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BCBSM Names Keith to Replace Retiring Loepp as CEO

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Press Release
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Dan Loepp (left) Tricia A. Keith (right)

DETROIT – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s Board of Directors on Wednesday appointed Tricia A. Keith as president and CEO-Elect.

Keith, 53, will succeed Daniel J. Loepp as president and CEO following his retirement Jan. 1. She will become the company’s first female chief executive and only the third president and CEO to lead the Blue Cross enterprise in the last 40 years.

Keith currently serves as executive vice president, chief operating officer and president of Emerging Markets for BCBSM. She has been with the company, holding several senior executive roles, since 2006.

In 2012, she became the first woman in the 40-year history of the National Management Association to be recognized with the organization’s Executive of the Year award.

“After a six-month search, and thoughtful consideration of highly qualified candidates, the Board is proud to appoint (Keith) to serve as our company’s next president and CEO,” said Gregory A. Sudderth, chairman of the BCBSM Board. “No one is more ready to lead our great company into the future. (Keith) is a Michigan native whose depth of knowledge and experience, broad and accomplished track record of executive leadership and abiding commitment to Blue Cross’ mission make her the clear choice to take our company forward in service to our members and communities.”

Loepp will retire as the longest-serving chief executive in the company’s history. Among his many achievements during his more than two decades of leadership at BCBSM, Loepp transformed the company from a large single-state health insurance plan to a diversified multi-company enterprise of national scale.

“Transformational is the word that best describes Dan Loepp’s legacy of leadership over more than 20 years,” Sudderth said. “We have had two great leaders in the last 40 years – and now we are adding a third. Dick Whitmer restored our company’s financial strength and integrity during a time of trouble. Dan Loepp transformed the company to succeed in this century. Now, Tricia Keith will provide the energy and vision to accelerate our success into the future.”

Keith, who has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Michigan University and an MBA from Michigan State University, said there are “powerful forces of change impacting health care at this moment,” including among them technology, drug and medical cost growth, industry consolidation and others.

“The role that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan plays as a champion of our members’ health, and the affordability of their coverage and care, puts enormous responsibility on the shoulders of our company’s CEO,” she said. “I am humbled by the board’s confidence, and I’m excited and honored to assume this responsibility in January.”

“Our company, our thousands of employees and our millions of health insurance members in Michigan and around the nation will be in the best of hands with Tricia Keith,” Mr. Loepp said. “She has the energy, experience, and innovative spirit our company needs as health care continues to change. She is the right leader at the right time for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.”

Ford Names Lawler Vice Chair, Expands Role; House Set to Become CFO

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Press Release
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John Lawler

DEARBORN – Ford Motor Company announced senior leadership moves designed to build on significant progress against its Ford+ plan and speed profitable growth through a more resilient business.

John Lawler, Ford’s CFO since October 2020, will initially continue in that role while also becoming vice chair, a position in which he will lead the company in areas critical to its long-term success.

Sherry House

Additionally, Sherry House, who most recently was CFO at electric vehicle maker Lucid Motors, is joining Ford as vice president, Finance, part of a plan to succeed Lawler as CFO in early 2025. In the meantime, she will oversee financial planning and analysis as well as the finance organizations for the company’s automotive businesses: Ford Blue, Ford Pro and Ford Model e.

Both assignments are effective in early June.

As vice chair, Lawler will focus on:

  • The next phase of Ford’s strategic development, including important choices across technologies, markets, alliances and segments
  • All current and future global partnerships, which are increasingly vital to Ford’s customer insight, technological capabilities and competitiveness, and
  • Engagement with global leaders as vice chair, including in China, Southeast Asia and Europe, to advance industry-critical policy in areas vital to Ford’s strategic and commercial imperatives

“The progress we’re achieving with Ford+ enables us to make these moves and drive a new level of strategic focus and execution,” Ford President and CEO Jim Farley said. “John is an outstanding strategic business leader and can leverage his talent and global experience to help Ford compete and win in this fast-changing and extremely competitive environment.”

“At the same time, Sherry adds an important leadership dimension to Ford as we urgently build a profitable EV business, generate new and recurring revenue streams, and create a more dynamic and resilient company,” Farley added. “Sherry combines deep roots and a passion for the auto industry with real-world experience in investment banking, mobility and technology, including EVs and autonomy.”

Lawler’s vice chair assignment will take advantage of an organizationally and geographically expansive Ford career. Among past assignments, he spent nearly four years as president of Ford China during a period of record in-country performance; oversaw Ford’s autonomous vehicles business and mobility partnerships; was controller and CFO of global markets; and served in Ford of Europe.

“I’m honored to take on this broader role, working with Jim to advance our global strategy and bringing my experience, knowledge and relationships to bear through Ford+,” Lawler said. “This is a great challenge with great possibilities and I’m eager to get after it.”

In joining Ford, House is returning to her home state and where she began her career in a now rapidly changing auto industry – something she’s influenced directly.

“I’m delighted to join such an iconic company at this exciting and important time for Ford and the industry,” House said. “In my career, I have been fortunate to work as an executive, an advisor and an investor across the automotive and technology sectors, and in venture capital and startups. I look forward to working with Ford’s world-class team and to applying the breadth of my experience to help Ford compete and win.”

House served as CFO at Lucid Motors for nearly three years until last December, a period in which the company went public, started producing and delivering its luxury EVs, and opened manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Prior to joining Lucid, she held several senior leadership positions at Waymo, the California-based autonomous-driving technology company, including as treasurer and, at different times, head of investor relations, corporate development and corporate finance.

Earlier, House spent a decade working in venture capital, private equity and investment banking. She served two tenures at General Motors, first in product engineering, then corporate development and strategy, accounting, venture capital, and business planning and analysis.

House holds master’s degrees in business administration and manufacturing engineering from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and bachelor of science degrees in mechanical and industrial engineering from Kettering University in Flint, Mich. In 2022, she was named an Industry Influencer by the Automotive Hall of Fame.

Great Lakes Women’s Council Earns National SBA Award

By
Brad Kadrich
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Great Lakes Women’s Business Council’s Director of Business Education Shawntay LaNesha Dixon (right) receives the Women’s Business Center of Excellence award from the U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman (center) at ceremony held in Washington D.C. to mark National Small Business Week.

The three-person Women’s Business Center team with the Great Lakes Women’s Council isn’t a big one, but it’s a good one.

Any doubt of that was erased at a recent ceremony in Washington, D.C., marking National Small Business Week, when the GLWC was named

Women’s Business Center of Excellence by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

At the event, four Resource Partners were honored from across the nation.  Director of Business Education Shawntay LaNesha Dixon represented the GLWC and was lauded by the SBA for her work in development and with implementing business development programs.

“Under Shawntay’s leadership, the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council has been recognized as the Women’s Business Center of Excellence by the Association of Women’s Business Centers, a national SBA resource partner. They were also recognized by the SBA Michigan District as a Women’s Business Center of Excellence,” the SBA said in conferring the honor.

The Council has also been named as a Regional Women’s Business Center of Excellence.

“The award is a testament to the women’s businesses we serve and the impact we’re making with them,” Dixon said. “It’s a total team effort. Our WBC is small, so being able to make the impact really speaks well of the work our team does.”

The SBA noted that Dixon has also distinguished herself by “helping women entrepreneurs, representing their voices on Capitol Hill on multiple occasions, and sharing the impact women make on the economy and in their communities.”

Great Lakes WBC Executive Director Michelle Richards said the award is encouraging as the Council celebrates 40 years of developing women- and minority-owned businesses.

“With extraordinary professionals like Shawntay, we have been able to see the entrepreneurs we work with excel,” Richards said. “For example, Michigan’s Small Business Person of the Year, Tiffany Klingensmith, is one of our success stories. Her Unconventional Solutions makes composite repairs and applies protective coatings to safeguard industrial machinery.”

Dixon wrapped up National Small Business Week by announcing the launch of a new initiative of the Council’s Women’s Business Center, that started a cohort this spring, called LaunchU. The program helps early stage entrepreneurs turn their visions into reality.

“By providing support to early-stage businesses, we’re not only nurturing their growth but also fostering a more inclusive and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem,” she said.

Dixon is a Certified Workforce Development Professional and a Certified Human Behavior Consultant. Her 20-plus year career as a leader in business and workforce development includes experience as a program manager, director of entrepreneurship, business trainer and coach.

While acknowledging the prestigious award was welcome, Dixon was quick to point out the team doesn’t do what it does in order to gain recognition.

“To receive the highest honor among 160 organizations is obviously a great honor,” Dixon said. “We don’t do the work we do for awards, but to be recognized by your peers is very gratifying.”

Gardner White, Ronald McDonald House Partner to Provide ‘Breakfast in Bed’ to Moms for Mother’s Day

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Press Release
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Gardner White and Ronald McDonald House Charities Ann Arbor (RMHCAA) marked Mother’s Day in a special way this year by providing a “Breakfast in Bed” experience on Friday, May 10, for all mothers and families staying at RMHCAA.

Gardner White executives including CEO Rachel Stewart, her mother, Barbara Tronstein, Executive Chair, Gardner White, Kim Kelly, CEO, RMHCAA, and RMHCAA board member volunteers including Luanne Thomas Ewald, COO, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital, delivered specially prepared breakfasts to moms and families in their rooms and in the House kitchen for guests to enjoy as a community.

Additionally, RMHCAA unveiled a newly renovated living room space at their Main House with all new furnishings, donated by Gardner White.

“We are very excited to have Gardner White as a partner for this thoughtful gesture for our moms. Celebrating Mother’s Day as a mom caring for a hospitalized child can be difficult in many ways. We are hoping to bring a small, bright spot to their day with a delicious meal that provides a gentle reminder of how special each of our moms are,” said Kim Kelly, RMHCAA CEO. “In addition, the newly renovated living room space will provide our families with a more usable, community-friendly space for all to enjoy.”

“We are proud to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities Ann Arbor, a wonderful organization helping countless families and children in our community,” said Rachel Stewart, CEO of Gardner White. “As a family-owned company, we appreciate the extraordinary role that mothers play in the family and beyond. We hope that this special morning and newly renovated living room space will provide moms and families some comfort during their time away from home.”

Along with the breakfast and furnishings, Gardner White has also provided RMHCAA with a match donation gift to be used to support fundraising for RMHCAA’s Home Run for the House event on June 15th. Funds raised between now and May 12th will be matched up to $2500 thanks to Gardner White’s gift. To learn more, visit www.rmhcannarbor.org/homerun.

TNG Worldwide Sponsors Entrepreneurial E-Pitch Competition

By
Brad Kadrich
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Larry Gaynor has spent more than 50 years building his successful career as an entrepreneur.

Now Gaynor, the CEO of TNG Worldwide, which manufactures and distributes more than 1,000 health and beauty products around the world, is offering potential new entrepreneurs in Michigan the opportunity to embark on the same journey.

TNG is sponsoring what Gaynor says is the biggest pitch competition in the country. TNG’s “Take a Chance” entrepreneurial pitch competition is aimed at E-pitches and is offering $251,000 in prizes.

The competition takes place in six categories, with each category carrying a $20,000 first prize and a $5,000 award to the runner-up. An additional $101,000 will go to an overall grand-prize winner.

“We want to create entrepreneurship in Michigan,” Gaynor said. “We need new businesses. Small business drives growth, small business drives employment, and it drives innovation and excitement. It’s my way of giving back to building and supporting entrepreneurs in Michigan.

Participants can enter in six categories:

  • AI and Immersive Reality
  • Entertainment, Media and Content
  • Nutrition, Wellness and Healthcare
  • Next-Generation Workforce Solutions
  • Urban Innovation, Transportation and Sustainable Solutions
  • Emerging Student-Led Venture

Gaynor said he’s hoping to attract 200-300 entrants, though he notes it won’t be an easy competition. Like they would in applying for a  bank loan, entras must fill out an application and show they have what it takes to get in.

“People think free money is easy, but it’s not,” Gaynor said. “You don’t go into a bank and walk out with $100,000 without putting up a lot of collateral. In this competition, you have to fill out an application and qualify.

“You have to have a real business plan and a product or service to offer,” he added. “If you have a good pitch, and you’re confident and you’ve got the business plan and the idea – that’s what this is all about.”

Gaynor is putting all of his experience into this competition just a few months after publishing his book, “Take a Chance!: 101 Entrepreneurial Lessons for Making It Big.”

He decided to write the book while on vacation, and started writing in January 2023. By December it was available for pre-order on Amazon, where it’s a best-seller.

“I had just finished reading Stephen King’s fairy tale book — he’s one of my favorite authors — and I said, ‘I’m going to write a book.’” he said. “It’s 50-plus years about my life. I started working in Detroit in my grandfather’s hardware store, going from retail to being a wholesale distributor for beauty products to being a manufacturer of health and beauty care products. Along the way there are 101 life lessons that appeal to readers.”

For now his focus is on the pitch competition. Judges include Deanna Neeley, found and CEO of Detroit Voltage; Josh Linkner, entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling author; Danny Beckett, Jr., partner at Entrepreneur Venture; Jenny Feterovich, TV and film producer; Larry Brhnker Jr., president and CEO of Brinker; and Marcel Badia, founder and CEO of Preneurgrowth.

For more information on the competition or to submit an application, visit www.takeachance.biz. Deadline for applications is May 31. The Take a Chance Competition occurs Sept. 6 at the Gem Theater in Detroit.

Ascension Says Cyberattack Disrupts Clinical Operations

By
Brad Kadrich
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Officials at Ascension, a St. Louis-based, non-profit Catholic health system with facilities in 19 states and the District of Columbia, said Thursday they believe the system was the victim of computer hackers.

In a statement posted to Ascension’s website Thursday, the company said they “detected unusual activity on select technology network systems, which we now believe is due to a cyber security event.”

“At this time we continue to investigate the situation,” the statement read. “We responded immediately, initiated our investigation and activated our remediation efforts. Access to some systems has been interrupted as this process continues.”

While not saying how many patients had been affected, the company acknowledged there has been a disruption to clinical operations and “continues to assess” the impact of that disruption.

“Our care teams are trained for these kinds of disruptions and have initiated procedures to ensure patient care delivery continues to be safe and as minimally impacted as possible,” officials said in the statement.

GM Ending Production of Malibu to Focus on Bolt EV

By
Brad Kadrich
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2018 Chevrolet Malibu

It’s 60 and out for the Chevy Malibu.

After 60 years, General Motors announced it will end production this year of the last sedan still sold by Chevrolet.

The world’s largest automaker announced production of the Malibu will end in November. The factory that produces it, the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kansas, is being reconfigured to build a new generation of the Chevrolet Bolt EV, the company said.

That means GM’s Chevrolet brand will sell only trucks, SUVs, and the Corvette, a two-seat sports car, in the United States, according to a report on CNN.

Chevy’s close competitor, Ford, made a similar move years ago when it stopped selling the Taurus and Fusion sedans, leaving the two-door Mustang as the only traditional car in its line-up, according to the network, which also said Chevrolet stopped making its Mustang competitor, the Camaro, last year.

Uber Eats to Power Restaurant Delivery on Instacart

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Press Release
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SAN FRANCISCO – Instacart and Uber Technologies, Inc. announced a strategic partnership to bring Uber Eats restaurant delivery to Instacart customers.

In the coming weeks, Instacart customers nationwide will be able to use the Instacart app to order from hundreds of thousands of restaurants, powered by Uber Eats.

The experience will be featured through a new “Restaurants” tab in the Instacart app, providing a user-friendly interface that allows consumers to choose from a selection of nearby restaurants, browse menus, place orders, and track deliveries in real-time.

Customers will be able to order groceries for the week from Instacart’s more than 1,500 national, regional, and local retail banners across more than 85,000 stores – all fulfilled by Instacart and its shopper community – as well as dinner for the night from hundreds of thousands of restaurants, which will be fulfilled by Uber Eats and the couriers on its platform. Instacart+ members will also get even more value from their membership at no additional cost, with $0 delivery on grocery and restaurant orders over $35.

“Our goal is to make it effortless for people to go anywhere and get anything,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber. “We’re excited that this new strategic partnership with Instacart will bring the magic of Uber Eats to even more consumers, drive more business for restaurants, and create more earnings opportunities for couriers.”

“Through this partnership, Instacart customers now have access to both the best online grocery selection in the U.S. and restaurant delivery, making it even easier for them to conveniently tackle all their food needs from a single app,” said Fidji Simo, CEO and Chair of Instacart. “Whether it’s ingredients for a beloved family recipe, a prepared meal from a nearby grocer or takeout from a favorite restaurant – customers can now get the food they want, from the retailers and restaurants they love, all within the Instacart app.”

For Uber, powering restaurant delivery in the Instacart app is another way to help drive more orders to Uber Eats restaurant partners. This new channel also enables Uber to extend its leading restaurant selection to millions of customers across the U.S., including families in suburban markets that use Instacart.

This partnership also extends the efforts of both companies to create technologies and solutions that support brick-and-mortar businesses. Through this launch, Uber and Instacart are helping restaurants and retailers grow by increasing opportunities for them to reach new customers online and drive more sales through an even more engaging Instacart experience.

Treasury Department’s Monthly Statement Could Provide Key Data

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Press Release
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The U.S. Treasury Department’s Monthly Treasury Statement for April will be the most important release in a light week for economic data. Fiscal receipts usually jump in April as Americans submit payments for their annual income tax filings, which swings the fiscal balance to a surplus, even in years when the government runs an annual deficit.

Capital gains tax receipts rose from April 2023, since the stock market did much better in 2023 than in 2022. But daily data indicate the government’s net debt fell less in April 2024 than in April 2023, suggesting expenditures may have risen even more than receipts compared to a year earlier. 

Wholesale sales likely fell in March after a big increase in February, as crude oil production dipped and inventories on car dealer lots fell for a second consecutive month. Consumer credit likely rose more slowly in March than February.

Matching Comerica’s forecast and the market consensus, the Federal Open Market Committee held the federal funds target unchanged at a range of 5.25% to 5.50% at the May 1 decision, and announced that they would slow the pace at which they run off their balance sheet to $60 billion per month in June from $95 billion previously.

The Fed’s forward guidance emphasized that monetary policy is data dependent, meaning that the Fed would only begin to reduce interest rates after convincing evidence that inflation is slowing further. Comerica’s May forecast will project two quarter percentage point interest rate cuts by the Fed by year-end, at the September and December decisions.

Nonfarm employment rose a smaller-than-expected 175,000 in April, with 22,000 in net downward revisions to February and March. The unemployment rate edged up to 3.9% from 3.8% in February, with employment in the household survey 25,000 higher, unemployment up 63,000, and the size of the labor force up 87,000.

The household survey is likely undercounting labor force growth since the statistical system has a hard time measuring economic activity of recent immigrants. Average hourly earnings increased 0.2% from February and 3.9% from a year earlier. The moderation of wage growth is a reassuring sign that the economy continues to move two steps forward, one step back toward more normal price pressures. In related data released at a lag, job openings, hires, and quits all pulled back in March to the lowest levels since the recovery from the pandemic took off in late 2020 and early 2021. 

Other price data released last week were less encouraging than average hourly earnings. House prices rose more than expected in February, with the CoreLogic Case-Shiller S&P 20-City House Price Index up 0.6% on the month, well above the 0.1% consensus. The FHFA HPI overshot expectations even more and jumped 1.2%, versus a 0.2% consensus forecast.

The ISM Manufacturing and Services PMI surveys both pointed to higher price pressures from input costs in April, with manufacturing input prices registering the most widespread increases since mid-2022. Both the Services and Manufacturing PMIs fell to below 50 in April, a sign private-sector economic activity lost momentum in the month.

Bill Adams is a senior vice president and chief economist at Comerica. Waran Bhahirethan is a vice president and senior economist at Comerica.

Weekly Unemployment Claims Rise to Highest Level Since August

By
Brad Kadrich
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The American job market, which has been so strong for so long, may not be so strong right now.

A week after the U.S. added its lowest number of jobs – 175,000 – in six months, the rate of American workers applying for uemployment assistance rose to its highest total since August.

The number of unemployment claims rose to 231,000 in the week ending May 4, according to statistics released by the Labor Department Thursday. That’s 22,000 claims higher than the previous week and the most since the end of August.

The four-week average of claims also rose slightly, climbing by 4,750 to 215,000.

Weekly unemployment claims have remained at historically low levels since the pandemic cost Americans millions of jobs in the spring of 2020.

Last month, U.S. employers added just 175,000 jobs, the unemployment rate inched back up to 3.9% from 3.8% — it has remained below 4% for 27 straight months, the longest such streak since the 1960s – and the government reported its fewest job openings – 8.5 million — in three years.

A total of 1.79 million Americans were collecting unemployment benefits during the week ending April 27, up some 17,000 from the previous week.

American Airlines Honors Veterans With Normandy Trip

By
Press Release
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FORT WORTH, Texas — American Airlines announced a historic endeavor to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France. On May 31, American will fly 70 World War II veterans to France on a donated charter flight to honor them for their service and sacrifice.

“We’re honored to play a part in helping this group of heroic veterans return to Normandy,” said David Seymour, American’s Chief Operating Officer and a veteran of the U.S. Army. “This special journey is not only an expression of our gratitude for these heroes and the sacrifices they made for our freedom, but we hope to help shine a light on their extraordinary stories and preserve their legacies for generations to come.”

D-Day marks a pivotal moment in history, and this trip reaffirms American’s commitment to supporting veterans and preserving their stories 80 years later.

Among the many heroes who will return to Normandy with American is U.S. Navy veteran Felix Maurizio, who was on a landing craft that deployed troops onto Omaha Beach on D-Day. One of the soldiers he dropped off was his brother, Sal, who served in an Army medical unit.

Also taking the trip is Frank Perry, who served in the Army Air Corps as a turret gunner in central Europe in March 1945, and recalls staying on high alert for enemy fighter aircraft. After being discharged from service, he pursued his dream of a career in aviation with nearly 40 years of service at Piedmont Airlines. Piedmont is one of the many heritage airlines that came together to form today’s American Airlines.

The journey will begin with a kickoff dinner at the American Airlines headquarters in Fort Worth the night before, followed by a send-off parade at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport before the group boards a chartered flight to Paris.

The veterans will spend two days in Paris before traveling to the Normandy region for commemorative events. The trip will include visits to key historical sites, concerts and special ceremonies to honor the courage and sacrifice of all who served during World War II. The trip will culminate with a June 6 ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery, where more than 9,000 U.S. service members have been laid to rest.

American has a long history of supporting those who have sacrificed to serve our nation and has formed partnerships with many organizations to support their mission. This historic trip includes partners like TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Gary Sinise Foundation, Robert Irvine Foundation and Old Glory Honor Flight.

Bookmark www.aa.com/dday80 for updates surrounding the trip.

Detroit Public School Community District Foundation Gala Honors Reverend Dr. Wendell Anthony

By
Brad Kadrich
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Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony

DETROIT — The third annual Tyrone E. Winfrey Sr. Hall of Fame Alumni Gala, hosted by the Detroit Public Schools Community District Foundation and the Detroit Public Schools Community District, announced the Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony will receive the Tyrone E. Winfrey Sr. Change Maker Award. President of the Detroit Branch NAACP, and a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors, Anthony is pastor of Fellowship Chapel in Detroit.

Hip-hop pioneer Doug E. Fresh is the headline performer for this year’s highly anticipated event. Legends of the Game: A Celebration of DPSCD Through the Years, will take place on Saturday, May 11, at Samuel C. Mumford High School, 17525 Wyoming Ave. in Detroit. Tickets, ranging from $150 to $300, are on sale now at www.halloffamedetroit.org. Proceeds from the gala support essentials, and programs to prepare Detroit students for college, career, and success.

All Detroit Public Schools and DPSCD alumni, families, and supporters are invited to attend this sports-themed fundraiser. The event will highlight contributions of excellence in sports, the arts, advocacy, education, and business with an honoree ceremony and tributes.

Named after the late Tyrone E. Winfrey, the Change Maker Award celebrates individuals who ignite transformative change within their communities and beyond. Recipients are visionary leaders, activists, entrepreneurs, and innovators who dare to challenge the status quo, inspire others to join the cause, and catalyze meaningful change.

Anthony will be honored for leading and coordinating the Connected Futures Program. This partnership of business and corporate leaders raised $23 million to provide laptop and Wi-Fi connectivity during the 2020 pandemic for 51,000 students, grades K-12, in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Previous Change Maker Award recipients also include Darryl Woods Jr., founder and CEO of Fighting the Good Fight.

“As we continue to fight for equitable funding for DPSCD, the Foundation allows us to make strategic investments in the District to better support our students. We invite all alumni to Come Home and celebrate our students, staff and the progress we are making as a District,” said Dr. Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent, DPSCD.

Themed “Legends of the Game: A Celebration of DPSCD Through the Years,” the sports-themed gala will honor the district’s legacy and traditions with elegance, and expand the celebration to disciplines outside of sports, reveling in the top achievements of DPS/DPSCD alum through the decades. From the moment guests approach the venue they will be immersed in a highly energetic atmosphere in the vein of a sporting event.

Touted as an experience for all alumni, Mumford High School will be literally transformed into an upscale, elegant experience by an array of creative vendors who are graduates of the Detroit Public School Community District. The alumni who will showcase their talents and abilities include: event designer and Cass Technical High School alumni Kori C. Fields, of Colour By Numbr; Delectable Food Stations featuring the culinary talents of Chef Reva Constantine, from Henry Ford High School; Chef Dominic McCord from Mumford High School; as well as restaurateurs Portia Powell from Martin Luther King Jr. High School and Derrick and LaDonna Reynolds of Chadsey High School and Webber Middle School. Bar services will be provided by Lauren Daniels, also a graduate of Cass Technical High School. 

The main entertainment event will be a live performance by hip-hop legend Doug E. Fresh, of “The Show” and “La Di Da Di” fame. Dubbed the “Original Human Beatbox,” Doug E. Fresh has etched himself into the annals of music history with his creation of the art form whereby he vocally simulates the sounds of drums and other musical instruments with stunning accuracy.

Other engaging entertainment “activations” operating throughout the event will include, the Speakeasy Lounge, with live performances by poet Jessica Care Moore, a Cody High School grad; and saxophonist Jeff Ponders from Renaissance High School. Sounds will be provided by DJ Lynda Carter, a Henry Ford High School grad, and by Dr. Darrius, an alum of Communication and Media Arts High School. Guests will also enjoy performances by current students, members of DPSCD marching bands, cheerleaders, and dance teams.

“We are excited to use the Hall of Fame Alumni gala as a vehicle to encourage alum and those who support equitable education to become move involved in our mission, which is to support the current students of DPSCD,” said Kerrie Mitchell, president and CEO of the DPSCD Foundation and King High School Alum. “We’re also proud to be able to create a unique experience that showcases the excellence DPSCD has produced throughout the decades.”

For more information, visit DPSFDN social media: Instagram @dpsfdn and Facebook at DPSFDN.

APACC’s Gala Honors AAPI Community

By
Brad Kadrich
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The APACC sign was a popular stop for photos at Saturday’s gala.

As the supplier diversity administrator for Forvia, one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers, Lisa Loomisa is always on the lookout for minority businesses with which Forvia can partner.

The black-tie gala also encouraged cultural dress. Tawat Sittipong (left, with Kalaya Petek) chose traditional Thai garb.

She had a target-rich environment Saturday, when the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce hosted its 23rd annual gala at the MGM Grand in Detroit.

More than 500 people were in attendance for the annual gala, designed to help recognize Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and support businesses and communities from that culture.

“We partner with minority-owned businesses, and this is a great chance to meet people we believe would make good partners,” Loomis said. “It’s a chance to talk to people we believe would be a good fit for us.”

That’s the whole idea of the APACC gala, bringing various people from the business community together to support the AAPI community.

Duc Abrahamson, the executive director of APACC, said that kind of support is crucial for what she said is the fastest-growing minority community in the state.

Attendees represented businesses large and small.

“It’s a great opportunity to support the AAPI community,” Abrahamson said. “Everybody who is here understands the importance of supporting this community.”

A special performance at the APACC gala featured Vietnamese musicians from Our Lady of Grace in Warren.

It’s one of the reasons Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

“Michigan is a beacon of opportunity where people from all over the world came to for economic opportunity and success,” Whitmer said. “In Michigan, we not only value and respect our differences, but we embrace them. During AAPI Heritage Month, we celebrate our state’s strong, vibrant Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.”

APACC’s gala featured a cultural performance set up by the Detroit Lion Dance Association. The performance featured musicians and dancers from Our Lady of Grace parish in Warren; an after-dinner performance from former APACC director Van Nguyen; and keynote speaker Priya Mann, an anchor and reporter from WDIV TV-4.

The evening also featured a silent auction, which enticed John Chau, representing Honigman, to bid on a round of golf.

John Chau of Honigman puts in a silent auction bid on a round of golf.

Chau called organizations like APACC and events like the gala “great platforms” not just for the Asian culture, but for all communities.

“They provide us with moments of reflection,” Chau said. “These kinds of events are good for bringing people together and allowing us all to be part of the community.”

$50 Million Federal Grant to Bolster Clean Energy Transition

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Press Release
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Vice President Kamala Harris and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II announced federal and state partnerships that will further position Michigan as a national leader in the clean energy transition and ensure the state remains the engine of the American auto industry. 

At Michigan’s request, the U.S. Department of Energy will design a $50 million Small Supplier Grant Program for auto suppliers that are transitioning to electric vehicles. The DOE, along with the U.S. Department of Labor, will also designate Michigan as an EV Workforce Hub in partnership with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to ensure Michigan workers have equitable access to high-quality training, education and services that provide a path to a good career without leaving their community.  

“I commend the Biden-Harris administration for their partnership and significant investment in Michigan’s EV industry and clean energy initiatives,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “This funding not only propels our state to the forefront of innovation but also ensures more Michiganders have access to quality jobs in these expanding sectors. This investment underscores our commitment to building a resilient economy that works for everyone and positions Michigan as a leader in the transition to a sustainable future.”

Gilchrist said the collaboration will allow more Michiganders … to “get to work building cars, batteries and more.”

“This collaboration is a testament to our state’s leadership in automotive innovation and will catalyze job creation, skills development, and economic growth across Michigan,” Gilchrist said. “By supporting our small suppliers and empowering the next generation of EV workers, we’re not just investing in infrastructure, we’re investing in the livelihoods of our people and the prosperity of our state.” 

Harris, Gilchrist, and industry and community leaders gathered at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit to announce the federal and state partnerships as part of the Vice President’s nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour. 

Small Supplier Grant Program  
The DOE will design the $50 million grant program to support the needs of Michigan automotive suppliers. According to the Center for Automotive Research, Michigan is home to over 1,000 independent automotive suppliers, and 140 of these suppliers and over 45,000 of their workers, may need to retool their facilities and convert from making ICE vehicles or components to EVs or components. The new initiative will help develop a domestic, diversified EV supply chain, retain high-quality, good-paying jobs and support the Administration’s goal of having 50% of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2030. DOE issued a Request for Information last month seeking input on the proposed fund.   

The development of the fund is in direct response to a proposal submitted by LEO last year recommending DOE create a program for small suppliers to increase vehicle electrification, retain jobs and ensure a smooth transition to EVs. 

“The new EV Workforce Hub will help drive our state’s economy forward by leveraging assistance from the Biden-Harris Administration and fostering collaboration among a diverse array of stakeholders,” said Susan Corbin, LEO director. The hub will not only address current challenges but also pave the way for future success. We are not just preparing workers for the jobs of tomorrow, we are ensuring Michigan remains at the forefront of innovation in battery and advanced manufacturing, ultimately strengthening our economy and securing prosperity for all.” 

The new initiatives will work in collaboration with the Clean Energy and Jobs Package to support communities, workers and employers by ensuring they can proactively prepare for, benefit from and shape Michigan’s future economy. The 2023 Clean Jobs America Report stated that clean energy businesses in Michigan added more than 5,400 workers in 2022 and now employ 123,983 Michiganders. Michigan now leads the Midwest in number of clean energy workers. According to the World Resource Institute, by the year 2040, the state could create 41,000 new jobs as it advances electric vehicle manufacturing and builds out of renewable energy, like solar and wind.

Ford Fund Rebrands as Ford Philanthropy

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Press Release
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DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, announced it is renaming itself to ‘Ford Philanthropy.’

Company officials said this evolution “reflects Ford’s 75-year legacy” of driving impact in Ford communities around the world. With $2.3 billion in philanthropic contributions since 1949, together with Ford Motor Company, Ford Philanthropy remains unwavering in its commitment to invest in solutions that address unique community needs, company offiials said in a release posted to the automaker’s website.   

The strategic rebranding not only reflects a fresh and modern outlook but also underscores Ford’s enduring mission to make the world a better place. While its identity is changing, Ford Philanthropy’s community partners, funding model, network of community centers and focus priorities – applying Ford’s mobility expertise to expand access to essential services, education for the future of work and entrepreneurship – remain the same.  

“Giving back has been an integral part of Ford’s history and values since the very beginning,” said Mary Culler, president, Ford Philanthropy. “Our rebrand honors our rich history and better reflects our core mission of partnering with communities to help move people forward and upward. Whether we’re connecting families with fresh food, helping neighborhoods rebuild after a disaster, or expanding access to careers in mobility, at Ford Philanthropy, we are passionate about working with our local partners and employee volunteers to help build equity and drive progress in Ford communities around the world.”

In addition to rebranding efforts, Ford Philanthropy also released its annual Impact Report. Highlights include:

  • $73.7 million in philanthropic contributions by Ford Motor Company and Ford Philanthropy
  • Directly supported 3.5 million people through partnerships and programs
  • Partnered with 470 nonprofits and community organizations
  • 55,000 Ford employee volunteer hours contributed in 31 countries

For more information about our work, please visit www.fordphilanthropy.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @FordPhilanthropy. 

Michigan’s Largest Entrepreneur Competition Opens 2024 Registration

By
Press Release
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GRAND RAPIDS – The 100, Start Garden’s open contest for startups, is back for a sixth year.

Everyone with a business idea or any business seeking to explore a new opportunity is invited. The event is believed to be the largest open business competition in the state with 100 recipients being funded. The winners will be announced at Start Garden’s Demo Day event Wednesday, Sept. 18, at Calder Plaza.

Start Garden continues partnering with Northern Initiatives, a nonprofit Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) that provides loans to Michigan small-business owners and entrepreneurs. The organization will provide each of the 10 finalists the option of taking a pre-approved $20,000 loan through the competition.

“When we designed the Start Garden 100, our goal was to make it a genuine opportunity for anyone from any neighborhood in Michigan,” said Paul Moore, Co-Director at Start Garden. “It’s literally the easiest $1,000 an entrepreneur can get to play with an idea.”

CRP Powered by the Minority Business Development Agency, MEDC SmartZone, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation are the financial muscle behind the 100.

In its first five years, The 100 has proven to help remove barriers to entrepreneurship based on the belief that anyone from any neighborhood, regardless of resources, deserves a shot at launching a business idea.

Submissions are being accepted through July 8. Participants must be 14 years or older. Video submissions will not be shared with the public. Participants may upload as many ideas as they wish.

Here is how it works:

  • People record and submit a 100-second video explaining their idea to 100.startgarden.com
  • In July, 100 finalists will be chosen to receive $1,000 each—no strings attached—to prepare for Demo Day
  • Finalists have two months to refine their ideas with support from Start Garden’s leadership team and partners
  • 100 finalists present at the 2024 Demo Day competition Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024
  • At Demo Day, ten winners receive another $20,000 to help their business take off
  • A separate high school category for students under 18 awards $1,000 to 5 finalists selected to compete and an additional $5,000 to a winner chosen on Demo Day

Submitting your video puts you in the running for funding and community support to help your idea take off.

The 100 is the most accessible business competition of its kind. While it is open to aspiring entrepreneurs throughout the community, Start Garden promoted the first competition through intense marketing in historically underrepresented neighborhoods. The efforts paid off, with about 53% of the finalists being women and 60% from minority groups each year since.

The 2023 Demo Day competition drew more than 2,000 visitors to Calder Plaza, the first time the event has been held outside. The winning ideas included various products and services, including food and drink, online platforms and services, and manufacturers.

Darren Riley, a past top 10 winner and owner of JustAir, said, he’s always been “grateful for Start Garden’s support early on in my founder journey.

“As you go through the founder’s ups and downs, you learn quickly that community is everything and people root for you,” Riley said. “To the next generation of 100 who will continue to raise the bar for our ecosystem – know that we are here rooting for you to win.”

There is more to the competition than the money. The lead-up to the competition and Demo Day is designed to expand an aspiring entrepreneur’s network—a vital component to getting any new business off the ground. More than 2,000 visitors attended the 2023 event. 44% of competitors reported making more than eight new connections to help their startup, and more than 73% said they would “absolutely” encourage other would-be entrepreneurs to take a shot at The 100.

Higher Hopes! and Blessings in a Backpack Join Forces to End Weekend Hunger for Kids

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Press Release
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DETROIT, MI – Higher Hopes!, a Michigan-based charitable organization, is proud to announce a new affiliate partnership with the national nonprofit Blessings in a Backpack to provide weekend meals for Head Start students in Detroit.

Starting this school year, 500 students at United Children and Family Head Start, Starfish Family Services, Development Centers (MiSide), and Focus: HOPE Head Start will receive pre-packs of nutritious food every Friday to ensure they have access to food over the weekend. Through this initiative, Higher Hopes! and Blessings in a Backpack aim to stop weekend hunger and provide vital nutrition for children who are food insecure.

Bill Birndorf, founder of Higher Hopes!, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership.

“We are so excited to be bringing this program to our Head Start facilities in Detroit and even more excited to help stamp out weekend hunger pangs,” Birndorf said. “It’s an amazing program as only $175 will see one child given weekend food throughout the entire school year. For this first year, we aim to provide weekend food to a minimum of 1,500 children per month.”

Most students in the Blessings in a Backpack program rely on free and reduced-cost lunches during the school week for healthy meals but lack access to food over the weekend. By providing weekend prepacks, the organizations aim to alleviate hunger and ensure Detroit-area children have the nutrition they need to learn, grow, and thrive.

“With this very important and meaningful program, we want kids to come to school on Monday morning without the pains of hunger that they might experience without our involvement,” Birndorf said. “Looking forward, our long-term goal is to increase the number of children reached each year.”

“We are thrilled to build sustainable partnerships in the area to help ensure hundreds of local students are fed each weekend,” said Erin Kerr, CEO, Blessings in a Backpack. “It’s an honor to join forces with Higher Hopes! to extend our reach in Detroit and instill hope for a brighter future among students.”

For more information on how you can support Higher Hopes! efforts to provide food for Head Start students over weekends, please visit higherhopesdetroit.org or contact Bill Birndorf at [email protected].

Fed Leaves Interest Rates Where They Are, Signals Delay in Cuts

By
Brad Kadrich
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The inflation rate has dropped from a historic high of 9.2% to around 3.6%, but apparently that’s now low enough for the Federal Reserve to consider cutting its prime interest rate.

In a statement issued after its most recent meeting, the Fed decided not to cut rates, instead leaving it at 5.3%, a 20-year high. The Fed said in its statement that inflation remains “stubbornly high” and that potential rate cuts won’t happen until there is “greater confidence” in reaching its 2% target.

“In recent months, inflation has shown a lack of further progress toward our 2% objective,” ” Chair Jerome Powell said at a news conference after the meeting. “It is likely that gaining greater confidence will take longer than previously expected.”

While continuing to say the Fed’s decision on when to cut rates – which economists expect will come perhaps this summer — will depend on the most-up-to-date economic data. “My expectation is that over the course of this year, we will see inflation move back down,” he said.

At its March 20 meeting, Fed officials indicated three rate reductions would likely come in 2024, perhaps starting in June. Rate cuts by the Fed would lead, over time, to lower borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, including for mortgages, auto loans and credit cards.

The Associated Press reported that, given the persistent inflation rate, financial markets now expect just one rate cut this year, in November, according to futures prices tracked by CME FedWatch.

On Wednesday, the Fed announced it would slow the pace at which it’s unwinding one of its biggest COVID-era policies: Its purchase of several trillion dollars in Treasury securities and mortgage-backed bonds, an effort to stabilize financial markets and keep longer-term rates low, according to the AP.

Ford’s U.S. Hybrid Sales Hits All-Time Monthly Record

By
Press Release
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Customer reception to Ford hybrid vehicles continues to accelerate, with U.S. sales reaching 17,997 in April, a 60 percent improvement from the same month a year ago and a new monthly record, the automaker said in a release posted to its website Thursday..

Sales of the new F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid set a new monthly record in April – up 93.6% – making F-150 Hybrid America’s top-selling full-size hybrid pickup.

Ford officials said early customers of the new 2024 model are overwhelmingly choosing to upgrade to the available 7.2kW Pro Power Onboard feature, which brings power to a jobsite, tailgate party, or power appliances during a power outage.

So far this year, Ford officials said in the release, Maverick Hybrid is the best-selling hybrid pickup overall; customers bought 26,061 Maverick Hybrid trucks over the first four months of 2024.

Most of those customers – 59% – are coming from other brands and segments, notably trading in their small SUVs for a Maverick.

Job Openings Fall to Lowest Level in 3 Years, But Remain Historically High

By
Brad Kadrich
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If the increasing interest rates are supposed to slow the U.S. job market, it doesn’t appear to be working.

While U.S. job openings dropped in March to the lowest level they’ve seen in three years, they’re still historically high.

According to statistics released by the Labor Department Wednesday, employers posted 8.5 million vacancies in March, down from the 8.8 million reported in February and the fewest since February 2021.

The number of Americans quitting their jobs fell to the lowest level since January 2021, but layoffs fell.

Monthly job openings are down from a peak of 12.2 million in March 2022 but remain at a high level. Before 2021, they’d never exceeded 8 million — a threshold they have now reached for 37 straight months, according to the Associated Press. As the Federal Reserve raised its rate 11 times starting in March 2022, the economy kept growing, companies kept hiring and unemployment stayed low, coming in under 4% for 26 straight months. That’s the longest such streak since the 1960s. Employers have added a healthy average of 276,000 jobs a month this year and Friday’s April jobs report is expected to show they tacked on another 230,000 last month, according to a survey of forecasters by the data firm FactSet.

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