Features

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Sterling Heights offers a wide range of vegan delights

Are you looking to take the "me" out of meat? If so, Sterling Heights has some unique and tasty offerings for vegans and non-vegans alike.

Feature Story Macomb students visit a Paslin facility on Manufacturing Day.

Macomb County is tackling workforce challenges by connecting students with local businesses

Macomb County businesses have been struggling to fill positions. Could the answer to their workforce woes be building bridges with local schools?

Development News Book Tower (center) is located at 1265 Washington Blvd. in downtown Detroit. (Photo: Book Tower / Facebook)

Book Tower nears spring opening after seven years and $300M of historic restoration work

“When we acquired Book Tower, Bedrock took on more than just a dilapidated building­—we inherited an iconic property that held a century of Detroit’s history and elegance,” says Kofi Bonner, chief executive officer at Bedrock.

Development News A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the Bocce Barn in Sterling Heights this past Tuesday, March 21.

Sterling Heights officials gather to cut the ribbon on city's brand new Bocce Barn

The bocce ball facility serves as the final capstone project for the city’s Recreating Recreation initiative.

Feature Story Jamar's Jammies / Photo supplied

Young founder of Jamar’s Jammies raises 700+ pajama donations each year for Michigan kids

Jamar Bray recalled running downstairs to watch the Detroit-inspired “Static Shock” animated series, in his pajamas – and even at a young age knowing that pajamas were a privilege. Now the 25-year-old runs a nonprofit that provides pajamas for youth in Detroit, Ypsilanti, and Howell during the winter season.  

Longform  Check-in area of St. Clair Community Mental Health in Port Huron.

Michigan community mental health agencies recognize families' role in treatment

Michigan's CMHs rely on families to help recovery and ensure that people function at their highest level.

Longform Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, founder of the Women-Inspired Neighborhood Network: Detroit.

Detroit initiatives combat high Black infant mortality rate with dignity and compassion

Black infant mortality rates in Michigan are consistently two and sometimes even three times higher than in white communities.

Development News The reimagining of this particular stretch of one of the country’s most iconic commercial corridors is expected to be completed in the late fall of 2023.

Construction on Woodward Avenue 'road diet' set to resume in Ferndale

The reimagining of this particular stretch of one of the country’s most iconic commercial corridors is expected to be completed in the late fall of 2023.

Development News The series is presented in partnership between Velocity and Macomb Next.

Second in a series of Industry 4.0 workshops asks the question: What's the big deal about big data?

“These events are for manufacturers of all sizes,” says Vicky Rowinski, director, MCPED.

Development News The Gabriel Brass Band leading revelers through downtown Farmington to open the Grand Raven Festival in October 2022.

National and regional honors recognize good things happening in Farmington

"The City leadership, volunteers and stakeholders, and the entire business community in the City have rallied together with a focus on making Farmington the best that it can be," Kevin Christiansen, City of Farmington Planning and Building Department Director, said in a statement.

Partner Content The Greater Flint Health Coalition’s work in gardens grew out of its SNAP-Ed direct education programming like Fresh Conversations and Rec-Connect™, pictured here at Burton Senior Activity Center.

Gardens growing change in Flint

The Greater Flint Health Coalition delivers nutrition and physical activity education with SNAP-Ed direct education programming to residents, including senior citizens, across Flint and Genesee County. 

Partner Content URC mi Stem forward 3

Mi STEM Forward Program Connects Employers with Talented Students

With more than 550 interns placed, the Michigan STEM Forward program is connecting Michigan’s young talent with companies in key industries across the state. Many of the interns are students at one of the three state research-intensive universities that make up the University Research Corridor (URC), an alliance of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University dedicated to strengthening Michigan’s economy.

Feature Story Irish pub

PHOTOS: 9 Irish pubs that have become neighborhood darlin's

With the Corktown parade this weekend, St Paddy's Day looks big this year. But not all publican houses are created equal. Some emanate charm, all gloomy corners and polished brass, while others radiate cheer with festive shamrocks and Kelly greens. Here are nine that have become stalwarts in our suburbs. Do you have a local?

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Why these well-established restauranteurs are excited for this year's Dearborn Restaurant Week

“Competition is fierce here in Dearborn, and everybody here does a hell of a job running the show. And we respect every one of them," says Moe Hider, owner of Famous Hamburger. "We work with a lot of our competition. We try and do events together, we promote each other. At the end of the day, if your neighbor is doing good, you're doing good, as well.”

Feature Story Lindsay Kennedy, owner of Dolcetto Cheese & Specialty Goods in downtown Farmington.

First-time entrepreneur finds her independence in downtown Farmington

"Ferndale has its little niche of quality food markets, and then obviously if you go down to Detroit there's so much incredible food. But we don't have that in Farmington yet so I really want to help connect people to great food experiences," says Lindsay Kennedy, owner of Dolcetto Cheese & Specialty Goods.

Feature Story Volunteers for Gleaners Community Food Bank at the Oakland County Farmers Market mobile distribution

A financial triple whammy for nonprofitsFeature: Nonprofit Journal Project

Inflation, a talent shortage, and the end of COVID-related support means nonprofits are facing particularly challenging times.  

Feature Story Chanel Domonique, Darylynn 'DeDe' Mumphord

Meet 3 women shaping Detroit's hip-hop renaissance

"Don't feel like it's not a space for you, because there is," advises Lauren "Lo" McGrier, who manages popular music venue El Club, as well as Detroit hip-hop talent. "You deserve to be in that room just as much as that other person..." 

Longform Conversations about hard topics like suicide can help prevent it.

Here's how Michigan's community mental health agencies are helping prevent youth suicide

Summit Pointe, Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, and other community mental health agencies provide youth access to services that help them overcome suicidal thoughts and self-harming actions.

Feature Story The Whitney

Detroit Writing Room brings an intimate author series to The Whitney

The Whitney series features six high-profile authors with Michigan ties, ranging from ProPublica investigative reporter Andy Kroll to Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and children’s book author Desiree Cooper. The stories speak of no-fear parenting, true-crime reporting, bold decision-making, personal endurance, and the celebration of home.

Feature Story The 25th annual Sterling Heights Cultural Exchange took place on Friday, Feb. 24.

PHOTOS: Scenes from this year's Sterling Heights Cultural Exchange

The 25th annual Sterling Heights Cultural Exchange took place on Friday, Feb. 24, at the Sterling Heights Community Center. We sent photographer David Lewinski to document this year's festival and his photos already have us looking forward to next year. Here's why.

 
Nonprofit leaders across southeast Michigan are contributing their thoughts via journal entries on how COVID-19 is affecting their organization. 
This series is made possible with the generous support of our partners, the Michigan Nonprofit Association and Co.ACT. Click here to read the journal entries.