2021 Conference

• Business Leaders Encourage Uncomfortable Conversations to Advance Workplace Equity

  Getting comfortable with having uncomfortable conversations and expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts to include the LGBTQ+ communities and individuals with disabilities were among sentiments shared during a Racial Equity in the Workplace panel Wednesday morning.

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• Investing in Minority Entrepreneurship is not Philanthropic, It’s Business

  In early 2020, 60% of Black-owned businesses were in distress and at risk of closing. By March 2020, 40% were in the process of closing. According to Candice Matthews Brackeen, executive director of Lighthouse Capitol, this was not a surprise. The distress rate for Black-owned businesses during the pandemic was 60%, compared to white counterparts whose distress rate was approximately 30%.

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• Detroit Month of Design Exhibits to Attend Sept. 23-28

  Every September, creative partners across Detroit come together to show off their latest artworks and ideas during Detroit Month of Design. This month-long event is a citywide celebration of creativity that gathers designers and the community to celebrate the city’s …

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• To Contribute to Economic Growth, ‘You’ve Got to Invest Deeply in Your Culture,’ Panel Says

  There’s no question that the last 18 months have been a learning process for even the most successful companies nationwide. During a live session on Tuesday, Sept. 21 at the Mackinac Policy Conference, Suzanne Shank, president and CEO of Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC spoke with Jay Farner of Rocket Companies, Harold Ford Jr. of PNC and John Tuttle of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on how they’ve adapted during this period of economic ups-and-downs. 

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• Investing in Health Equity: The Impact of Mobilizing and Policy by Blue Cross Blue Shield, Henry Ford Health System, and PwC

  Carladenise Edwards, Bridget Hurd, and Trine Tsouderos discussed health disparities and the steps Henry Ford Health System, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and PwC took to address them during the pandemic during a session focused on health equity and applying the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.

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• Poverty to Prosperity: Investing in People Over Place

  There are multidimensional causes that have shaped and continue to contribute to the racial wealth gap, including historic policy decisions and discriminatory practices. Day two of the 2021 Conference opened with a discussion on the impact of race and economic inequity, and the role that public and private sectors can play to create an equitable economic future for Michigan.

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• Four Detroit Month of Design Exhibitions to Check out Sept. 16-18

  Every September, creative partners across Detroit come together to show off their latest artworks and ideas during Detroit Month of Design. This month-long event is a citywide celebration of creativity that gathers designers and the community to celebrate the city’s …

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• Black business group bikes from Detroit to Mackinaw City, seeking investment

  Members of a Detroit-based organization on Sunday launched a 377-mile bike ride from the Motor City to Mackinaw City, making the case that African-American entrepreneurs, businesses and nonprofits are not getting their fair share of opportunities.

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• Bike Ride to Mackinaw City to Raise Money for Black-owned Businesses, Nonprofits

  An organization plans to bike about 375 miles to raise money for Black-owned businesses and nonprofits when they are in need. Black Leaders Detroit hosts the seven-day ride from Detroit to Mackinaw City called the BLD: Ride for Equity.  The group …

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• September is Hispanic Heritage Month: Here’s How to Celebrate

  Every year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the United States observes Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans who came from or whose ancestors came from Mexico, Spain, and the Spanish-speaking countries of Central America, …

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