DETROIT – The Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone named Cabbon Winston its 2023 BIZ Ambassador of the Year.
A Detroit native, Winston has served as a BIZ Ambassador for over six years. In his current role, he serves as an equipment operator working to keep Downtown streets clean, safe and welcoming for all.
Launched in 2014, the BIZ Ambassador Program is the cornerstone of the BIZ and one of the largest of its kind in the nation. It employs a dedicated team of nearly 100 Ambassadors, made up of more than 90% Detroiters. All Ambassadors are certified in crowd management, mental health first aid, CPR, de-escalation and more. Trainings are facilitated Detroit Police Department’s Neighborhood Police Officers, by the City of Detroit Department of Homeland Security, DDP team members, and DDP’s vendor, Block by Block.
“I set a goal at the start of 2023 – to be named BIZ Ambassador of the Year,” Winston said. “Reaching that goal and receiving this recognition has been really rewarding. I’m happy to see all my hard work pay off in my hometown, and I’m looking forward to continuing to keep Detroit beautiful.”
Additionally, the Ambassadors also support Project Lighthouse, Downtown Detroit’s nationally recognized safety program where public and private law enforcement professionals collaborate to keep Downtown and its patrons safe. BIZ Safety Ambassadors receive enhanced training on efficient and effective communication protocols for public safety and mental health first aid. Safety Ambassadors work directly with the BIZ Outreach Specialist, a social worker who engages with unhoused individuals, working to connect them with resources and stable housing.
Since the inception of the BIZ, Ambassadors have assisted over half a million patrons, collected 8,338 tons of trash and removed more than 32,000 markings of graffiti. This year, as the BIZ celebrates its 10-year anniversary, it remains dedicated to maintaining a safe and vibrant Downtown environment for all to enjoy.
“For the last decade, the BIZ has worked tirelessly to keep our city safe and welcoming for everyone,” said Gina Cavaliere, BIZ Director and DDP Chief Community Impact Officer, “It is thanks to BIZ Ambassadors like Cabbon Winston, the BIZ Board of Directors, and the support of Downtown property owners, government and business leaders, residents, and patrons that we’ve been able to make the BIZ a successful and integral part of our Downtown community.”
BIZ services include hospitality, cleaning, safety, public space maintenance, supplemental lighting, and more, aiming to benefit Downtown property owners, businesses, residents, employees and visitors. The BIZ is led by a Board of Directors comprised of community leaders who are volunteers. The BIZ contracts with DDP to facilitate its day-to-day operations.
Other initiatives supported by the BIZ include The Spirit Card, a Detroit-wide community e-gift card aimed at keeping local dollars in Detroit, Downtown Detroit Datascape, a strategic initiative to provide metrics, actionable information, and analysis to Downtown stakeholders to help benchmark progress, inform decisions, and drive investment.
For more information about the BIZ, please visit https://downtowndetroit.org/about-the-ddp/business-improvement-zone.
To hear more of Winston’s story and experience as a BIZ Ambassador, please visit https://downtowndetroit.org/news-insights/cabbon-winston-2023-biz-ambassador-of-the-year.
