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.
The Henry Ford Collaborates with L.A.-based Bedroom Décor Company
Lambs & Dragons, a Los Angeles-based producer and distributor of American-made bedding and bedroom décor products, is collaborating with The Henry Ford in Dearborn on a variety of custom-designed bedding, including duvets, throw blankets, and pillows.
The Henry Ford x Lambs and Dragons collaboration features four distinctive designs inspired by the museum’s collection of historic textiles, machinery, and archival materials. Lambs & Dragons’ designers explored the institution’s vast collection and created custom designs by blending current trends and colorways with materials dating from the mid-1800s into the early 1900s.
“Lambs & Dragons’ collaboration with The Henry Ford offered an incredible opportunity to tell an important story of American culture, innovation, and can-do spirit,” says Tracy Hutson, co-founder of Lambs & Dragons. “With access to an extensive and historic collection, we blended vintage and retro textiles with modern colorways to create a design-forward capsule collection that also preserves the integrity of the original textile arts.”
Designs featured in the new collaboration include:
- The Cotswold, named after an English cottage dismantled and re-erected in the gardens at Greenfield Village, utilizes vintage florals to illustrate the changing relationships between humans, plants and the environment. This design is offered in both blue-green and orange-magenta colorways.
- The retro-inspired Pixel design pays homage to The Henry Ford’s communication and information technology collection, which documents the ways people live through technology. Pixel is offered in both muted and bold colorways.
- The Trellis design is inspired by the serenity of The Henry Ford’s campus and gardens. Designed to help relax and unwind, Trellis combines the beauty of agriculture and design, two key areas of collecting at The Henry Ford. It is offered in blue-purple and pink-green colorways.
- Named for Luther Burbank, an American plant breeder, naturalist, and author whose birthplace is an integral part of The Henry Ford, the Burbank features art deco-inspired designs with hints of tulips. Burbank is inspired by springtime at The Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village and is offered in pink-blue and green-purple colorways.
For more information, visit here.
Study: Michigan a Top 5 State for Interest in Property Investment
A study of Google search data by Malibu Real Estate shows that Michigan is the nation’s fifth-rated state for interest in property investment.
“The Great Lakes State has a Google search volume of 417.5 per 100,000 citizens dedicated to real estate investment terms on average each month,” the study says. “Among the terms analyzed, Michigan’s most searched-for term on Google was ‘foreclosed homes for sale.’ Foreclosed homes are typically priced lower than market value, making them a more affordable investment and more attractive to first-time investors.”
The company compared the monthly traffic of popular real estate investment-related terms across all 50 states. The search volume was then adjusted according to the population to determine the search volume per 100,000 residents to reveal the state most interested in property investment.
Wisconsin is at the top of the list for real estate investment-related searches.
Sources: Google keyword planner, Forward-Analytics, Census.gov.
Methodology: Google Keyword Planner data was taken for a range of real-estate investment-based search terms for each U.S. state. The average monthly search volume of each search term within that state was aggregated to return the “Total average monthly search volume” — this was then divided by the state’s population/100,000 to produce the searches per 100,000 citizens — this was then ranked. Population data was taken from the latest available Census data.
Espresso Public Relations Unveils New Headquarters in Birmingham
Espresso Public Relations has opened a new headquarters at 750 Forest Ave. in Birmingham.
The state-of-the-art office space is designed to foster creativity and collaboration with open-concept workspaces and meeting rooms.
“We are thrilled to offer this cutting-edge location as an extension of Espresso’s unwavering dedication to providing excellent service and delivering exceptional results for our esteemed clients,” says Jake Serwer, founder and CEO of Espresso Public Relations.
Established in 2017, Espresso Public Relations has represented numerous national technology brands, such as Lyft, Techstars Detroit, Altimetrik Corp., and Michigan Medicine’s Rewind Clinical Program, which is focused on reversing type 2 diabetes and features Michigan Football legend Desmond Howard as its brand ambassador.
The agency provides media relations services to a wide array of Michigan-based startups. It works with companies participating in incubators like Ann Arbor SPARK and Detroit Venture Partners, nurturing innovation and fostering growth for both emerging startups and established businesses.
Dutton Farm in Rochester Hills Receives DTE Energy Foundation Grant
Dutton Farm, a Rochester Hills-based behavioral health service provider, has accepted a grant awarded by DTE Energy Foundation to enhance its workforce development and advocacy efforts.
More than 1.3 million individuals with disabilities living in Michigan strive for equal opportunity in the workplace, while struggling to afford necessities.
“To eliminate barriers to employment, we must advocate for systemic change while also providing the support that individuals with disabilities need for success,” says Jenny Brown, CEO of Dutton Farm.
Dutton Farm’s Workforce Development program promotes employment opportunities by providing vocational training, job development, placement, and job coaching. Its approach involves an in-depth, person-centered process, resulting in a 95 percent employment success rate.
“The DTE Foundation partners with effective and equitable organizations that are committed to programming that serves the unmet needs of diverse, vulnerable residents while engaging the community,” says Rodney Cole, president of the DTE Foundation. “Dutton Farm’s work is vital to this mission, removing barriers by providing purpose and opportunities to Michiganders.
“Supporting organizations like Dutton Farm has a multiplier effect in developing our state’s talent and filling a void where families need it most. We are grateful to help further their efforts, ultimately expanding the team’s ability to serve the needs of individuals with disabilities entering the workforce.”
The grant will allow Dutton Farm to strengthen its program, increase outreach, training, and advocacy efforts to achieve equity for this underserved population, creating more inclusive workplaces and communities.
All Four One Welcomes Newest Adopt-A-School Partners
Element Detroit and Aloft Detroit Hotels, Jane Addams South Redford Schools Elementary School, and New Paradigm Glazer Academy have officially become All Four One Adopt-A-School partners.
Element Detroit and Aloft Detroit Hotels, and the duo of Jane Addams South Redford Schools Elementary School and New Paradigm Glazer Academy as corporate participants in this program that connects local employers and area schools.
“Adopt-A-School is a way for companies to create a meaningful volunteer program that directly and consistently benefits their school partner,” says Maggie Derthick, area sales manager for Aloft Detroit at the David Whitney | Element Detroit at the Metropolitan. “With our extensive experience in volunteer coordination, we help All Four One Adopt-A-School designated schools get the most from their relationship and make the whole process easier.”
Element Detroit and Aloft Detroit Hotels started working with All Four One in 2023 as part of its newly created All Four One program.
Because Jane Addams South Redford Schools Elementary School and New Paradigm Glazer Academy, and Element Detroit and Aloft Detroit Hotels, are more than 10 miles apart, it’s not surprising that projects that benefit the school and its students also benefit Element Detroit and Aloft Detroit Hotels employees who have children or grandchildren at Jane Addams South Redford Schools Elementary School and New Paradigm Glazer Academy.
Washtenaw County and Southeastern Michigan United Ways Announce Merger
At meetings in May and June, the boards of directors for United Way of Washtenaw County (UWWC) and United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) voted unanimously to merge their organizations.
Under the name United Way for Southeastern Michigan, the merged nonprofit will build upon legacies of local impact in Ann Arbor, Detroit, and communities throughout Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.
“Our two United Ways tackle tough social needs that don’t stop at city or county borders,” says Pan Smith, president and CEO of UWWC. “With a rich history of partnership, both within our communities and with each other, we expect this merger to accelerate our impact work regionwide.”
Darienne Hudson, president and CEO of UWSEM, will remain in that role, reporting to a combined board that will include representatives from both boards.
“Mobilizing the caring power of our communities requires partners with compassion, insight and a desire to create meaningful change,” says Hudson. “We share that mindset with our colleagues in Washtenaw County. I’m confident this merger will grow our impact in measurable ways for everyone we serve.”
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa Joins Forces with Primitiv Elevated Wellness
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, near Traverse City, along with Beach Fire Cannabis, have collaborated with Calvin Johnson and Rob Sims’ wellness brands, Primitiv and Primitiv Performance, to bring new products to both properties.
Primitiv was co-founded by former professional football players Sims, and 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Johnson as a forward-thinking company dedicated to the advancement of cannabis as a form of elevated wellness.
“What we’re doing with Primitiv right now, we’re trying to create innovative ways for people to apply the medicine in ways that work for them,” says Johnson. “By doing so, we’re able to attract new users because we’re educating the consumer to the healing powers of the plant. We believe the future of healing is in personalized plant-based medicine.”
Dawn Olsen, director of spa and recreation at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, says: “We are thrilled to bring the Primitiv Performance products into our services at Spa Grand Traverse and our retail area of the Resort’s Health Club.
“CBD has become a popular enhancement in our body care treatments. CBD oils can target areas of chronic pain and relieve inflammatory aches and sore muscles. CBD has a much quicker effect when it is massaged into your skin and Primitiv Performance’s broad-spectrum topical was formulated with a transdermal base to increase the cream’s efficacy. We see clients of all ages using these products for a more personalized treatment.”
Johnson and Sims will visit the resort on July 7 to promote their brand in northern Michigan. The duo will host a public meet and greet at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa outdoors near the golf Clubhouse from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Then they will then visit Beach Fire Cannabis, located next to Turtle Creek Market and Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, and host an in-store meet and greet from 2-4 p.m.
Michigan Shakespeare Festival Opens July 18
The Michigan Shakespeare Festival announced the return of the MainStage Festival Season for 2023.
The festival will present three productions in repertory from July 18-Aug. 20 at the Village Theater at Cherry Hill in Canton Township. These include Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” “Pericles, Prince of Tyre,” plus Georges Feydeau’s “A Flea in Her Ear.”
Producing Artistic Director Janice L. Blixt says the organization is looking at 2023 as a continuing renaissance for the Michigan Shakespeare Festival after returning in 2022 from a two-year absence due to COVID.
“We’re so pleased that our home in Canton is welcoming us back for 2023 and we’re thrilled to be able to present our shows at the beautiful Village Theater,” says Blixt, who notes that the festival has once again assembled an outstanding ensemble of professional actors and artisans from across the country to bring these epic productions to the stage.
For performance times and tickets, visit michiganshakespearefestival.com.
Thursday Evening Concert Series Takes Center Stage in Pontiac’s City Parks
Pontiac’s Thursday night Music in the Parks concert series will begin at 6:30 p.m. tonight at June Galloway Lake Park (1498 Perry St.) with The Project with Sweet Willie Tea.
One concert planned for each of the city’s seven districts and each will begin at 6:30 p.m. on select Thursdays throughout the summer. It is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to create engaging community events that foster unity and celebrate Pontiac’s cultural diversity.
“We are thrilled to introduce the Music in the Parks concert series as a new addition to our city’s rich tapestry of cultural events,” says Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel. “This series will not only provide a platform for talented musicians but will also bring the community together in a shared appreciation for the arts. We invite everyone to join us and experience the magic of live music in Pontiac’s parks.”
The schedule after tonight is as follows:
- July 13: North Kiwanis Park (Stanley Ave. at Emily St.) — Soul Train Tribute with The Sax Maniacs
- 3: Beaudette Park (786 Orchard Lake Road) — The Dirk Kroll Band with Kenya Cisneros Aug. 10: Aaron Perry Park (53-403 Edison St.) — The Firewalkers with Chava “El Charrito” Gomez
- 24: Rotary Park (at Wessen and Walnut streets) — Phat Greasy featuring Melanie Rutherford
- 7: Murphy Park, (Martin Luther King Boulevard at Osmun Street — Persuasion with Consuming Arts
For additional information and updates, visit here.
Charity Golf Classic to Raise Funds to Support Metro Detroiters with Mental Illness
The annual Gesher Lois Zussman Golf Classic, which raises funds to support The Lois and Milton Y. Zussman Activity Center in Southfield for people living with mental illness, will be played at Franklin Hills Country Club (31675 Inkster Road) in Franklin on July 17.
The Zussman activity center is known as clubhouse, and provides social and cultural activities, vocational and educational support, art and music enrichment, horticultural and culinary activities, volunteer opportunities, and more to its participants.
Evening activities at the event, open to non-golfers, include a cocktail reception, dinner, and an auction that includes prizes such as a golf trip for four to historic St. Andrews in Scotland. Last year’s event raised more than $200,000 to support the clubhouse, which offers programming to around 25 metro Detroiters each day.
To register, visit here.
CCS, Kresge Foundation Announce Artist Fellows and Gilda Award Recipients
The Kresge Foundation and the College for Creative Studies in Detroit have announced that 30 metro Detroit artists will share an unrestricted $550,000 in 2023 Kresge Artist Fellowships and Gilda Snowden Emerging Artist Awards.
The 15th cohort of award recipients consists of 15 Kresge Artist Fellows in visual arts and five Kresge Artist Fellows in literary arts, as well as seven Gilda Awards in visual arts, and three in literary arts.
The 2023 cohort is comprised of artists from various career stages and disciplines. The selection criteria for Kresge Artist Fellowships include a demonstrated track record of artistic achievement and high-quality work and the potential to reflect, enhance, or impact communities within metro Detroit.
Since 2008, Kresge Arts in Detroit has awarded nearly $8 million in unrestricted dollars directly to Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb county artists through:
- 15 Kresge Eminent Artist Awards ($50,000 each)
- 278 Kresge Artist Fellowships ($25,000 each)
- 52 Gilda Awards ($5,000 each)
