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.
Soirée on the Greenway Returns to the Dequindre Cut Oct. 6
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s Soirée on the Greenway fundraiser returns to the Dequindre Cut Freight Yard from 6-10 p.m. Oct. 6 for a masquerade under the stars featuring food and drink, live music, circus performers, a costume contest, and an exotic petting zoo.
Additionally, Soirée will continue the conservancy’s 20th anniversary celebration with the unveiling of a new anniversary-themed mural on the Dequindre Cut.
For the second year, Soirée will serve as an exclusive preview of the Detroit Harvest Fest & Food Truck Rally as guests get the opportunity to sample a lineup of specially curated eats and drinks.
The Dequindre Cut Freight Yard is located between Division Street and the Wilkins Street Plaza along the Dequindre Cut. Soirée is a 21-and-over event.
Soirée guests are encouraged to don their most creative masquerade masks and costumes for the event. The creativity of the best-dressed guests will be celebrated during a costume contest, sponsored by Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. The grand prize will be $500 and a weekend stay at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. Attendees interested in participating can enter the contest at the event. The first 25 Soirée guests will receive complimentary one-of-a-kind masquerade masks created by local artists.
This year marks the ninth annual Soirée on the Greenway, and the fourth one in which Citizens has generously supported the event as presenting sponsor.
For more information and tickets, visit here.
CCS and Wright Museum Partner for d.Tree Studio Exhibition
The College for Creative Studies and The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit are partnering to present an exhibition showcasing their partnership for d.Tree Studio, a collaboration bringing together creative inquiry, craft, sustainability, community vision and storytelling.
Featuring 12 new and emerging artists, six CCS students and six community makers on scholarship, the exhibition showcases narrative pieces designed and built out of harvested Zelkova wood. The exhibition is on view until Dec. 10.
The d.Tree Studio partnership defines the lens of Detroit’s relationship with trees from the past, present, and future. Over the course of three years, these two cultural institutions worked in unison to create a curriculum called the d.Tree Studio. For 15 weeks, students in the CCS Woodshop explored how designers and makers can learn from the wisdom of trees through the lens of various African material cultures and African American experiences in Detroit.
“In this project, we have not only worked with timber — and Zelkova wood is undoubtedly beautiful — but the work has provided a powerful medium for these important conversations on climate change, climate justice, the African American experience in Detroit and African material cultures,” says Ian Lambert, dean of graduate studies and research at CCS.
This partnership began in 2018 when The Wright Museum noticed dying Zelkova trees on its Midtown campus. With this observation, and as part of its mission to be a zero-waste institution, the museum decided to form a collaboration with its neighbors at CCS. The goal of this partnership was to use the lumber harvested from the Zelkova trees in a creative endeavor and question how an African American museum and art and design school could set a precedent for climate justice art.
Meijer Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by Elevating Hispanic-Owned Businesses
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Grand Rapids-based Meijer is highlighting a collection of specific grocery brands, home goods, assorted gifts, and clothing at all supercenters to elevate Hispanic-owned businesses and celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of their communities.
Until Oct. 15, Meijer shoppers can learn more about and purchase a wide variety of featured grocery and general merchandise items, both in-store and online. The grocery selection features a wide variety of brands, including Chomps, Chuza, Salsa God, Badia Spices, Siete, Somos, La Banderita, and El Monterey. Non-grocery items include greeting cards, book boxes, journals, note cards, and gift bags.
“By amplifying these businesses, we not only offer our customers unique and authentic products, but we also uplift entrepreneurs within the community,” says Tim Williams, vice president of diversity and inclusion at Meijer. “This moment, along with our supplier diversity programs demonstrates our ongoing commitment to enriching lives in the communities we serve.”
For the third consecutive year, Meijer is partnering with Jen Zeano Designs, a lifestyle brand specializing in Latina empowerment apparel and accessories. Founded in 2016 by Jen and Vero Zeano, the brand launched with its viral pink Latina power tee along with other products focused on Hispanic cultural representation and belonging. Like all the featured products, customers can find a variety of JZD styles at all Meijer supercenters.
During the celebration, Meijer is offering a special collection of products featuring artists – Gloria Arteaga-Hinton, Ariana Moreno, Carly Redmond – on various products. Meijer will donate 5 percent of the sales generated from the Hispanic Heritage Month art collection to local affiliates of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The organization actively promotes the economic growth, development, and interests of more than 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses, which combined, contribute more than $800 billion to the American economy every year.
For further information, visit the Meijer Hispanic Heritage Month webpage.
Detroit Cultural Center Launches Inaugural Educators’ Night Sept. 26
Midtown Detroit Inc. is hosting its inaugural district-wide Educators’ Night, scheduled for 4:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 26 for K-12 educators from Detroit and the surrounding metro region to explore and harness the educational treasures offered by the Cultural Center institutions.
Educators’ Night will feature a wide array of activities, hands-on demonstrations, educational displays, tours, mini music performances, author talks, and more. The event is designed to introduce teachers of all grades and subjects to the wealth of educational resources available to schools within the Detroit Cultural Center and beyond.
The venues involved include:
- The Carr Center (Music) (15 E. Kirby St.)
- Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History (Culture, History, Theatre) (315 E. Warren)
- Detroit Historical Museum (History Resources, Natural History/Geography) (5401 Woodward Ave.)
- Detroit Institute of Arts (Art and Design) (5200 Woodward Ave.)
- Michigan Science Center (STEM) (5020 John R St.)
To participate, K-12 educators must register for free here.
Turning Point Adds Timed 5K Run to Tara’s 5K Run & Walk on Sept. 23
Turning Point, a Mount Clemens-based agency whose mission is to empower survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking, will host its 16th annual Tara’s 5K Run & Walk presented by The Huttenlocher Group at 9 a.m. Saturday, at Freedom Hill County Park in Sterling Heights. This year, the event is returning to its original format, bringing back a timed 5K run along with the walk.
To join in the fight against domestic violence on Sept. 23, participants can register for Tara’s 5K Run & Walk online for $35 until Sept. 20. Onsite registration also will be available for $40 at the event. The funds raised go directly to the Tara Liberation Fund, which helps domestic violence survivors in situations that require immediate assistance.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. A brief program will take place at 10 a.m. before the 5K commences at 10:30 a.m. Awards will be presented to age groups at 11 a.m. and complimentary hot dogs, chips, and beverages will be provided by Lakepointe Church after the race.
Our Neighbors Academy in Berkley Empowers Young Adults with Special Needs
Our Neighborhood Academy, a fully accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Berkley, announces its Fall 2023 program, which is dedicated to empowering young adults with special needs during their transition to independence.
The program runs Tuesday to Dec. 14 and meets from 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Our Neighborhood Academy, 3096 12 Mile Road.
ONA’s program, which is available to young adults over the age of 18 who have graduated high school or an adult transition program, is based on the Stanfield Transitions Curriculum and focuses on personal management, career management, and life management. Participants gain essential skills and can even delve into job application and interview preparation, laying the groundwork for future employment opportunities.
Participants also have the unique opportunity to design and create micro-enterprises, applying their classroom knowledge to practical settings. Students have established a Children’s Boutique at ONA’s storefront, which sells items like clothing, games, and toys. Participants aid with purchases, display items, and engage with customers. Students can also participate in a handmade vinyl clothing enterprise, utilizing computers and Cricut machines to craft custom vinyl-printed shirts for children.
ONA’s fall program costs $50 per day. To inquire about scholarships, alternate class dates, or to register for the program, visit ourneighborhoodacademy.com or call 248-556-5332.
