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.
Ram and Dodge Brands win 2024 Kelley Blue Book Consumer Choice Awards
Two brands of Stellantis in Auburn Hills, Ram and Dodge, have won awards from Kelley Blue Book Consumer Choice Awards.
Ram won the Kelley Blue Book Consumer Choice award for the Best Overall Truck Brand. The brand has new product arriving this year, including the new 2025 Ram 1500 and the Ram 1500 REV.
The Dodge brand earned the 2024 Kelley Blue Book Consumer Choice award for Best Car Styling Brand. The honor marks the sixth consecutive year Dodge has been recognized with a Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Award.
The 2024 Consumer Choice Awards are based on consumer automotive perception data from Kelley Blue Book’s Brand Watch study. Kelley Blue Book’s Brand Watch is an online brand and model perception tracking study, which taps into more than 12,000 in-market new-vehicle shoppers annually on KBB.com. The comprehensive study offers insight into how shoppers perceive important factors driving their purchase decisions and captures brand/model familiarity and loyalty among new-car shoppers.
Oakland County Installs New Public Safety Radio System
Oakland County has successfully implemented its new P25 Radio System, an advancement in bolstering public safety and emergency response capabilities across the region.
Integrated into the Michigan Public Safety Communication System (MPSCS), this state-of-the-art radio system ensures seamless communication for first responders within the county and beyond, significantly enhancing their ability to protect and serve communities.
“This important milestone highlights our commitment to public safety in Oakland County,” says Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “With enhanced radio coverage we are now better equipped to ensure the safety of all our residents.”
Limitations of the previous OpenSky radio system, which began operating in 2005, posed significant challenges for first responders, with coverage gaps emerging shortly after crossing county lines, as well as dead spots within Oakland County itself. The introduction of the new P25 Radio System, however, marks a “transformative” moment in public safety communication and ensures residents receive excellent public safety services.
“Communications are critical, both on a daily basis and when large emergencies occur,” says Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. “One of the major findings of the 9-11 Commission was that public safety needed an interoperable communication system that would allow different agencies to communicate in the event of a large-scale event. I have personally responded to those events, such as 9-11 at Ground Zero and New Orleans after Katrina. The lack of communication increased the loss of life.”
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners appropriated $61 million to place more than 6,000 Motorola radios in the hands of Oakland County’s first responders and upgrading 20 dispatch centers to accommodate the new radio system. Features include a GPS locator for the emergency button, a recording system that records all radio traffic, and two additional channels that enable first responders from a variety of agencies to work together more efficiently.
BasBlue Foundation in Detroit Gives Grants to Three Woman Entrepreneurs
Three woman entrepreneurs have been selected to receive a combined $17,500 from The BasBlue Foundation to scale their businesses.
Five total founders participated in BasBlue’s Founders + Fund (Her)s Pitch Day on March 26 where they each gave a five-minute presentation about their businesses to a panel of local angel investors, serial entrepreneurs, and business leaders.
This year’s recipients include:
- First Place: Andrea Davis, Linked Workforce, a workforce management consulting firm ($10,000)
- Second Place: Trinity Brown, Trinity Barbara, handmade sterling silver jewelry ($5,000)
- Third Place: Bri Muhammad, The Beaute Loft, a space offering artisanal products for sale, workshops and classes, and custom perfume bars for events ($2,500)
“At BasBlue, we’re committed to leveling the entrepreneurial playing field,” says Nancy Tellem, co-founder of Bas Blue. “We believe in equipping women founders, especially women of color, with more than just financial backing. We provide the resources, mentorship, and a supportive community necessary for them to thrive personally and to help ensure they leave a transformative legacy for themselves and future generations.”
For more information, visit here.
Spirit of Detroit Dons 2024 NFL Draft Jersey
Visit Detroit and the Detroit Sports Commission, with support from the Detroit-Wayne Joint Building Authority, Prop Art Studio, and Display Group, today unveiled a 2024 NFL Draft jersey on the iconic Marshall Fredericks Spirit of Detroit statue outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center.
The installation comes after preparations for the 2024 NFL Draft have already begun downtown, with NFL team banners on 700 light poles and NFL Draft signage on the Detroit People Mover and QLINE.
The jersey will remain on the sculpture until after the 2024 NFL Draft, which will take place in downtown Detroit April 25-27.
For more information on the 2024 NFL Draft, visit here and download the NFL OnePass app.
In related news: The city of Pontiac and Visit Detroit, in conjunction with the Detroit Sports Commission and local grass-roots partners including Oakland County Sheriff PAL and Project Play of Southeast Michigan, will host an NFL Draft “On The Clock Tour” neighborhood event at Pontiac High School from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on April 2.
All “On The Clock Tour” events feature Visit Detroit’s mobile visitor center, the D-Rover. Temporarily rebranded as the Draft Rover, the multipurpose transit van will feature a 2024 NFL Draft design, as well as video and sound capabilities, including two 43-inch TV monitors and a plug-in mic for messaging, and a retractable awning.
The event at Pontiac High School will include music, food concessions, local vendors, games, arts and crafts, inflatables, hustle lessons, entertainment, and more, including appearances from former Detroit Lions legends.
In addition, Oakland County Sheriff PAL and Project Play of Southeast Michigan will host a free youth flag football clinic from 6-7 p.m. Youth interested in participating in the flag football clinic should register at www.sheriffpal.com.
Boys & Girls Clubs Introduce Inaugural Youth Sports Conference
NFL legend and Detroit native Jerome Bettis joins forces with Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan (BGCSM) to introduce the BGCSM 3C Sports Conference, in collaboration with The Jerome Bettis “Bus Stops Here Foundation,” April 24-26.
The event begins with a VIP Reception on April 24, followed by two days of workshops focusing on traditional and tech sports. VIP tickets are currently available for purchase here.
The conference features tracks for youth sport coaches, players, and parents and provides them with the knowledge and tools needed to “reclaim youth sports.” Workshop topics include Name Image Likeness (NIL), mental health for athletes and coaches, and the over monetization of youth sports.
Run in conjunction with the NFL Draft in Detroit, the conference will host prominent coaches, players, and sports professionals, offering attendees a draft watch party experience. Anticipating nearly 1,000 participants, the inaugural event promises enriching workshops and activities.
“It’s an honor for my Bus Stops Here Foundation and me to be a part of the BGCSM 3C Sports Conference. Together, we’re not just talking about change – we’re actively pursuing it,” says Bettis. “As a unified team, we’re ready to inspire the next generation of athletes, coaches, and sports professionals, fostering a positive impact in our communities. I couldn’t be prouder or more excited to be involved, especially amidst the NFL Draft festivities in my hometown of Detroit, Michigan.”
The Conference Kickoff event will take place at the Garden Theater on April 24 from 6-9 p.m., with subsequent activities at the Diehl Boys & Girls Clubs and Dauch Boys & Girls Clubs in Detroit April 25-26 from 4-10 p.m.
For more information and ticket purchases, visit here.
ACG Detroit to Honor Winners of Annual M&A All Star Awards May 6
ACG Detroit, an organization of middle-market mergers and acquisitions professionals, has announced the winners of its ninth annual M&A All Star Awards. The winners will be honored at a ceremony from 6-8:30 p.m.at The Townsend Hotel in downtown Birmingham on May 6.
“In the face of constant economic hurdles like steep interest rates and persistent inflation, Detroit dealmakers have been challenged to think more strategically and creatively than ever,” says Danielle Bass, president of ACG Detroit.
“Year after year, the M&A community has continued to exhibit their strength and adaptability. All nominees this year persevered through setbacks and stimulated consistent business development in Detroit. We look forward to recognizing and celebrating their achievements at our annual awards.”
The 2024 M&A All Star Award winners are:
All Star Deal of the Year Over $50M in Revenue
Duro-Last Inc. Sale to Holcim Ltd.
All Star Deal of the Year Under $50M in Revenue
Wasèyabek Development Co.’s Acquisition of VES
All Star Advisor of the Year
Linda Paullin-Hebden, partner at Warner Norcross + Judd
All Star Dealmaker of the Year
Peninsula Capital Partners
All Star Investment Banker of the Year
Andrew Dickow, managing director of Greenwich Capital Group
Rising Star
Evan Haigh, vice president of Blue River Financial Group Inc.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Thomas S. Vaughn, of Dykema Gossett
Foley & Lardner serves as the event’s Diamond sponsor. Ruby sponsors include BDO, Datasite, DBusiness, and Peninsula Capital Partners. Emerald sponsors include AON, Blue River Financial Group, and J.P. Morgan Chase.
For more information about this year’s M&A All Star Awards event, visit here.
To read DBusiness magazine’s exclusive coverage of the 2023 M&A All-Star winners, visit here.
Mike Morse Law Firm Teams with Buddy’s Pizza to Raise Awareness of Distracted Driving
Southfield-based personal injury law firm Mike Morse Law is teaming up with Buddy’s Pizza to host an event aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.
As part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, Morse and his firm are giving away 1,000 cell phone vehicle holders at Buddy’s Pizza, 1565 Broadway, across from Comerica Park on April 14, starting at 11 a.m.
Distracted driving is a serious issue both in Michigan and nationwide. In Michigan alone, according to the Michigan State Police Office of Highway Safety Planning, distracted driving contributed to 19,510 crashes in 2021 and a total of 15,441 crashes occurred in Michigan that involved a distracted driver of a motor vehicle in 2022.
Attendees at the event will not only receive a free cell phone holder but also a voucher for one free four-square pizza with any purchase, courtesy of Buddy’s Pizza. Voucher valid only from April 15-June 30, carryout or dine-in at any Buddy’s Pizza locations.
Detroit Historical Museum Offers Free Admission for April 20 City of Champions Day
The Detroit Historical Society will offer free admission to the Detroit Historical Museum on April 20 in honor of its annual City of Champions Day Commemoration.
The celebration will feature a full day of activities at the museum including three Detroit icons casting their hands in cement. Their names and handprints will be added (from 2-2:30 p.m.) to Legends Plaza for permanent display. This year’s legends are:
- Greg Kelser, sports analyst and broadcaster for the Detroit Pistons
- Huel Perkins, Emmy Award-winning news anchor for Fox 2
- Mickey Redmond, color commentator for the Detroit Red Wings
City of Champions Day commemorates the 1934-1935 sports seasons, which were a special time for Detroit’s athletes, teams, and especially Detroit sports fans. The Detroit Tigers won the World Series, Joe Louis was the heavyweight boxing champion of the world, the Detroit Red Wings won their first Stanley Cup, and the Detroit Lions won their first National Championship.
The Michigan governor declared Detroit the “City of Champions” with an official proclamation later that year. The Detroit Historical Society, which had been operating for over a decade by the time of the governor’s proclamation, has celebrated City of Champions Day ever since.
Activities include:
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The Detroit History Podcast presents: He howled. He threw fire. And The Sheik dominated Detroit-area wrestling in the 1960s. The Detroit History Podcast kicks off its sixth season with a telling of his life and impact on popular culture. View video and images of the Sheik while listening to the story of The Sheik at this podcast launch party.
1-1:45 p.m.
Jeremy Dimick, Detroit Historical Society’s director of collections and curatorial, will share the sports story of the 1935-36 season, along with artifacts.
Rema to Headline Lineup for Afro Nation Detroit 2024
Afro Nation has announced the lineup for Afro Nation Detroit 2024, offering a list of notable names from Afrobeats, Amapiano, Hip-Hop, and more. Nigerian megastar Rema headlines, bringing his catalog of world-famous Afrobeats jams to the Motor City.
The second annual Afro Nation Detroit boasts an enviable undercard featuring some of the hottest acts in today’s industry. North American names like Toronto titan PartyNextDoor, and Detroit’s Kash Doll will perform, as well as African giants like Adekunle Gold and Ayra Starr.
“Bringing Afro Nation back to Detroit, the home of Motown and Techno music was an easy decision,” says Smade, co-founder of Afro Nation. “Detroit embodies culture, creativity, and pride. The energy here is electric, echoing the heartbeat of Afro Nation’s spirit. In Detroit, we found a community that welcomed us with open arms, sharing our passion for unity and celebration, giving us a home away from home. Afro Nation Detroit 2024 will be even bigger than last year, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you.”
The only scheduled Afro Nation event in the United States in 2024, Afro Nation Detroit returns to Bedrock’s Douglass Site Aug. 17-18.
Tickets are available here starting 9 a.m. April 3.
