2024 Detroit Policy Conference to tackle Michigan’s population growth and business development

The Detroit Regional Chamber is gearing up to host the 2024 Detroit Policy Conference on January 11 at the MotorCity Casino Hotel. The annual gathering, presented by the Detroit Regional Chamber in January each year, draws hundreds of business and policy leaders. This year’s conference will explore initiatives and policy strategies that could bolster the state’s population and make Michigan an alluring hub for talent and business development. 

From engineering to running an Asian American bakery, Rachel Liu Martindale set to open Q Bakehouse and Market

Rachel Liu Martindale, former engineer turned entrepreneur, is getting ready to open Q Bakehouse and Market early this year. The Asian American bakery, located on the west side of Ann Arbor, will feature a fusion of traditional Asian flavors. 

Black Box: a family-operated coffee shop and art gallery in Dearborn

Nestled on the vibrant corner of Monroe and Village Drive in Dearborn, Black Box coffee stands as a testament to Michigan’s entrepreneurial spirit. It was created by the Alcodray family – retired engineer and IT leader Ray, his wife Lisa, and their daughter Sarah – Black Box, a coffee shop and fine art gallery, has become a fixture in its community. The family’s first location opened in June 2018. In October 2020, the shop moved to its current location. 

Global Detroit shares the importance of immigrant inclusion in Michigan’s population revitalization

​Since Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the Growing Michigan Together Council, the state’s population stagnation and economic prosperity have been front and center for several businesses, organizations and educational institutions. Global Detroit, a regional economic development and community development organization, has been exploring the state’s population issues and the importance of immigrant inclusion in the region’s revitalization. 

Federal Pell Grants for prison inmates return, opening new possibilities for prison education programs

In Michigan, roughly 22% of the state’s formerly incarcerated population end up back behind bars, but education can have an impact on recidivism. A study from Emory University shows that recidivism rates drop to less than 14% after earning an associate degree, down to 5.6% after earning a bachelor’s degree, and nearly 0% with a master’s degree. More opportunities for returning citizens to earn higher education degrees became accessible in July when Federal Pell Grants became available to the incarcerated again.  

Michigan’s battle against brain drain: Washtenaw Community College FAME program connects students to careers

Michigan has been suffering from brain drain, the loss of in-state college graduates to other states after graduation, according to the Citizens Research Council of Michigan. Washtenaw Community College’s FAME program — the Michigan Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education, a work-and-learn program between the college and advanced manufacturing employers, has been taking steps to help the state change its trajectory. There are several FAME chapters across the nation; Washtenaw Community College started the first Michigan chapter in January.  

10th Annual Black Friday Scholarship Bootcamp offers educational opportunities rather than shopping sprees

In a bid to transform Black Friday from a day of shopping sprees to a day of educational empowerment, Gwen Thomas, the founder and executive director of Fresh Perspectives Seminars, is gearing up for the 10th annual Black Friday Scholarship Bootcamp on Nov. 24 in Detroit. This year, the event will offer four scholarships, including two $1,000 prizes, one $500 award, and one $250 grant for graduating seniors. 

Michigan’s higher education experts discuss college access, equity for communities of color

​A sobering reality persists for many students from communities of color trying to enter one of Michigan’s many higher education institutions. Often, they’re met with a myriad of challenges and barriers in the pursuit of higher education access and admission. From systemic inequities to financial constraints, these aspiring scholars often confront multifaceted hurdles that can hinder their dreams of post-secondary education.   

The Blackbottom Group’s EV Automotive Mobility Program prepares Detroiters for an electrified future

The Blackbottom Group has launched an innovative program, the EV Automotive Mobility Program, that equips Detroiters with the skills necessary for jobs that will soon be in high demand. The Program offers hands-on training in the maintenance and repair of electric vehicles, as well as education in internal combustion engine technology, in an effort to bridge the gap and address the racial disparity within the electric vehicle (EV) industry.  Only roughly 2% of EV owners are Black, a statistic often attributed to vehicle costs and a notable lack of charging stations in predominantly Black neighborhoods, often referred to as “charging deserts.” The racial disparity within the EV industry is not just about car ownership; it extends to broader implications for public health and economic opportunities.

The implications of Michigan’s population stagnation: A conversation with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Population stagnation is a challenge faced by many states and regions across the nation, and Michigan is no exception. It’s a predicament that, if left unaddressed, experts say could have significant and far-reaching consequences for the state’s economy, workforce and long-term prosperity. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has made addressing this issue a top priority and has established the “Growing Michigan Together Council” to propose solutions. The council’s findings and recommendations, anticipated in December, will play a pivotal role in determining the state’s trajectory.  

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