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.
Uncork for a Cure Coming to M1 Concourse in Pontiac Oct. 22
The Uncork for a Cure breast cancer fundraiser, hosted by The Dynami Foundation, will take place Oct. 22 at M1 Concourse in Pontiac. Tickets will go on sale here starting Sept. 15.
Now in its 7th year, the event raises funds for scientific research, education, and patient support surrounding breast cancer.
This year’s event features a new line-up of restaurant talent including four new restaurant additions: Bar Pigalle, Basan, Barda, and Oak & Reel. The evening also will feature culinary talent from Mabel Gray, SheWolf, Grey Ghost, Marrow, Karl’s, Rebecca Lamalfa, Motor City Seafood, Cantoro, and more.
Also included are world-class wines, music, art installations, track rides hosted by Cauley Ferrari of West Bloomfield Township, live and silent auctions, and more.
Wines will be hand-paired and curated by Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon of Plum Market and her colleagues. Additionally, metro Detroit artist Mike Han will be on-site painting a canvas for auction while Nicole Jarecz Illustration sketches attendees. Other auction items include vacation experiences, luxury wine packages, and more. A selection of classic and special interest cars will be on site for viewing, featuring a fleet of Ferraris from Cauley Ferrari.
“This year marks my 10th year being breast cancer free and I’m even more energized to help local women in need through Uncork for a Cure,” says Flora Migyanka, founder of The Dynami Foundation. “I’m so thankful for our partners, chefs, and supporters who have helped us along our journey. We cannot wait to feel the energy next month at the M1 Concourse.”
General admission tickets for this year’s Uncork for a Cure are $375. VIP and sponsorship packages are available now for purchase by visiting their website.
Automation Workz Launches EV Training at the Michigan Works Conference
The Michigan Works! Conference hosted 775 local workforce developers, connecting local talent and job leaders with the advocacy, training, and information tools they need to be successful in their communities at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant.
“Michigan is racing to catch and surpass Tesla in production of electric vehicles,” says Ida Byrd-Hill, CEO of Automation Workz. “This race to the top will not only change the automotive industry, but it will also accelerate automation throughout the entire society. The linchpin to this e-revolution is tech-trained front-liners.
“Children and their parents have already fallen in love with electric vehicle toys as they drive around their neighborhoods, listening to music connected via cell phones and tablets. It is time to develop front-liners for mid-level careers into the Electric Vehicle and automation industries.”
Automation Workz is a reskilling firm that discovers, predicts, motivates, and coaches front-liners through certification training in network engineering, cybersecurity, software programming, and data analytics.
“Automation Workz became a sponsor of the Michigan Works conference as WIOA funding is a great opportunity for companies to reskill their highly diverse front-line staff for this electric vehicle transition and reduce the great resignation and quiet quitting,” Byrd-Hill says. “Automation Workz is available to serve companies across the U.S.”
Any Lab Test Now Opens in Livonia
Any Lab Test Now, which helps people access affordable and quick medical lab tests, including drug tests, hormone tests, allergy tests, weight loss testing, DNA testing, ancestry testing, and COVID-19 tests, has opened in Livonia
Located at 37112 Six Mile Road, Any Lab Test now is the third business for franchisee Tim and Kim Frank of West Bloomfield Township, who want to support the local community with convenient and cost-effective lab tests for both consumers and businesses. The Franks envision the lab as an important contributor to health and well-being in the greater Livonia area, serving individuals in need of affordable lab services as well as businesses looking for a reliable source of medical testing for employment.
The location will host a grand opening and ribbon cutting from 3:30-6 p.m. Sept. 23, which will include tours, refreshments, and giveaways. One percent of patient fees collected during the grand opening will be donated to Healthy Livonia, a local collaboration to make Livonia the healthiest city in the country. The ribbon cutting is planned for 4 p.m. and the public is welcome. Guests touring the facility are requested to wear face masks.
The business is led by Kim Frank’s father, Dr. Ronald Williamson, who works alongside a professional team to offer 8,000-plus standard lab tests in a professional, transparent manner. Most test results are available in 24-72 hours. Tests range from $279 to $49. A limited number of complimentary school sports physicals, and free B-12 and immunity boosters will be offered at the grand opening on a first-come, first-served basis.
A national franchise with more than 200 locations, Any Lab Test Now provides affordable and confidential lab tests, including general health and wellness panels, ancestry, weight loss, pregnancy, HIV/STD, drug, and paternity tests, along with B-12 shots and pre-employment drug screening. The Livonia location is the third franchise in Michigan.
“It’s really a perfect solution for individuals with high-deductible health plans, those with no insurance or people who desire confidential testing,” says Kim Frank. “Like any medical facility we follow all HIPPA guidelines and state regulations to protect our patients’ safety, privacy and confidentiality.”
For more information, visit here.
Transblue Project Management Company Opens First Michigan Location in Brighton
Transblue, a construction and project management company, is opening its newest location in Brighton Sept. 19. Locally owned by Rob Offerman, Transblue will offer luxury exterior design services to commercial, multi-family, and homeowner properties across the area.
As the professional link between clients and contractors, Transblue manages all aspects of exterior construction projects to ensure form, beauty, and function for all outdoor needs. This will be Transblue’s first Michigan location.
For more information, visit here.
America’s Swimming Pool Co. Opens First Location in Michigan
America’s Swimming Pool Co. (ASP) has opened a location in Troy, its first in Michigan.
ASP of Troy is owned and operated by Dave and Danielle Boddington and is serving Troy and the surrounding area.
This opening is one of 10 new locations in the first half of 2022. This growth includes the brand’s second territory in New York, as well as new franchises in key states such as Texas, Florida, New Jersey, and Missouri. Each location provides swimming pool maintenance, repair, remodeling, and cleaning programs to its respective cities and surrounding communities.
“It has been a very successful 2022 summer season, but our momentum started even earlier in the year with these fantastic new franchise owners joining the ASP family,” says Stewart Vernon, founder and COO of America’s Swimming Pool Co.. “We are thrilled to be expanding in the Midwest and doing business in Michigan for the first time, as well as continued growth in established states like Texas and Florida. It’s a testament to the strength of the pool care industry and the ASP business model that continues to attract top-notch talent to seize the opportunities in their markets.”
SEE Eyewear Partners with Artist Mike Han on New Capsule Collection
Southfield-based eclectic eyewear company SEE has partnered with Detroit artist Mike Han on a capsule collection of handmade sunglasses.
The SEE x Mike Han capsule collection will arrive in stores and on the SEE website Sept. 20.
“I’m excited to be partnering with SEE for my collection, as they are a champion for local artists,” Han says. “They’re bringing my work to major markets across the country and giving me a full circle moment in SoHo where I experienced Keith Haring’s Pop Shop more than 30 years ago.”
Two canvases painted by Han will be auctioned, with all proceeds being donated to the Detroit Excellence in Youth Arts (DEYA) Fund at The Children’s Foundation to support visual arts/design nonprofits teaching arts entrepreneurship to Detroit youth.
The capsule collection includes multiple styles featuring 8 mm Italian acetate, 7-barrel German hinges, beveling to the eye rim for added dimension, polarized lenses, and custom laser etching of Han’s artwork.
“The highest quality materials were used in the manufacturing of the collection,” says Randal Golden, co-founder and executive vice president of SEE. “All of the pieces are handmade by some of the finest craftsmen in France. We are thrilled with the results of the custom etching. They make the sunglasses truly special.”
SEE will be hosting Han for a pop-up, live action painting parties from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at two SEE locations in September:
- 15 — Birmingham
- 29 — SEE SoHo, New York City
The paintings will then be auctioned off online via the SEE website, with the proceeds from the sale of both paintings going to the Detroit Excellence in Youth Arts (DEYA) Fund at The Children’s Foundation to support visual arts/design nonprofits teaching arts entrepreneurship to Detroit youth.
Michigan Women Forward Announces 2022 Women’s Hall of Fame Inductees
Michigan Women Forward announced its 2022 Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame inductees who will be inducted in a ceremony Nov. 9 at the Garden Theater in Detroit.
The contemporary inductees include:
- Mary Kramer, vice president and director of special projects at Crain Communications.
- Carol Sue Hutchins, University of Michigan’s winningest head softball coach in NCAA history.
- Danielle Camille Woods, police officer and LGBTQ liaison at the city of Detroit.
In the historical category, Michigan Women Forward will recognize Esther Gordy Edwards, visionary founder and sustainer of the Motown Historical Museum, and Mary Locke Petermann, an American cellular biochemist known for her discovery of animal ribosomes.
The five women will join 339 other Hall of Fame inductees since its inception 39 years ago.
“Michigan Women Forward is proud to announce this outstanding group of honorees,” says Carolyn Cassin, president and CEO of Michigan Women Forward. “These women have helped pave the way for Michigan women and girls. Each of these five women is a trailblazer in her own unique way. We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments and inducting them into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame.”
Tickets for the induction ceremony go on sale Sept. 26. Sponsorship opportunities are available and start at $1,000. For more information, contact Carmen Szurpicki at 248-982-2064 or cszurpicki@miwf.org. For a complete list of inductees and more information about how the nonprofit is celebrating Michigan women, visit miwf.org.
Southwest Detroit Business Association to Host Community Investment Breakfast Sept. 22
The Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA) will host its 2022 Community Investment Breakfast (CIB) from 8-10 a.m. Sept. 22 at The Corner Ballpark, located at 1680 Michigan Ave., Detroit.
The annual event, which brings together hundreds of business owners, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and residents, will celebrate the nonprofit’s more than 65 years of service to the southwest Detroit community. WDIV-TV 4 Reporter and Anchor Jason Colthorp will serve as the master of ceremonies.
“For nearly 70 years SDBA has led community, economic, and small business development in southwest Detroit,” says Alicia Ramon, interim president and CEO of SDBA. “As a lead convener, we believe the key to the future of powering Southwest Detroit’s economic engine is to strengthen small businesses, accelerate economic growth, and fiercely advocate for inclusive and equitable systems that cultivate healthy and thriving neighborhoods.”
This year’s event will take place during Hispanic Heritage Month and will feature a panel discussion that will address the Future of Powering Southwest Detroit’s Economic Engine featuring: Mary Culler, president, Ford Motor Co. Fund; David Egner, president and CEOr, Ralph C. Wilson Foundation; R.J. King, editor, DBusiness magazine; and Camille Walker Banks, executive director, LISC Detroit.
The panel will discuss, how equitable and inclusive developments and strategic community investments contribute toward sustainable economic growth, improve the quality of life for local communities, and create an environment for public and private investment.
Each year at the CIB, the SDBA board and staff honor local business and community leaders.
The 2022 awards ceremony will honor individuals in three categories:
- The Real Estate Development — Luis Ali and Tanya Saldivar-Ali, co-founders and business development director at AGI Construction.
- The Business Development and Southwest Champion — Michael Odom, vice president of Marx Layne and Co. and former SDBA chairman.
- The Kathy Wendler Award, which recognizes an individual or business whose advocacy and body of work exemplifies the mission and values of SDBA — Theresa Zajac, retired SDBA vice president.
CIB Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased here.
TEDxDetroit Announces First Wave of Confirmed Speakers for Oct. 26 Event
TEDxDetroit, the gathering of leading entrepreneurs, creatives, engineers, educators, and artists from Detroit and across Michigan, has announced the first group of confirmed speakers who will take to the stage at Detroit’s historic Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 26.
They are:
- Swamy Kotagiri, CEO of Magna International.
- Sarah Welch, Top Chef contestant and head chef at Marrow.
- Benji Rosenzweig, dad to a special-needs daughter will explore the power of non-verbal communication and how it’s enhanced through music.
- Rochelle Riley, director of arts and culture for the city of Detroit.
“The team is thrilled to be bringing TEDx back to Detroit for the 14th time,” says Terry Bean, executive producer and community director for TEDxDetroit. “Every year we fill the stage with innovators, motivators, and do greaters who make us all proud to call this area home. We have another stellar slate of presenters who will show the diversity, creativity and leadership of Detroit, and I can’t wait for Oct. 26 at The Music Hall.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.
Harman Ready Care Detects Driver Behaviors, Assists via Context-aware Interventions
Harman, a Novi-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., introduced Ready Care, the latest solution in the company’s portfolio of products designed and built to deliver consumer-focused experiences at an automotive grade.
Ready Care is a set of solutions – cognitive distraction, stress-free routing, and personalized comfort – that can work together or independently to improve safety and reduce driver stress. It measures cognitive load for drivers in real-time, responding with tailored interventions to instances of distraction, drowsiness, or anxiety.
The experience is powered by newly developed machine learning algorithms, which gather and process data from in-vehicle cameras and sensors to monitor a driver’s state and generate customized in-vehicle cabin prompts to trigger a range of behavioral responses — increasing awareness, alleviating stress or inducing/stimulating ease and relief.
“Safety remains a top concern for consumers when considering a new vehicle purchase — and now, with Ready Care, OEMs can improve vehicle safety in a significant new way,” says Armin Prommersberger, senior vice president of automotive product management at Harman International. “Ready Care is essentially a co-pilot, spotting when distractions could turn into dangerous situations and intervening to avoid them. For the first time, the vehicle can know what the driver is thinking; this is a game changer. We are incredibly proud of and excited by the impact Ready Care will have for drivers, passengers, and everyone on the road.”
For more information, visit car.harman.com.
City of Detroit to Host Digital Inclusion Week Oct. 3-7
Can Detroit become a national model for digital inclusion? Organizers of Detroit Digital Inclusion Week say yes, and they’re getting set to launch five days of events, workshops, and panel discussions aimed at getting more Detroiters connected than ever before.
“We have made great strides over the last few years – getting Detroiters tens of thousands of computers, affordable internet access, digital literacy training, and jobs,” says Joshua Edmonds, director of digital inclusion for the city. “But there’s much more work to be done. In the coming months, we’ll begin building a fiber optic internet infrastructure in our city and that’s going to open the door to continued growth and countless new opportunities.”
Events will take place daily from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in different locations. Below is the schedule of events, location, and the theme for each day.
Day 1 – Leadership and Policy
Where: Wayne State University Student Center, 5221 Gullen Mall, Detroit
What: A keynote panel discussion with Eric Frederick, Michigan’s new chief connectivity officer and Joshua Edmonds, Detroit’s Director of Digital Inclusion, kicks off the week. Also: CEO Action Group; Apple Developer Academy and C313 Community Organizers; and more.
Day 2 – Academic Research Symposium
Where: Wayne State University McGregor Conference Center, 495 Gilmour Mall, Detroit
What: New this year, more than a dozen academic professionals will gather to reflect on the past decade of digital inclusion and highlight modern-day initiatives through presentations, workshops, panels, and roundtables. Speakers will cover numerous topics including digital equity and inclusion, supporting children in the classroom, creating digitally accessible neighborhoods, and more.
Day 3 – Focus on Small Business
Where: Ford Resource & Engagement Center, East, 15491 Maddelein St., Detroit
What: TechTown, Invest Detroit, the Apple Developer Academy and more provide a day learning, growth, and opportunity in the digital space.
Day 4 – Connected Communities
Where: Ford Resource & Engagement Center, East, 15491 Maddelein St., Detroit
What: This day features a variety of free digital empowerment workshops for anyone looking to sharpen their digital skills while safely and confidently navigating Internet byways.
Day 5 – The Future is NOW: Engaging Youth in a Meaningful Way
Where: Fisher Magnet Upper School, next to FREC East (15491 Maddelein St., Detroit)
This day provides ways to attract kids to STEM education, IT careers, and the digital world’s many opportunities.
To register, visit here.
Building a New Legacy: A Summit for Black and Latina Women
JP Morgan will be presenting Building a New Legacy: A Summit for Black and Latina Women at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at the International Banquet Center in Detroit.
The event will feature author and financial educator Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche and include a complimentary dinner and cocktails.
It is a gathering of local women for an evening of networking and investing insights focusing on:
- Practical tips to reach legacy-building goals
- Master classes on multi-generational wealth and investing for entrepreneurs
For more information and to register, visit here.
Blue Cross Elevates Role of Primary Care Physicians in Treatment of Mental Health
Recognizing the critical role primary care physician practices play in the identification, diagnosis and treatment of patients’ behavioral health care concerns, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) announced the first 213 physician practice designations in its Collaborative Care program.
Collaborative Care is a model where patients’ behavioral health care is coordinated within the Patient-Centered Medical Home primary care practice. Practices in 33 counties across Michigan have earned the inaugural designation.
Collaborative Care adds a behavioral health component to the PCMH practice. In a Collaborative Care practice, a behavioral health care manager and a consulting psychiatrist are added to the patient’s care team. The behavioral health care manager works with the patient, the physician and the consulting psychiatrist to coordinate treatment. This allows patients to connect to appropriate behavioral medicine quickly and right from their primary care doctor’s office.
“The Collaborative Care designation program builds on our award-winning Patient-Centered Medical Home foundation to provide additional support to members who need help with behavioral health issues,” says Dr. Amy McKenzie, associate chief medical officer. “We’re hopeful it will help address the current behavioral health emergency facing our country and state.”
For more information about Patient-Centered Medical Home, go to valuepartnerships.com.
