Thu, Sep 19, 2024 • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT
Effective leadership hiring goes beyond matching skills; it’s about ensuring strategic alignment with your company’s mission and culture. This webinar provides targeted tactics that help you identify and select leaders who will thrive and contribute to your organization’s long-term success. I’ll talk through the critical success factors in best practice leadership hiring, such as identifying success in the role, identifying success in candidates, and identifying success in your selection process.
October 3, 2024 • 7:30 AM – 11:45 AM
For over 17 years, Corp!, a WBENC Company, has been honoring businesses, organizations, and leaders who demonstrate outstanding commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in their respective entities or communities. Through its prestigious event, Corp! Magazine’s Salute to Diversity, they bring together a diverse group of individuals for an educational occasion and awards ceremony. This event offers an invaluable platform for networking and welcomes insightful speakers who share best practices, driving positive change and progress in the realm of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the business world.
For 25 years, Chris and Kim Casteel escorted VIPs along the parade route during America’s Thanksgiving Parade along Woodward in downtown Detroit.
While walking alongside their VIPs last year, the Casteels took note of how much the Distinguished Clown Corps members walking right behind them were enjoying themselves, and decided they wanted to see what all the fun was about.
Jennifer Dale of Belleville grabs a picture with Clownie, the mascot of the America’s Thanksgiving Parade.
So when the parade steps off Nov. 28, the Casteels will be among more than 20 brand new parade clowns.
“Last year … those (clowns) were keeping things exciting the whole way through,” Chris Casteel recalled. “We ended up meeting up at the DIA and we thought, “these clowns are having way too much fun. We need to see what’s going on here.”
The Distinguished Clowns have been one of the parade’s most popular traditions for more than four decades. Hundreds of clown wannabes willingly pay for the privilege – it is, after all, a fundraiser – and stroll the parade route, handing out beads, smiles and handshakes all along the route.
Tony Michaels, the president and CEO of The Parade Company, that last year’s parade drew 180 clowns. The parade’s highest total, he said, was 200 – “That’s our maximum,” Michael said – and some 190 clowns are expected to walk this year.
“This year we already have 20 brand new clowns, which is amazing,” Michaels told an enthusiastic crowd at a reception honoring the Distinguished Clown Corps and acting as a kickoff to the Thanksgiving season.
Matt Cullen understands the importance of the clowns and the place they hold in parade lore. Cullen, the chairman of JACK Entertainment, a former president of Rock Ventures and the chairman of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, has been a Distinguished Clown for 27 years.
“(The parade) started off as a family tradition, and over a period of years I thought it would be fun to be in the parade and be a clown,” Cullen said. “After 27 years, it’s really a key part of our family tradition.”
Cullen said there’s “nothing better than parade morning.”
“Having the kids want their beads, the parents want their kids to have a picture (with the clowns), everyone’s having a great time,” he said. “It’s a part of the spirit of the parade. We get to interact with the kids, we have our beads to hand out, we greet everybody and make sure they’re having a good time.
Parade costumes of the Distinguished Clown Corps.
“We’re there, good weather or bad weather … it creates a lot of fun,” he added. “It’s about getting up (Thanksgiving morning) and doing something to give back. It’s all of those things.”
Chris Casteel, an amputee who lost his left leg 37 years ago, has decided his costume (Kim hasn’t decided just yet what hers will be) will have a robot theme, because of that artificial leg.
“I wanted to expose that, so people could see someone walking along Woodward with an artificial leg,” said Chris Casteel, who with his wife owns A New Life, a prosthetics and orthotics practice in Detroit. “We’ve been longtime supporters of people with limb loss, and sometimes the best way to do that is to show people what can be done.
“We try to give (amputees) the knowledge, help them get back on their feet and do what they want to do,” he added. “If they want to be a clown, they can be a clown.”
While they’ve enjoyed the 25 years they been VIP escorts, the Casteels are really looking forward to this year’s event.
“We love being in the parade,” Kim Casteel said. “We love the high fives, we love giving away the beads, we love the smiles. We love everything about it.”
Darcy Leutzinger is director of security for United Wholesale Mortgage. Photo by Mark Kocina
In an age when violence runs rampant in schools, on playgrounds and in businesses, being prepared to deal with it has become a critical workplace safety issue. That’s where folks like Darcy Leutzinger come in.
Leutzinger, the vice president and director of security at United Wholesale Mortgage, is responsible for safeguarding more than 7,000 team members at the UWM campus in Pontiac.
Darcy Leutzinger
Leutzinger’s team has provided security through things like procuring shuttle rides and screening more than 8,000 visitors this year alone, not to mention doing active-shooter training for more than 2,000 team members through a training program — Active Violence Emergency Response Training – he co-founded. There was a recent random shooting at a splash pad in Rochester Hills, and there have been a number of active-shooter incidents all over the country lately.
With the number of such incidents climbing, Leutzinger says a safety force like UWM’s is necessary to be prepared.
“We have to be vigilant that this potentially could happen anywhere,” Leutzinger said. “Who would have thought that it would happen on a splash pad on a Saturday afternoon before Father’s Day with a bunch of kids? You can’t forecast that.
“So, we need to be very diligent in our job,” he added. “We constantly debrief (leadership) about incidents and talk about where we can be better at and different things we can do. We think of every contingent that we can do to keep our team members safe here. We practice and plan and do tabletop exercises, training for weather related emergencies or fires, anything that could potentially happen.”
Leutzinger spent more than 27 years with the Warren Police Department, holding roles ranging from SWAT commander to undercover narcotics officer. Following his time with the force, Leutzinger transitioned to Hollywood, leveraging his expertise to enhance the realism of police roles in films like Batman V Superman and Transformers.
He’s also a recent PhD recipient who serves as a visiting assistant professor at the University of Pacific, cultivating students’ leadership, strategic management and communication skills.
Leutzinger recently sat down with Corp! Magazine to discuss his career, the evolving task of providing safety and other issues:
Corp! Magazine: Was law enforcement something you’d always wanted to do? Darcy Leutzinger: Actually, I worked for Universal Ambulance as a paramedic firefighter, and that was going to be my original route. And then from working with the law enforcement police down there, especially with Warren and working in the same area that I grew up with, I became very familiar with a lot of the officers that were working there and they said, ‘Hey, we’re hiring.’
I was hired in January 1987, and I worked everything from road patrol to a training officer. I was in narcotics for a long time. Detective, I was on the SWAT team for 24 years in the last 10 years as the commander of it.
Corp!: What made you interested in being part of the SWAT team? Leutzinger: I thought it was fantastic … that you could work with a group of individuals that were like-minded, highly motivated, but also mission specific, military type of thing that you did. We had one thing to solve, so go solve it. It was from either high-risk search warrants to narcotic drug rates, barricaded government hostage rescue. We worked on a lot of different scenarios like that over the years, and it just gave you an incredible amount of satisfaction working with a bunch of individuals that work together to solve a major issue of problem together.
Corp!: Did you retire from there or did you just move on and find something different to do? Leutzinger: Actually, I retired as a lieutenant in charge of special investigations, and I went down and worked with some other private security, did a lot of consulting with different agencies. I started my own training company, which I was going to get into. One of the training things that I developed was AVERT — Active Violence Emergency Response training — which is now one of the gold standards for active shooter response and training throughout the United States. There’s AVERT in all 50 states right now.
Corp!: Talk about what you do for UWM now. Leutzinger: I’m in charge of security for the company itself. We’ve got a security team of about 144 full-time officers … that work three shifts 365 days a year, and we are the team that does not go home.
Corp!: Why would a company like UWM need a security force that large? Leutzinger: We have 7,000 employees. We’ve got 19 doors here, so we make sure that there’s officers in every door where we have vehicle patrols in the parking lot. Our officers will help with tire changes, they’ll help with jump-starting your car. We’re the first ones you see when you walk into the building and the last when you leave every day.
It’s a comfort for the team, but it’s also a comfort for their families. Our median age is a little younger of a workforce here, and they want to make sure that when people go to work that their family is safe, that they’re safe. And one of the main things that I get from people that just walk by my office and the door’s open, I get a lot of thank yous. ‘We really feel comfortable here. We feel safe here.’
Corp!: You got involved with Hollywood. How did that come about? Leutzinger: Hollywood came to me … when we had the film industry come to Michigan there for a short time, I had some people reach out to me to … to help with some weapons on set and we need somebody to make sure that they’re safe.
And after that happened, my name got around and next thing you know, I got a call from another producer bringing in another movie and we’re bringing a TV, and we see that you can do this. I developed a relationship in California with ISS Props, who are the largest weapon of prop distributor in the world. And they asked me to be the weapons armor for everything coming into Michigan. And then that kind of transcended into technical advising.
I got my Screen Actors Guild card. I’ve got speaking parts in about 10 different movies. If you look at IMDB, I’ve got just a ton of movies under my belt right there. And it was just because I was in the right place at the right time.
Corp!: Talk a little more about AVERT. How did you get that started? Leutzinger: So being in law enforcement and running a SWAT team, I was in charge of training a lot of different law enforcement officers and how to respond to active shooter type events. Actually, my PhD in emergency management is based on the theory that everybody in law enforcement should be responding the same way, that there’s continuity in response and training to help people every situation and throughout the United States in the world.
We developed really basic weapon disarming drills for close-quarter type of situations. So, thousands and tens of thousands of people around the country can be trained on it. We offer it to our team members here as a voluntary basis.
Corp!: Has providing security for a business changed much over the years? Are there more challenges to it now? Leutzinger: People don’t change, but technology does. So, what’s important for us to do is stay up on the latest technology to make sure that the tools that we have available can help us do our job better. So that’s something that we are always working with. We work with the other teams here, security teams at UW M, the IT teams, security teams, and then we’re always looking at what’s the latest, greatest thing. It’s about preparation, right?
Corp!: So what’s next for you? Leutzinger: I want to be here for a long time. I think this company is growing. Our owner (Mat Ishbia) owns an NBA team (the Phoenix Suns). So, it’s interesting looking at security from that level. And plus, our team is growing and I want to make sure that this team is as prepared as they possibly can be. I want to be part of a team that every day gets to actually help somebody. And it is just amazing to me how diverse, but how alike that we really are because we have one common goal and that’s to provide the best service to our team members that we can here.
While no one anticipates the end of a marriage, sometimes divorce happens. It can be emotionally devastating, and even more complicated if you are a business owner.
When a divorce occurs in the absence of a prenuptial agreement, your business interest, or at least some of its value, may be considered a marital asset. This can lead to challenges to valuing and dividing the family’s assets and liabilities.
Here are some options to protect your family business if you don’t have prenups in place. Of course, it’s always best to consult with an experienced attorney and CPA who can advise you on the best moves for your specific circumstances.
Postnuptial Agreements Postnuptial agreements function similarly to prenuptial agreements except they are signed after marriage. In a postnuptial agreement, similar to a prenuptial agreement, both partners must agree to the terms. These agreements can address how business assets, personal assets and debts will be distributed, designate ownership rights, determine the valuation of the business, and can include additional clauses to safeguard the family business should the marriage end.
However, postnuptial agreements require “consideration” for entering into them. The consideration can take various forms, including money, property, services or any other valuable benefits. Often, postnuptial agreements are entered into when there is a change in circumstances, positive or negative.
Buy-Sell Agreements Buy-sell agreements and redemption agreements can help protect the stability of a family-owned business. This contract is a legally binding contract between family business co-owners and their business to address various scenarios, such as the death or disability of a co-owner, retirement, divorce and voluntary or involuntary departures from the business.
The Buy-Sell Agreement can function as a stand-alone contract or be incorporated as a provision in the partnership, shareholder or operating agreements, as applicable. Its purpose is to protect the business interests of the other co-owners in the event that one of the owners experiences a divorce, ensuring control and ownership remains within the family business.
Regarding divorce, if the business-owner spouse wants to retain control of the business, while the non-owner spouse wants to cash out his/her “share” of the business value, the business-owner spouse may choose to “buy out” the non-owner’s interest in the business.
Attorney Richard Schloss with Dawda Mann, PLC in Bloomfield Hills, said, “many times the sales price for the business owner is discounted for an event of a divorce. For example, in a case where there are multiple owners of the business, and the spouse is not an owner, the buy-sell agreement may provide for the buyout of the owner spouse’s interest at a discounted value over time. This provision aims to put a chilling effect on the non-owner spouse’s attempt to maximize value for the business interest. I recommend that when there is a non-owner spouse, the non-owner spouse agrees to the terms of the buy-sell agreement to avoid conflict if a divorce occurs.”
In addition, buy-sell agreements can protect the family business by prohibiting owners from selling to people outside the family. Having such an agreement in place can facilitate a smooth transition without disrupting business operations.
Additional steps and tips to safeguard your family business and your own interests during a divorce include:
Clear Business Ownership Documentation – maintain meticulous records to ensure that all documents designate the sole owners of the family business and the business’s ownership structure by clearly outlining each family member’s role, shares, and responsibilities within the business. Having well-documented ownership agreements can help prevent disputes during divorce proceedings.
Separate Business and Personal Expenses – keep detailed documents that state where the capital came from to start your business and capital used for business expenses -whether it came from your own (pre-marital) assets or marital assets. Take care not to commingle your personal and business assets and expenses. This can reduce financial scrutiny during divorce and help to keep IRS out of your hair.
Avoid Using Marital Funds – using marital funds can make a pre-owned family business, or a portion of it, a marital asset instead of a separate asset.
Avoid Spousal Contributions to the Business – if both spouses contribute to the business in some way (the non-owner spouse participates in operations or takes on an executive role), a pre-owned family business can become a marital asset. To avoid this risk, consider whether a spouse should participate in the business at all. However, if your spouse does work for the family business, pay the spouse a fair market rate for any work as an employee. Also, you can create a spousal employment contract that clearly defines their role and responsibilities.
Pay Yourself a Reasonable Salary – frequently, business owners pay themselves an income below the fair market standard in order to reinvest the amount back into the business. An ex-spouse may claim he or she is entitled to more money or a larger share of the business because potential earnings went back into the business rather than the household. Therefore, a business owner should pay themselves a salary based on fair market value for the line of work and type of business they run to avoid such a claim and demonstrate a clear line between family business assets and personal assets.
These strategies highlight the importance of proactive planning and having clear, accurate documentation. Consulting with legal experts and CPAs is crucial to tailor these strategies to your unique family business situation. Implementing these strategies can help protect both the family business legacy and ensure the family business continues smoothly without disruption even in the event of a divorce.
Ursula Scroggs, CPA, is managing director at DKSS CPAs + Advisors, with offices in Troy and St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Jean Stenger, CPA, is director of operations for DKSS.
ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. — A spectacular evening was held in celebration of the children of Michigan by Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan to a sold-out crowd at the organization’s Lucky 21st Annual Gala on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at Penna’s of Sterling.
Highlights of the evening included dinner, dancing, sweet treat extravaganza, kids’ activities: arcade, photo booth, money booth, spin-to-win wheel, VR 4 Kids Table with virtual reality headsets, tea party with princesses & superheroes from Crowns Against Cancer, and a Barbie photo opportunity.
There were over 150 exciting raffles and auctions to win, and one lucky supporter took home the $1,000 pre-gala raffle prize. Dave Santia, a speed painter who utilizes a combination of music, speed & color, created 2 stunning paintings of local artist Eminem and Taylor Swift. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet several dignitaries and celebrities in the audience.
Maggie Varney, Founder and CEO thanked guests and volunteers for their support, indicating that every attraction at the gala was donated and funds raised will continue to benefit the children of Michigan.
“Our event is all about the kids – they’re the real heroes and it’s an honor and privilege to serve them and their families,” Varney said. “Our annual gala is a celebration of their life, journey and community. We come together so we may continue to support them through their health challenges.”
Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan is a local, grassroots nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that provides wigs and support services to children ages 3 to 18 at no charge throughout the state of Michigan. The organization has helped over 5,400 Michigan children at no charge since 2003 thanks to the kindness & generosity of the community. If you know of a child in need of Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan’s services, please call 586-772-6656, or email [email protected].
The nonprofit is always looking for volunteers. Visit their Wellness Center located at: 30130 Harper Avenue, St. Clair Shores, MI 48082 to get involved in supporting the cause. Hair donations are appreciated as it takes 10-12 ponytails to make a wig for a child in need. More information is available at: www.wigs4kids.org.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A groundbreaking ceremony was held in the Boston Square neighborhood of Grand Rapids, celebrating the start of construction for a new 57-unit affordable rental housing building at 1470 Kalamazoo Avenue SE.
This building, part of the Boston Square Together initiative facilitated by Amplify GR, will also feature nearly 5,000 square feet of retail space for entrepreneurs and sit on land formerly occupied by Standard Kitchens.
“This concept was created together with neighbors and community partners for the future of Boston Square,” said Rev. Kenneth Hoskins, Oakdale Neighbors executive director and chair of the Boston Square Neighborhood Association. “The engagement process captured what neighbors said they wanted for housing, so we are excited to bring the ideas to reality.”
Known as “F2 Building” (F is for family) within the Boston Square Together Site Plan, the structure is expected to be completed in 2026. The building captures and delivers on a priority expressed by neighbors to have mixed-income housing for their community.
The four-story, 57-unit building will feature three rental options:
17 one-bedroom units
30 two-bedroom units
10 three-bedroom units
The units will be designated as “mixed-income and affordable,” meaning:
80% are reserved for families earning between 20-60% Area Medi Income
20% are reserved for “missing middle” housing 80% and above AMI
The process for applying for the units has yet to be confirmed. Project officials hope to finalize and share that information shortly.
The building will offer nearly 5,000 square feet of commercial retail space on the ground floor. Project leaders hope to attract local entrepreneurs looking for high visibility in a collaborative environment within the high-traffic Boston Square Business District. Amplify GR is exploring a community ownership pilot for the space.
The design and scope of the F2 project was informed through a community process facilitated in 2019 by Boston Square Together partners and continuing today through monthly engagement from a Neighborhood Advisory Committee. UrbanWorks was the lead architect, Brinshore Development is the development partner and Rockford Construction is leading construction.
“The City of Grand Rapids is proud to partner with Boston Square Together and Amplify GR to support this housing and commercial development through the Grand Rapids Affordable Housing Fund,” shared Mayor Rosalynn Bliss. “The City shares neighbors’ priority of creating equitable development opportunities, and I personally cannot wait to see families enjoy this new community asset.”
For months now, as inflation dropped closer to the Federal Reserves 2% target, economists have been expecting a cut to the Fed’s key interest rate in September.
Turns out they were right.
The Fed lowered the interest rate by a full half-point Wednesday, the first rate cut in more than four years.
With the labor market slowing, Fed officials opted for a bold approach to launch a projected flurry of rate cuts now that inflation is easing, USA Today reported Wednesday.
While many economists had expected a series of cuts the rest of the year, the Fed in announcing this one also signaled further cuts this year would likely only total another half-point.
“The (Fed) has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2%, and judges that the risks to achieving its employment and inflation goals are roughly in balance,” the Fed said in a statement after a two-day meeting. “The economic outlook is uncertain, and the Fed is attentive to the risks of both sides of its dual mandate.”
In the statement, Fed officials also said “inflation has made further progress toward (their) 2% goal.” Previously, they said “there has been some further progress” toward that target.
Fed Governor Michelle Bowman was the lone dissenter, preferring a quarter point cut, according to the USA Today report.
The decision lowers its benchmark short-term rate to a range of 4.75% to 5% from a 23-year high of 5.25% to 5.5% after a series of 11 increases since May 2022.
The move is expected to provide the relief in years to Americans who have struggled with high borrowing costs for mortgages, credit cards, and auto and other loans.
Yet it also will trim bank savings account yields that finally have provided significant returns.
Beside forecasting a dip in the federal funds rate to a range of 4.75% to 5% by year’s end, Fed policymakers also suggested there would be four quarter-point cuts next year and two more in 2026. That roadmap would reduce the key rate to about 2.9% by the end of 2026.
Before the decision, futures markets correctly predicted the Fed would approve a half-point cut Wednesday. But they forecast a total 1.25 percentage points in reductions this year and officials’ median estimate fell a quarter point shy of that, the USA Today report said.
The economy grew at a 3% annual rate in the second quarter, giving the Fed another reason to whittle down rates at a measured pace.
In recent months, Fed policymakers have said they were drawing closer to reducing the fed funds rate now that risks to their mandates of stable prices and maximum employment have become more balanced. Some forecasters have said the rate already should be at a “neutral” level of less than 4% – which theoretically would neither spur nor slow the economy – and the Fed was behind the curve.
The Fed lifts rates to curb borrowing and economic activity to bring down inflation. It lowers rates to stimulate the economy and stave off, or propel the nation from, recession.
Most observers expected the Federal Reserve would finally cut its prime interest rate if inflation dropped closer to its 2% target.
We’re about to find out if they were right.
U.S. inflation eased further last month as year-over-year price increases reached a three-year low. That means the Fed may cut its rate after having raised it 11 times since early 2022.
The Labor Department said Wednesday consumer prices rose 2.5% in August from a year earlier, down from 2.9% in July. That’s the fifth straight drop and the smallest since February 2021. From July to August, prices rose just 0.2%.
Excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called core prices rose 3.2% in August from a year ago, the same as in July, according to a report from The Associated Press. On a month-to-month basis, core prices rose 0.3%, a slight pickup from July’s 0.2% increase. Economists closely watch core prices, which typically provide a better read of future inflation trends.
“Today’s report will add to confidence within the Fed that inflation is indeed on a sustainable path towards 2%,” the Fed’s target level, Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics, wrote in a note to clients, according to the AP.
For months, cooling inflation has provided gradual relief to America’s consumers, who were stung by the price surges that erupted three years ago, particularly for food, gas, rent and other necessities. Inflation peaked in mid-2022 at 9.1%, the highest rate in four decades.
And Americans’ paychecks have risen steadily for the past three years. Overall incomes have even outpaced inflation for roughly the past 18 months, helping more households handle elevated prices. On Tuesday, the Census Bureau reported that the median inflation-adjusted household income rose 4% last year to above $80,000, essentially matching the 2019 peak.
A key reason for last month’s drop in overall inflation was the third drop in gas prices in the past four months. Average gas prices fell 0.6% from July to August and are down 10.6% from a year ago, the AP reported. And used cars fell 1% last month. Measured from a year earlier, used car prices have tumbled 10.4%.
Grocery prices were unchanged from July to August, extending a cool-down in food costs even though they remain much higher than they were three years ago. Over the past year, grocery prices have ticked up just 0.9%, similar to the pace of pre-pandemic food inflation.
Fed officials have hinted that they’re increasingly confident that inflation is falling back to their 2% target and are now shifting their focus to supporting the job market, which is steadily cooling. As a result, they are poised to begin cutting their benchmark interest rate next week from its 23-year high in hopes of bolstering growth and hiring.
When the Fed meets Sept. 15, a modest quarter-point cut is widely expected.
A number of trends suggest that inflation will keep slowing, the AP reported. Those signs include a drop in oil prices to roughly $67 a barrel early Wednesday, down from a high of $80 last month.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted in an August speech that inflation was coming under control and suggested that the job market was unlikely to be a source of inflationary pressure.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking they said will increase tax fairness and address significant corporate tax avoidance by some of the largest and most profitable U.S. corporations by implementing the Inflation Reduction Act’s Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax.
CAMT is a key plank of President Biden and Vice President Harris’s agenda to make the biggest corporations and wealthiest pay their fair share, while cutting taxes for working Americans and middle-class families and supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Treasury estimates that around 100 of the largest and most profitable companies will pay the CAMT annually. These corporations would have otherwise paid an average effective federal tax rate of 2.6%.
An estimated 60% of CAMT payers would otherwise have paid an effective tax rate of less than 1%, including 25% of payers that would have paid an effective tax rate of zero.
That’s because some of the largest and most profitable corporations in the country use tax preferences and aggressive planning strategies to pay little to no taxes, Treasury officials said in a release posted to the department’s website.
These corporations report record profits to shareholders while often paying lower tax rates than nurses, firefighters, police officers, and teachers. Their ability to use complex strategies to avoid tax also gives them an unfair competitive advantage over small businesses, which don’t have access to the same tax planning techniques and high-paid lawyers and accountants, officials said.
The CAMT helps level the playing field for small businesses by imposing a minimum tax on the profits that the largest corporations report to their shareholders.
The CAMT only applies to large corporations that average more than $1 billion in profit per year, not $1 billion in sales. In addition, if these corporations pay regular taxes that equal or exceed 15% of their adjusted profits, they would pay no additional tax. CAMT is designed as a backstop to ensure there are not years where the most profitable corporations in the world are paying minimal taxes.
“The proposed rules released by Treasury today are an important step toward realizing Congress’ efforts to address the most egregious U.S. corporate tax avoidance and ensure the largest and most profitable corporations in the country cannot pay little to no taxes,” said U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen. “The Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax will also help level the playing field for small businesses while generating hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue.”
The guidance is a proposed rule. All stakeholders will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed regulations by Dec. 12, and may request to speak at the public hearing on the proposed regulations scheduled for Jan. 16.
NEW YORK – General Motors and Hyundai Motor Company have signed an agreement to explore future collaboration across key strategic areas.
GM and Hyundai will look for ways to leverage their complementary scale and strengths to reduce costs and bring a wider range of vehicles and technologies to customers faster.
Potential collaboration projects center on co-development and production of passenger and commercial vehicles, internal combustion engines and clean-energy, electric and hydrogen technologies.
The two leading global OEMs also will review opportunities for combined sourcing in battery raw materials, steel and other areas.
The framework agreement was signed by Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung and GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra.
Barra said a partnership between the two companies has the potential to make vehicle development more efficient by driving greater scale and supporting disciplined capital allocation.
“GM and Hyundai have complementary strengths and talented teams. Our goal is to unlock the scale and creativity of both companies to deliver even more competitive vehicles to customers faster and more efficiently,” said Barra.
Hyundai and GM’s flexibility and agility will allow both companies to explore the development of their shared capabilities.
“This partnership will enable Hyundai Motor and GM to evaluate opportunities to enhance competitiveness in key markets and vehicle segments, as well as drive cost efficiencies and provide stronger customer value through our combined expertise and innovative technologies,” said Chung.
Following the signing of the non-binding Memorandum of Understanding, assessment of opportunities and progression towards binding agreements will begin immediately.
Payrolls registered a decent monthly increase in August, but downward revisions make the trend of job growth look considerably weaker than when July’s jobs report was released. Employers added a net 142,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in August, below the 165,000 consensus forecast. August was better than the 114,000 monthly increase in last month’s report, but that increase was revised down to 89,000 in the latest data, and June was revised down, too, to 118,000 from 179,000.
Factoring in those revisions, payroll growth averaged a modest 116,000 in the three months through August, down from a 170,000 three-month average in last month’s report. And over the last 12 months, payrolls averaged a 157,000 monthly increase after accounting for the 818,000 downward revision to employment in March 2024 which was announced in mid-August (The annual preliminary benchmark revision). The conventional wisdom is that one bad report doesn’t change the trend. But in this case, the trend is clearly weaker than in the prior report.
The unemployment rate edged down to 4.2% in August from 4.3% in July, which was the highest since late 2021. The unemployment rate for Asian Americans rose to 4.1% from 3.7%. For Black or African Americans it pulled back to 6.1% from 6.3%. For Hispanic or Latino Americans, it rose to 5.5% from 5.3%. The unemployment rate for White Americans was unchanged at 3.8%.
While the unemployment rate edged lower on the month in August, its trend is higher, and that is concerning. August and July’s jobs reports both triggered the Sahm Rule, former Fed economist Claudia Sahm’s observation that when the unemployment rate’s 3-month moving average rises half a percent or more relative to its minimum over the previous 12 months, the economy has historically been in recession. This insight is powerful because economic data often show the economy doing better than it actually is during the early stages of a slowdown, only to be revised weaker later. The downward revisions to payrolls data announced over the last month could be an example of this.
With concerns noted, mid-2024 is likely an exception to the Sahm Rule, with the economic expansion continuing despite a rising unemployment rate (Dr. Sahm thinks so too). The recent uptick in the unemployment rate in part reflects rising labor force participation. The participation rate for workers ages 25 to 54 was 83.9% in August and 84.0% in July, the two highest months since early 2001. Also, increased immigration in the last few years is adding to growth of the labor force. Aside from the job market data, recent business and consumer surveys and reports on consumer spending point to an economy that is slowing but still in an expansion, not in recession.
Jobs report details on aggregate hours and earnings also point to a continued economic expansion. The average workweek lengthened to 34.3 hours from 34.2 in July. Average hourly earnings rose 0.4% on the month and 3.8% on the year, up from 3.6% in July and tying June. Annual wage growth in the last three months was the slowest since mid-2021. With modest job growth and a slightly longer workweek, aggregate hours worked on U.S. payrolls rose 0.1% on the month and 1.2% on the year. Aggregate payrolls rose 0.4% on the month and 5.3% on the year, handily outpacing CPI inflation which likely ran about 2.6% in August (The August report is not out yet).
In sum, the job market is in decent shape but moving in the wrong direction. Job growth is lagging behind growth of the labor force, fueling an increase in unemployment.
The Fed will see the August jobs report as strengthening the case for less restrictive monetary policy. The Fed’s June dot plot showed most Fed policymakers thought it likely would be appropriate to cut rates by one quarter to one half a percentage point by year-end, but that projection is badly out of date now. At the next policy decision on September 18, the Fed looks slightly more likely to cut interest rates by a quarter percent than by a half percent, but it will be a close call.
Comerica forecasts for the Fed to cut short-term interest rates a full percentage point between now and the end of January. That should boost credit-intensive parts of the economy like housing, manufacturing, and business investment, stabilize job growth, and prevent the current slowdown from deepening.
Bill Adams is a senior vice president and chief economist at Comerica. Waran Bhahirethan is a vice president and senior economist at Comerica.
ROSEMEAD, Calif. — Ford Motor Company electric vehicle owners and lessees in Southern California Edison’s service area now have the option to be compensated for assisting the electric grid during peak periods of energy demand. Ford is the first major U.S. automaker to facilitate customer participation in SCE’s Emergency Load Reduction Program, one of the utility’s ongoing efforts to enhance grid resilience that also advances vehicle grid integration.
Ford’s support of the ELRP (through Olivine, Inc., which administers distributed energy resources) demonstrates the growing importance of coordinated actions by the automotive industry and utility companies to support grid resiliency as millions of electric vehicles enter the U.S. market. Ford is offering electric vehicle customers participation in ELRP through its California Power Response program.
California Power Response will take advantage of Ford’s managed charging solution and is expected to provide a valuable source of load reduction in times of peak demand, which benefits the grid — and customers — while paving the way for future innovations in energy management and grid interaction. Electric vehicle drivers in Ford’s California Power Response program will earn $1 per kWh of energy reduced during peak grid events, creating financial incentives never before possible with gas-powered vehicles.
“The future of the two-way grid is now. The electric industry has been preparing infrastructure and systems to take advantage of vehicle-to-grid integration, and a lot of hard work on all sides is now making that a reality,” said Steve Powell, president and CEO of SCE. “Ford’s support of the ELRP will show how EVs can make the grid more resilient. The ELRP incentivizes EV drivers to send power from their car battery to the grid when it is needed most.”
“Becoming the first U.S. automaker to participate in the ELRP program through Ford’s California Power Response program is another example of Ford maximizing every benefit possible for our electric vehicle customers,” said Bill Crider, senior director, global charging and energy services, Ford Motor Company. “Electric vehicles can deliver cost savings through incentives provided by leading utilities such as Southern California Edison, and current vehicle-to-home and near-future vehicle-to-grid services open even more benefits to customers, the electric grid and communities at large.”
Ford and SCE are working with Olivine as the formal participant in the VGI component of the ELRP. Olivine’s role is pivotal to managing the seamless integration of EV charging into the ELRP, allowing for real-time adjustments and optimized charging strategies that align with grid needs.
“Olivine is proud of our long history of empowering consumers to align with grid needs. Our partnership with Ford is an exciting illustration of what can be accomplished when we work toward the future together,” said Beth Reid, CEO of Olivine.
As VGI technologies mature, SCE will continue prioritizing customer needs through ongoing collaboration with vehicle manufacturers, charging station providers and VGI aggregators. For more information on SCE’s Emergency Load Reduction Program and how businesses and residents can participate, please visit elrp.sce.com- link opens in new window.
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits inched up a little last week, although they remain historically low.
The Labor Department reported that jobless claims rose to 230,000 for the week of Sept. 7, an increase of 2,000 over the previous week.
The four-week average of claims, which smooths out some of week-to-week volatility, to 230,750, a rise of just 500.
The total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits rose by a modest 5,000, remaining in the neighborhood of 1.85 million for the week of Aug. 31.
During the first four months of 2024, claims averaged 213,000 a week, though they started rising in May, the Associated Press reported, reaching 250,000 in late July.
Employers added a modest 142,000 jobs in August, up from a paltry 89,000 in July, but well below the January-June monthly average of nearly 218,000, according to the AP report.
Last month, the Labor Department reported that the U.S. economy added 818,000 fewer jobs from April 2023 through March this year than were originally reported. The revised total supports evidence that the job market has been slowing steadily and reinforces the Fed’s plan to start cutting interest rates later this month.
The Fed, in an attempt to stifle inflation that hit a four-decade high just over two years ago, raised its benchmark interest rate 11 times in 2022 and 2023. That pushed it to a 23-year high, where it has stayed for more than a year.
Simons Michelson Zieve (SMZ), a 360-degree agency providing everything from media to creative to performance marketing, has been selected by The Henry Ford in Dearborn as its agency of record. SMZ will manage a wide variety of services for the multivenue museum, including strategy, brand stewardship, creative and media.
“We are honored to be partnering and collaborating with The Henry Ford, one of the country’s most revered cultural institutions, and proud to have a shared history established in Detroit and sustained for nearly a century,” said Debbie Michelson, vice chair, client director at SMZ. “The Henry Ford has brought innovation, inspiration, imagination, ingenuity, and insight through its initiatives for 95 years and we are very excited to have this opportunity to magnify and share their mission with the world.”
SMZ was selected through a competitive review which highlighted its strategic thinking, along with its fully integrated media and creative capabilities. Additionally, the shared values, loyalty, and longevity of the organizations, both started in 1929, contributed to the decision to partner.
Through the partnership, SMZ will develop strategic campaigns to amplify The Henry Ford’s mission to help shape a better future through unique educational experiences based on authentic objects, stories, and lives from America’s traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness, and innovation.
“For 95 years, SMZ has amplified the mission and brand of businesses, nonprofits and cultural institutions across the country,” said Ellen Hill Zeringue, Vice President of Venues, Programs and Marketing for The Henry Ford. “The mission of this full-service agency clearly parallels that of The Henry Ford and we are thrilled to be working with this team in an effort to introduce this institution and its world-class collections and programs to new audiences.”
TROY, Mich. – Butzel attorney Shanika A. Owens was recently named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2024 “Influential Women of Law” list.
The awards program, previously known as “Women in the Law,” honors women attorneys and judges for their excellent work on behalf of the justice system and for their clients, commitment to their communities and service to the profession. Owens is one of 35 women attorneys who will be honored during a luncheon on September 27 and profiled in an upcoming edition of Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Owens focuses her practice on helping clients navigate mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and real estate law. Her experience includes a wide range of transactions in a variety of industries.
Recently, Owens was named to the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers list for the first time. Earlier this year, she received the Detroit Bar Association’s Pro Bono Service Award.
Owens has been named to The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, Corporate Law and Real Estate Law, 2023 and 2024. She was named to the list of Michigan Lawyers Weekly Up & Coming Lawyers in 2021. She also has been named a Michigan Chronicle 40 under 40 Honoree.
About Butzel
Butzel is one of the leading law firms in Michigan and the United States. It was founded in Detroit in 1854 and has provided trusted client service for 170 years. Butzel’s full-service law offices are located in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Troy and Southwest, Mich.; New York, NY; and, Washington, D.C., as well as global alliance offices. Butzel is an active member of Lex Mundi, a global association of 160 independent law firms. Learn more by visiting www.butzel.com or follow Butzel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/butzel_long
Al Kelly, former chairman and CEO of Visa Inc., has joined GM’s board of directors.
DETROIT – General Motors announced that Alfred F. Kelly, Jr., former chairman and CEO of Visa Inc., has joined its board of directors.
Kelly, 66, served as CEO of Visa from 2016 to 2023 and was elected chairman of the board in 2019. He became executive chairman in 2023, retiring from the board in January 2024.
Kelly led Visa, a world leader in digital payments, through a period of unprecedented technological change, driving significant global growth and positioning the company for long-term leadership in financial and technology services.
“Al Kelly’s incredible financial, tech, and consumer insights are a great complement to GM’s board as we unlock new growth opportunities in electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and software and services,” said Mary Barra, GM Chair and CEO.
“This is an exciting time for GM as it leverages technology to innovate and deliver new experiences for its customers,” said Kelly. “I look forward to serving GM’s shareholders and working with my fellow directors to help the company achieve its vision.”
Prior to Visa, Kelly served in numerous leadership roles, including at American Express, where he was president when he left in 2010, and with the New York-New Jersey Super Bowl Host Committee where he was president and CEO. Kelly also serves as the board chair of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. He is a member of the board of trustees of Boston College, Iona University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Seminary and College. Kelly is also an advisory director at Berkshire Partners.
Including Kelly, GM’s Board now has 13 directors, with experience across manufacturing, information technology, digital commerce, defense, transportation, and cybersecurity, among other fields. Six of GM’s directors are women and 12 are independent.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan (RMHCWM) President & CEO Ellen Carpenter has announced her intention to retire after five years serving the region’s largest hospitality house. She will step down Dec. 31, at which time current chief development officer Salina Bishop will assume the President & CEO title.
Carpenter notified the board recently of her intention to retire at year’s end to ensure adequate time for a seamless transition. Carpenter also recommended Bishop as successor, a recommendation that the board unanimously approved, and Bishop accepted.
“I have loved this position with all its positives and challenges more than any in my career,” said Ellen Carpenter. “It has been a privilege to serve the mission and to support many more families who need access to quality health care. We have gone so far in the last five years with such a great team.”
Bishop, a Certified Fundraising Professional, has served as the organization’s chief development officer since July 2023. She has more than 11 years of professional fundraising experience in the region, including roles at Grand Rapids Symphony, Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation, and Hospice of Michigan. Bishop holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Communication from Grand Valley State University. She serves as a board member at Community Food Club Grand Rapids and is chairperson for the East Grand Rapids Library Commission.
“I am deeply honored for this opportunity to lead Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan,” Bishop said. “Ellen has done a remarkable job in laying a strong foundation in both awareness and relationships. I look forward to building on this legacy and taking our collective impact to new heights, ensuring that every family with a hospitalized child finds comfort, care, and a home away from home at RMHCWM.”.
“Salina has extensive experience in nonprofits and understands the culture needed to be successful. She is a self-motivated, high performer and is recognized by her peers, donors, and volunteers as a leader,” Carpenter noted. “We are so lucky to have such a qualified person on our team!”
A search has begun to fill Bishop’s current role. No other staffing changes are expected as a result of this transition.
Carpenter’s retirement caps off a 42-year career in West Michigan, spanning marketing and sales roles at Amway, Perrigo, Applied Imaging, Felder Communications, Lake Michigan Financial Corporation, and Heart of West Michigan United Way, where she served for nearly seven years before joining RMHCWM. Carpenter had served on RMHCWM’s board for seven years, including Board President, before taking the helm.
Carpenter has seen a lot of change at the hospitality house during that time.
Earlier this year, Carpenter and her team cut the ribbon on a $2.5m project that expanded the home to 25 rooms with eight new family suites. The House now has 25 bedrooms with private baths; two are isolation-equipped, and three are handicap accessible. Although the expansion has helped, the facility is still at capacity most weeks.
“Since our founding over thirty years ago, we’ve helped over 10,000 families at the House,” adds Carpenter. “Unfortunately, due to lack of space, we’ve also had to turn away another 5,000 families. This expansion helped, but there is still an ongoing need as pediatric healthcare grows in our community. I feel the team, its board, and our dedicated supporters will continue rallying around RMH and help it grow with the need. I am grateful for our team and to have played a role in this journey.”
LANSING, Mich – As the Pure Michigan campaign nears its 20th anniversary in just over a year, the team behind the brand is announcing new leadership to steer it into the future.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced Kelly Wolgamott has been named Vice President of Pure Michigan. Wolgamott has served as interim Vice President since January. Additionally, Carrie Jones Grace will join the MEDC as the Senior Vice President of Travel, Media and Industry Relations, coming to the MEDC most recently from the city of Detroit.
Wolgamott joined MEDC and Travel Michigan in 2011 and served as Director of Travel Marketing for more than 12 years. Prior to joining MEDC, Wolgamott served in marketing and public relations roles with General Motors and advertising agency Leo Burnett Worldwide.
As Vice President of Pure Michigan, she will lead the state’s tourism marketing, branding and public relations efforts, including overseeing the award-winning Pure Michigan campaign and management of the Travel Michigan team at MEDC.
“Kelly’s talents, personal commitment, wealth of industry knowledge and marketing expertise position her to advance Michigan’s efforts to promote our state as the top four-season destination for travelers across the country and around the world,” said MEDC CEO, Quentin L. Messer, Jr. “Carrie’s addition to the MEDC team is part of an intentional effort to ensure that the Travel Michigan team and the Travel Commission are integrated into all aspects of the broader MEDC, as MEDC executes the ‘Make It In Michigan’ economic development strategy focused on attracting and developing People, cultivating and revitalizing Places and competing for and winning Projects. The tourism and hospitality industry is important across all three pillars. Carrie’s new role will enable MEDC to deliver even greater stakeholder engagement and position our state for continuing success over the next twenty years.”
As Senior Vice President of Travel, Media and Industry Relations, Jones Grace will oversee the Travel Michigan team, along with the Michigan Film Office and MEDC Communications team. For more than five years, Jones Grace has worked for the city of Detroit, most recently serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Mike Duggan where she oversaw daily operations of the Mayor’s Office, including citywide initiatives such as Project Clean Slate and the Detroit Promise Scholarship Program.
Prior to joining the city, Jones Grace was the Executive Director of the Michigan Venture Capital Association, where she worked with 115 member organizations focused on marketing Michigan’s growing role as a center of innovation and entrepreneurship. She also previously served as the Michigan Film Commissioner and Director, ensuring Michigan’s creative industry supported the state economy by encouraging high wages, high-tech jobs and talent retention.
“Kelly’s stewardship of the Pure Michigan brand for more than a decade has helped it grow into a key pillar in Michigan’s efforts to grow our economy and attract new visitors and residents to Michigan,” said Hilary Doe, Michigan’s Chief Growth & Marketing Officer. “We’re excited to also bring additional firepower to the table by welcoming Carrie to the team to bolster our ability to support industry partners with more consistent stakeholder engagement in the legislature, media and across state government. Together, we’ll continue demonstrating how the travel industry and talent attraction go hand-in-hand to grow our population and build a brighter future for our state.”
As the state pursues economic and population growth, travel and tourism has never been more important. Data demonstrates the industry continues delivering broad economic impacts, with research conducted by Longwoods International showing that in 2023 the Pure Michigan campaign significantly lifted Michigan’s reputation in primary out-of-state markets as a place to live, work, and study. Further, people visiting Michigan who are aware of the Pure Michigan campaign are even more likely to rate Michigan highly as a place to invest their time, careers, and futures.
Tourism is a key driver of economic growth in Michigan, with 125 million visitors spending $27.3 billion in communities and destinations across the state in 2022, resulting in a total economic impact of $48.5 billion, according to an independent study by Tourism Economics. In 2023, the Pure Michigan campaign was directly responsible for 1.5 million visitor trips, resulting in $2.5 billion in visitor spending which generated $156 million in state tax revenue, according to research conducted by SMARInsights.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., August 19, 2024 — Rockford Construction, a nationally recognized construction, real estate development and property management firm, named Jessica Eberbach to serve as director of property management.
Eberbach’s expertise in aligning business strategies with effective people operations spans more than two decades, particularly in the multi-family industry. At her previous role, Eberbach oversaw a region spanning four states, managing 19 properties with over 5,000 units and leading four regional managers. Her responsibilities included assisting in business plan development, financial performance monitoring and proactive improvement strategies. Her leadership was instrumental in driving operational excellence and financial performance across her portfolio.
In her new role at Rockford, Eberbach will lead the property management team, ensuring efficient, hospitality-driven service to current clients while actively seeking new business opportunities. She’ll work closely with Rockford’s operations and accounting teams to provide top-tier service for tenants and stakeholders alike.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jessica to our team,” said Monica Steimle-App, Rockford’s senior vice president. “Her entrepreneurial mindset and big-picture thinking is what we seek in leadership for our team. And her experience and strategic approach to property management will be invaluable as we continue to grow and provide exceptional service to our community.”
Eberbach is actively involved in professional associations, serving as a board member for the Property Management Association of Michigan and board member for the Property Management Association of West Michigan. Her deep understanding of Grand Rapids’ values and businesses positions her to shine in her new role at Rockford Construction.
Eberbach is a Certified Apartment Manager (NAA) and has been recognized with several awards, including the PMAM Leadership Lyceum Eagle in 2019 and multiple Property of the Year awards.
Gift of Life Marrow Registry announced the appointment of Yen-Michael Hsu, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, CABP as Co-Chief Medical Officer.
Hsu’s medical oversight includes the activities of the Gift of Life Center for Cell and Gene Therapy and Gift of Life-NMDP Collection Center. He will also serve as Medical Affairs Director of Gift of Life Biologics.
Hsu joins Co-Chief Medical Officer Bruce Lenes, M.D., who has overseen Gift of Life’s medical and laboratory functions for many years. Together, their leadership positions the organization for continued growth and innovation in the field of cellular therapy and stem cell donation.
“We are proud to have Dr. Hsu on the team as a member of executive management,” said Gift of Life Marrow Registry Founder and CEO Jay Feinberg. “He will add to Gift of Life’s mission by leveraging his extensive background in cellular therapy to advance research, support next generation therapies, enhance the donor experience and improve patient outcomes.”
Before joining Gift of Life, Hsu served as an Associate Professor of Medicine and directed both the Adult HSC Laboratory and the cGMP cellular therapy production facility at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Pennsylvania, which is among the largest cellular therapy operations in the nation. Prior to this, he was the Chief of Cellular Therapy at New York Presbyterian Hospital – Weill Cornell Medical Center and the inaugural Medical Director of its cGMP cellular therapy facility.
Hsu has authored over 45 scientific publications and secured more than 15 external research grants in cellular therapy and blood transfusion. Recognized globally as an expert in cellular therapy, he has delivered over 35 invited podium presentations at professional society conferences.
“Cellular starting material is one of the most crucial elements in the life cycle of the current life-saving and innovative cellular/gene therapy,” Hsu said. “The procurement of high-quality human hematopoietic stem cells and immune effector cells will ensure their maximum treatment efficacy and safety for the vulnerable patients in needs. Gift of Life has the entire supply chain and the perfect one-stop shop to deliver the second chance in life for patients with hematologic malignancies. It is absolutely my privilege to join the organization’s incredible mission of curing blood cancer through cellular therapy.”
Hsu earned his M.D. from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, his Ph.D. from MD Anderson Cancer Center, and executive MBA in Healthcare from the University of Pittsburgh. As a board-certified pathologist and transfusion medicine physician, Hsu is an active inspector for both the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). He is also certified as an Advanced Biotherapy Professional by the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB).
Hsu is originally from Taiwan, Republic of China, and became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 2000. He speaks both English and Mandarin. He recently re-located to Boca Raton, Fla., with his wife and two children.
New Detroit Inc., the nation’s first racial justice coalition that works toward racial equity and dismantling systemic racism, has announced its third annual Just Lead: Advancing Racial Equity conference will take place October 17 at the Icon in Detroit. Registration is open.
The conference will feature New Detroit’s inaugural recognition of its “Just Lead: Racial Equity Leadership Award” winners and present speakers from throughout Michigan sharing compelling perspectives on various equity topics:
Just Care® – Advancing Equity in Healthcare. Leading physicians from area hospitals will join New Detroit’s Rebecca Irby to share their experience from New Detroit’s Just Care program designed to improve health outcomes for people of color.
Just Place® – Advancing Equity in Detroit Parks. Detroit Parks Coalition executives will join New Detroit’s Marshalle Favors in a discussion on improving the city park experience for all residents.
Just Lead: The Transformational Framework for Collective Action–The Philanthropic Experience. Presidents and CEOs from some of Michigan’s largest philanthropic organizations: The Children’s Foundation; Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation; the Skillman Foundation; and United Way for Southeastern Michigan, will share their philanthropic experiences and ideas on collaborating to advance racial equity. Angelique Power, President & CEO of the Skillman Foundation, will moderate this and the following session.
Just Lead: The Transformational Framework for Collective Action – The Corporate Experience: Bank of America Senior Vice President Star Crawford and Marnita Harris, Vice President, Detroit Regional Chamber and Freda Sampson, principal of Freda G. Sampson LLC, will discuss their experience transforming corporations to advance racial equity.
For more information and to register, visit https://www.newdetroit.org/2024-racial-equity-forum/
