Detroit Regional Chamber

Dream of Detroit is expanding the beloved and well-used DREAM Neighborhood Pocket Park on Tyler St. to provide kids and families in the neighborhood an enhanced space to gather, play, and build community.

Deeply Rooted ProduceDeeply Rooted Produce has a history in the community of providing convenient delivery of fresh fruits and vegetables to families in need and are expanding their existing program called Fresh Prescription where fruits & vegetable prescriptions are sharing the same stage as the healthcare system by ameliorating morbidities and diet-related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and high blood pressure.Bags to ButterfliesBags to Butterflies is a fashion brand that helps formerly incarcerated women reclaim their lives after returning to the community from serving lengthy prison sentences.  They create luxurious, one-of-a-kind, handmade handbags and accessories constructed from reused materials that get transformed into elegant statement pieces by the women in the program who otherwise would not be employed.

SMPLFD: SMPLFD is a Detroit-based clothing company that includes a boutique screen printing, embroidery, and design house as well as a contemporary streetwear clothing brand and showroom, warehouse, and fulfillment service.Women of Banglatown: Women of Banglatown is a safe space developed by and for first-generation and immigrant girls and women, where they can be unapologetically who they are and explore themselves through nature, art, entrepreneurship, and community.

Detroit is Different: Detroit is Different's Lot of Studio project is an outdoor interactive podcast and live music performance event on an urban garden giving fruits, vegetables, and information on Detroit's west side.Always There Notary: Always There is a mobile notary service providing service 24-hours, seven days a week.

Kidz Kingdom: Last year, Kidz Kingdom purchased a 10,000-square foot building and will be launching a state-of-the-art child care center and indoor playground as the facility's anchor projects. Additionally, a women's suite, clubhouse for parents, and one-stop dream fulfillment center for current and future entrepreneurs are part of the development.Motor City Grounds Crew: Motor City Grounds Crew will transform nine overgrown and blighted lots on Barham Street in Morningside into a dynamic and welcoming green space, accessible for neighbors of all ages and ability levels to activate and enjoy.

Ladder 4 Wine Bar: Ladder 4 is a converted firehouse in the Core City neighborhood that is part food and drink lab, part artist showcase, that pays tribute to all the rich and varied Detroit cultures and its musical traditions. With this grant, Ladder 4 will build a bandstand and procure furniture that would allow us to have live, local music outdoors in its yard.One Michigan for the Global Majority: One Michigan has acquired a 100-year-old property in southwest Detroit that previously served as the home of the TheUndocuSafe Space. With the space back in community youth-led hands, the building can be used by community members for studying, laundry, cooking, meetings, immigration legal services, running youth programs, and more. One Michigan's youth-led team has made significant repairs to the office over the last three years, but there is more to be done to make the space safe and accessible for the community.

Motor City GSD: Schutzhund in the D is a project designed to teach the art of dog training and helper work to underprivileged youth living in Metro Detroit.Universal Health and Wellness (UHW) is a Detroit-based pending nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality of life through programs that heal, empower, and transform. In 2021, the Hitha Healing House and Garden (HHHG) hub project was established to focus on improving intergenerational wellness in northeast Detroit by providing a safe gathering space for residents and visitors.

The Yunion will build out a courtyard space that can be shared with our service organization partners for events, programs, gatherings, meditation, and other activities requested by the community.Detroit PAL's new recreation center will provide education, health, and wellness opportunities to Detroit area students, parents, and community members by connecting them to resources in collaboration with partner nonprofits.

Pingree Detroit is a worker-owned, triple-bottom-line design and manufacturing cooperative, co-owned by veterans and Detroiters. Pingree creates hand-made footwear as well as home, pet, and fashion accessories using leather and other materials upcycled from the automotive industry. The project will help activate Pingree's community-focused footwear and leather goods training studio in Detroit.The Cutz Lounge project combines a 4.9 rated barbershop with a high-quality café to offer and serve the community with a place to relax, get a haircut, and eat good food.

Jo's Gallery is a second-generation brick-and-mortar art gallery located in the heart of Detroit, on the Livernois Avenue of Fashion. The NeighborHUB grant funds will help implement educational opportunities for art students to learn how to frame. Jo's Gallery will partner with the College for Creative Studies to find creative talent and provide a unique environment for students to explore art gallery ownership and learn the craft of custom framing.Detroit Hives: The State Fair and Hoover Pollinator Parkway will serve as a centralized location for community resources while providing green infrastructure to address climate inequality and food insecurity for people and pollinators.

The Detroit Regional Chamber hosted Jon Kaplan, national leader in employer-led upskilling and tuition assistance support, for the webinar Getting Started with Education Assistance. Kaplan taught attendees how to develop or scale an education assistance program and shared strategies for getting stakeholders onboard and for increasing program utilization.

A panel of legal, finance, and community engagement professionals will discuss: The SAFE Banking ActLegalizationDouble taxation

The Detroit Regional Chamber, in promotional partnership with Michigan Economic Development Corporation's Pure Michigan Business Connect, hosted Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Small Businesses on Nov. 16, 2021, to discuss how diversity, equity, and inclusion can benefit small businesses and is a good business decision, and the ways Detroit residents can receive priority consideration for business opportunities. The event featured a panel moderated by the Chamber's Chief Operating Officer Tammy Carnrike, and included Chanell Scott Contreras, executive director at ProsperUS; Portia Roberson, president and chief executive officer at Focus: HOPE; and Kim Rustem, director of the City of Detroit's Civil Rights, Inclusion, and Opportunity Department.

During the webinar, a panel of Michigan's top women leaders in the cannabis industry will discuss how they entered, successfully navigated, and rose to the top of the male-dominated industry. Following the discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to ask the panelists questions.

The Detroit Regional Chamber is hosting a series of events across 2021-2022 to help small, medium, and large diverse-owned businesses in Southeast Michigan grow. The Black- and Diverse-Owned Business series will provide resources to businesses, with the areas of focus being access to capital, procurement, digital divide, policy needs, talent access, and chief executive officer concierge services.

Bea Wolnerman of Bea's and Bea's Squeeze, shares her business journey from vision to distribution, the growth the company has seen, and how her team got creative to open a lemonade stand on the smallest parcel of land for sale on Detroit's urban pedestrian path, the Dequindre Cut. Wolnerman also participated in a panel discussion on the future of dining in Detroit during the 2021 Detroit Policy Conference.

As COVID-19 vaccine eligibility expands to the general public, it is important to share resources within your organization. Controlling the virus and reopening businesses is going to require workplace conversations and support. Attendees will hear insights from regional health experts from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Henry Ford Health System on the COVID-19 vaccines, navigating employee conversations, and the new COVID-19 variants.

Tre Hobbs of Neighborhood Essentials shares the path that led him to create a cannabis brand with a focus on social equity, and how his company is acting as an incubator for other start-ups in the industry. Listen to the podcast to hear how Hobbs is making connections and finding success in Detroit and across the country.

Lester Gouvia, owner of Norma G's Detroit, shares how he transitioned his Caribbean cuisine food truck to a brick-and-mortar location in Detroit's Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood, and the small business resources he utilized to make his vision a reality.

Dr. Stanley Samuel Jr., president of Michigan State University, and Dr. Randolph Rasch, dean and professor at the university’s College of Nursing, joined Tammy Carnrike, chief operating officer of the Detroit Regional Chamber, to share medical expertise and insights on the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines currently being administered in Michigan. The two MSU leaders also shared their thoughts on how herd immunity can effectively be achieved.

Quiana “Que” Broden of Cooking with Que has used a variety of digital platforms to bring healthier options to the table as many continue to work and cook from home. Learn how she has expanded her reach by teaching workshops on social media and started a meal prep delivery service with options for vegans and meat-eaters alike.

Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services discusses the state’s plan to administer the COVID-19 vaccination and shares insight on the vaccine’s safety and efficacy.Khaldun also engaged in a one-on-one discussion with Tammy Carnrike, chief operating officer of the Detroit Regional Chamber.

During this session, Executive Director James White and Equity Officer Alfredo Hernandez discuss what employees should do if they encounter discrimination in the workplace and also how employers can create an inclusive, equitable atmosphere. Michigan’s Department of Civil Rights investigates and resolves discrimination complaints and works to prevent discrimination through educational programs that promote voluntary compliance with civil rights laws.White and Hernandez also engage in a discussion with Brad Williams, vice president of government relations and Bernard Parker, director of local government relations of the Detroit Regional Chamber.

Jeffrey Gisstennar of Good Cookies shares how he turned a family tradition into a small business opportunity and how he plans to open a brick-and-mortar location amidst COVID-19.

Asia Hamilton of Norwest Gallery, shares how her experience as an artist led her to create a platform to showcase artists of color and exhibit their work.

David Merritt of Narrow Way Cafe shares how he expanded on his family’s legacy at Straight Gate Church to open Narrow Way Cafe to serve others in the community, how he learned the ropes of serving food and beverage with the help from Zingerman’s, and how COVID-19 has impacted the cafe.

Dr. James Grant, senior vice president and chief medical officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will discuss the COVID-19 vaccine and what you can expect in the coming months. Dr. Grant will share his expertise on how the vaccine was developed, when the vaccine will be available to you, and what it will take to achieve herd immunity.Dr. Grant will engage in a discussion with Tammy Carnrike, chief operating officer for the Detroit Regional Chamber. Participants can submit questions during the discussion.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal government has offered various financial relief programs for businesses. The team at UHY LLP has been monitoring the available programs and making recommendations to businesses to help them survive the economic crisis. Join a discussion with UHY LLP’s Thomas Alongi, partner, and Ali Baydoun, principal, on:Paycheck Protection Program Round I: Tips for forgivenessPaycheck Protection Program Round II: – Application process already underway and tips for forgivenessShuttered Venue Operator GrantsEmployee Retention Credit

Now that a COVID-19 vaccine is a reality, and distribution and administration are underway, many individuals have questions related to the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. Dr. Arnold Monto, professor of epidemiology and global public health at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health will share his expertise. Dr. Monto also serves as acting chair of the Food and Drug Administration’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee.Dr. Monto also engages in a discussion with Tammy Carnrike, chief operating officer for the Detroit Regional Chamber.

Now that a COVID-19 vaccine is a reality, many employers are contemplating whether they will be able to require employees to take it when it becomes available to the general population. Like with many other questions about COVID-19, the answer is not clear. But what is clear is that employers can start planning now to ensure the health and safety of their employees.Join Dykema’s Elisa J. Lintemuth, member, labor and employment, and Melvin J. Muskovitz, senior counsel, labor and employment, for a discussion on:Whether an employer can mandate employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.Whether employees have a legal basis to object.Whether the rules are different for vaccines approved on an Emergency Authorization (EUA) basis.Potential liability considerationsPractical concerns

Robert Courtney Collins of Robert Courtney LLC speaks to how his small business clients are safely opening their doors or accepting orders, the necessary shift to marketing in an online environment, and how he got started as an entrepreneur.

For many people, the holiday season will look different this year. Often, the last few months of the year are busy with parties and visiting family and friends. But due to COVID-19, many individuals are already experiencing isolation and activities like traveling and gathering in large groups may not be possible. Many individuals may find it difficult to cope with these changes to the holiday season.Join Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Dr. William Beecroft, medical director, behavioral health and Julia Kyle, behavior health strategy and planning director for a discussion that will offer insights on coping with stress, change, and isolation through the holidays and into the winter months. Beecroft and Kyle will engage in a discussion with Tammy Carnrike, chief operating officer for the Detroit Regional Chamber.

Detroit Grit: Persevering Despite The OddsRegina Gaines of House of Pure Vin shares how her shop has safely stayed open for foot traffic amid COVID-19, making the necessary shift t

Michael Forsyth of Detroit City Distillery discusses making the shift to producing hand sanitizer throughout the pandemic, how they adapted to accomodate guests safely over the summer, and previewed new products available for curbside pickup.

Marion Whicker, who normally serves as an executive director with the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) – is on loan to Operation Warp Speed where she is applying her expertise in moving military machinery to delivering COVID-19 vaccines across the nation. Operation Warp Speed’s mission is to develop and deliver a COVID-19 vaccine to 300 million Americans. Whicker, who oversees TACOM’s Integrated Logistics Support Center in Warren, Michigan – is now working as Operation Warp Speed’s deputy chief of supply, production, and distribution where she is among the senior logisticians coordinating a herculean effort.Join us to learn more about Operation Warp Speed and Whicker’s role as she discusses the planning effort to move an approved COVID-19 vaccine around the country and the current status of distribution. Whicker will engage in a one-on-one conversation with Tammy Carnrike, chief operating officer for the Detroit Regional Chamber.

Is your business doing its part to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak among your workforce? Workplaces continue to be a significant source of spread and outbreaks as Michigan battles COVID-19 throughout the state.To further protect workers from the increased spread of COVID-19, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) launched a State Emphasis Program (SEP) focused on office settings that addresses the need for increased vigilance, education, and enforcement on remote work policies.Sean Egan, Michigan’s director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety will discuss why it is imperative that employers implement the mitigation strategies and promote remote work to alleviate potential outbreaks. Egan will also discuss how the “three-week pause to save lives” will affect your workplace as well as MIOSHA approved return to work strategies for 2021.

Between now, inauguration day, and beyond, immigration is expected to be a high-priority issue. New Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security regulations are impacting employers in the Detroit region. The federal government has significantly tightened standards to hire foreign workers on both a temporary and permanent basis.Miller Canfield’s immigration team will provide updates on how employers should plan for the remainder of 2020 and what is on the horizon for 2021, including proposed changes to the H-1B cap-subject lottery.Speakers:Julianne Cassin Sharp, Principal, Miller Canfield Elizabeth Baker, Associate, Miller Canfield Lu (Kevin) Wang, Associate, Miller Canfield

Brenda Lawrence, U.S. Representative (MI-D 14)Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Senator (MI-D)Fred Upton, U.S. Representative (MI-R 6)Moderator: Carol Cain, Senior Producer and Host, CBS 62 Michigan Matters; Columnist, Detroit Free PressSponsor: TCF Bank

As clinical trials continue across the world for a COVID-19 vaccine, many employers are contemplating whether they will be able to require employees to take the vaccine when it becomes available in the United States. Like with many other questions about COVID-19, the answer is not clear. But what is clear is that employers can start planning now to ensure the health and safety of their employees.Michelle L. Kolkmeyer of Bodman’s Workplace Law Group will offer insight on whether mandating employees take a COVID-19 vaccine is possible and offer advice to employers. Kolkmeyer will engage in a one-on-one discussion with Brad Williams, vice president of government relations for the Detroit Regional Chamber. Participants can submit questions during the discussion.

Julie Sweet, CEO, AccentureInterviewer: Christy McDonald, Anchor, Detroit Public TelevisionSponsor: Accenture

Suffering from a security incident or data breach is a question of “when” not “if” and preparedness is key to recovering quickly. This interactive and realistic cyber exercise will deepen attendees’ understanding of the complex issues that a significant cyber breach can inflict on an organization. Learn from those who have experienced breaches in the past and walk through a realistic exercise to obtain a real-world understanding of pressures you might face during an incident. Participants will come away with an understanding of steps they can take now to better prepare themselves for when a cyber breach happens to them. Participants will understand how to navigate a security incident, how to identify the right external partners to assist with the response, and how to recognize and avoid common errors that can complicate a data breach.This is an interactive session where participants will be part of the data breach or security incident and will be asked to make decisions regarding next steps in the response process.Presenters:Melissa Ventrone, Member, Clark HillJeffrey Wells, Director, Cybersecurity Consulting, Clark Hill

Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State, State of MichiganNeil Bradley, Executive Vice President, Chief Policy Officer, U.S. Chamber of CommerceModerator: Devin Scillian, Anchor, WDIV-TV4, NBCSponsor: ITC

2020 always promised to be a big election year for Michigan. Early signs point to record voter participation in our state and across the nation. Join us Thursday after the election for a Town Hall discussion with Zach Gorchow, executive editor and publisher of Gongwer News Service Michigan and Brad Williams, vice president of government relations for the Detroit Regional Chamber. Gorchow and Williams will breakdown where Michigan stands in counting votes, the outcomes of key state and national races, and what issues they believe may be considered during a 2020 “lame duck” legislative session.

Mark Burton, President and CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corp.Kevin Johnson, President and CEO, Detroit Economic Growth Corp.Moderator: Carol Cain, Senior Producer and Host, CBS 62 Michigan Matters; Columnist, Detroit Free PressSponsor: Michigan Economic Development Corp.

Ian ConyersFormer State SenatorJohn Truscott CEO and Principal, Truscott Rossman