to submit a compelling message that convinces young drivers to reduce distractions while driving and persuades all drivers, especially teen drivers, to stop texting while driving.
Applications for the 2024 scholarship are being accepted now at MichiganAutoLaw.com and the deadline has been extended through April 7.
ACG Detroit Women’s Forum Luncheon Planned for May 17
The ACG Detroit Women’s Forum Luncheon will take place from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. May 17 at the
Cambria Hotel – Downtown Detroit (600 W. Lafayette Blvd.).
Jenny Feterovich, a four-time Emmy nominated TV and film producer known for the hit show “Starr Up” and the award-winning feature length documentary “The Russian Five,” will be the keynote speaker. She’s a lifelong entrepreneur and small business advocate, focusing on empowering women and immigrants in business.
For more information and to register, visit here.
Detroit Disability Power to Host Anti-ableism Workshop for Media Makers
Detroit Disability Power is hosting the Anti-Ableism 101: Communication and Media Professionals workshop from 5:30-8 p.m. on April 25 at the Love Building (4731 Grand River Ave.) in Detroit.
The workshop is designed to equip participants with foundational knowledge about disability as a cultural and political identity and help them understand how current narratives around disability help or hinder the organization’s work to end ableism. It also will prepare participants to identify where and how disability emerges in what’s already being covered; and will help chart a path toward dismantling ableism and co-creating a world that works for everyone.
Among the topics are disability language, going beyond the minimum of political correctness, to identify how framing and intentional wording can chart a path toward pro-disability media.
Participants will have the opportunity to reflect and share their experiences and learnings in a judgement-free environment. The workshop is for anyone working in news reporting, grassroots press, communication teams, storytelling, etc.
For more information and to register, visit here.
Global Health Charities Sends Aid to Gaza Amid Maternal, Infant Mortality Crisis
Patricia Williams, manager of Farmington-based Global Health Charities (GHC), is spearheading a humanitarian mission to Gaza to help alleviate maternal and infant mortality rates in resource-scarce regions by dispatching a team of doctors and volunteers with a shipment of Clean Birth Kits.
The kits, assembled by GHC’s team of metro Detroit volunteers, contain birthing supplies essential for ensuring the well-being of women and newborns in under-resourced countries.
The deployment of Clean Birth Kits signifies a tangible effort towards reducing the alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality prevalent in the region.
In addition to its mission abroad, Williams and her team are fostering local support for GHC’s cause of ending infant mortality. They have partnered with Tre Sorelle Gift Shop, situated within the Apothecary Espresso and Coffee in downtown to offer custom-made newborn blankets. These blankets, an integral component of the Clean Birth Kits, soon will be available in hospital gift shops across Metro Detroit.
The sale of these blankets not only provides warmth to newborns but also serves as a source of funding for GHC’s humanitarian endeavors. Every purchase contributes directly to the procurement and distribution of Clean Birth Kits, amplifying the impact of GHC’s lifesaving initiatives.
For more information, visit globalhealthservicesnetwork.com.
Gesher Human Services Offers Financial Webinar for Former Inmates
Gesher Human Services in Southfield will be conducting a free webinar April 4 at 1 p.m. called “Re-entry and Money,” designed for Michiganders who may have been incarcerated and need advice on how to build and restore their finances.
More than a quarter million Michiganders are released annually from jail (people who are awaiting trial or serving sentences of less than a year) or prison (people serving sentences for felonies or for more than one year) according to figures from Prison Policy.
The program also will provide information on employment services, job fairs, and legal assistance if they need to obtain new IDs or other legal documents. Resources for other additional supportive services, such as expungement clinics, also will be provided.
To register, go to the events page at geshermi.org.
Families Against Narcotics’ Run Drugs Out of Town 5K Run/Walk Is June 30th
Families Against Narcotics (FAN), a nonprofit based in Macomb County, will hold itsr 16th annual Run Drugs Out of Town 5K Run/Walk fundraiser on Sunday, June 30th, at 10:00 am, at Jimmy John’s Field in Utica. This beloved community event, which is expected to draw close to 2,000 people, helps increase awareness of addiction and raise money to fund the many compassionate programs FAN provides to individuals and families who have been affected by the disease.
FAN was forced to move this year’s Run Drugs Out of Town from its usual location at Fraser High School because of an unanticipated road construction project that will be going on around the school this summer. Nevertheless, the organization is working hard to make it just as spectacular as previous years’ runs.
“While it’s unfortunate that road construction forced us to relocate Run Drugs Out of Town this year, we’re extremely excited that we were able to secure Jimmy John’s Field for our event,” FAN Executive Director Linda Davis said. “We’re looking forward to this new location and the beautiful race route that comes along with it.”
Run Drugs Out of Town participants will run or walk the 5K either individually or as a team. This year’s race will start inside the stadium, then runners and walkers will head out to a 5K course that will go through the beautifully wooded and scenic biking/hiking trail off Auburn Road and into River’s Bend Park. The run/walk will then finish at home plate back inside Jimmy John’s Field.
FAN will give recognition to the Top Fundraising Team and Top Fundraising Individual, as well as to the Largest Team. All runners will receive medals, with the top finishers in multiple age groups getting special medals.
Since Families Against Narcotics was founded in Fraser in 2007, the organization has expanded to more than 20 chapters statewide. FAN has helped tens of thousands of people whose lives have been impacted by substance use disorder (SUD), ranging from individuals who are struggling and ready to get help, to family members who are desperate to know how best to support their loved one who is battling the disease. FAN is there for anyone who needs assistance, offering them compassion, support, resources, and services, all of which are completely free of charge.
FAN’s programming includes monthly FAN Forums; Hope Not Handcuffs; community naloxone (Narcan) training and education; peer and family recovery coaching; the Stronger Together family and friends support group; the COMEBACK Quick Response Team; the HARM:LESS Harm Reduction Support Team; the REDIRECT addiction-related diversion program; and sober living scholarships.
“Run Drugs Out of Town is such an exciting fundraiser and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone on June 30th,” Davis added. “This is a fun, uplifting, family-friendly event for the entire community. We hope you’ll come out and join us and bring your family and friends. Together, we can face addiction now and make a difference.”
Jimmy John’s Field is located at 7171 Auburn Rd., Utica, Michigan, 48317. To register for Run Drugs Out of Town, go to familiesagainstnarcotics.org/rundrugsoutoftown or call 586.438.8500. Participants who register before May 30th may be eligible to receive a discount. (There will also be walk-up registration beginning at 8:30 am on race day.) Packet pick-up this year will take place at FAN’s new office—located at 43800 Garfield Rd., Suite 200—on June 26th, 27th, and 28th, from 1:00 to 7:00 pm.
