DBusiness Daily Update: Feldman Automotive Children’s Miracle Celebrity Invitational Set for Aug. 29, and More

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies, including updates about the COVID-19 pandemic. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.

Feldman Automotive Children’s Miracle Celebrity Invitational Set for Aug. 29

Feldman Automotive Group will once again be the title sponsor of the Beaumont Health Foundation’s Feldman Automotive Children’s Miracle Celebrity Invitational to be played on Aug. 29 at the Detroit Golf Club.

The Feldman Automotive Children’s Miracle Celebrity Invitational is a celebrity golf event where every foursome is joined by one of 50 local and national celebrities from entertainment and sports.

Among the people expected to attend from the acting ranks include Mark Wahlberg and his brothers Donnie, Robert, Paul, and Jim, Jamie Hector, and Hisham Tawfiq. Boxers Gerry Cooney and Micky Ward are planning to play. NBA stars Otis Birdsong, Chris Mullin, and Pistons great Isaiah Thomas are expected. In addition to NFL Hall of Famer and Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson are NHL notables Coach Mike Keenan, Stefan Matteau, and Jeremy Roenik.

The complete field of celebrity golfers will be announced by Aug. 15.

The invitational provides a full day of golf on the courses of the Detroit Golf Club, hospitality, and a live auction of “over-the-top” experiences. All proceeds benefit the Children’s Miracle Network at Beaumont Children’s and the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation.

“We are looking forward to another million-dollar fundraising golf event that will host well-known celebrities from the worlds of entertainment and sports,” says Margaret Cooney Casey, president of the Beaumont Health Foundation. “Sponsors from last year’s event were thrilled with the celebrity pairings and were incredibly generous to support pediatric health programs and youth development initiatives. We are delighted that Mark Walberg, our title sponsor, Jay Feldman, and Beaumont’s partnership with Children’s Miracle Network continue to provide resources to grow this event supporting Beaumont Children’s and the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation.”

For event and sponsorship information, visit here.

Huntington Bank Reports $554M Increase in Q2 Net Income

Huntington Bancshares Inc. reported net income for the 2022 second quarter of $539 million, or $0.35 per common share, an increase of $554 million, or $0.40 per common share from the year-ago quarter.

In the 2022 second quarter, adjusted earnings per common share were $0.36, excluding $0.01 per common share of after-tax of Notable Items. Specifically, Notable Items included $19 million of after-tax acquisition-related expenses.

Return on average assets was 1.22 percent, return on average common equity was 12.8 percent, return on average tangible common equity (ROTCE) was 19.9 percent, and adjusted ROTCE was 20.6 percent.

“We were very pleased to deliver record earnings during the quarter as well as the early achievement of our medium-term financial goals,” says Steve Steinour, chairman, president, and CEO of Huntington. “The second quarter was marked by robust loan growth, increased average deposit balances, and 6 percent sequential revenue growth, benefited by higher interest rates. We achieved our targeted expense level as we completed the TCF cost synergies and delivered sustained positive operating leverage. This superb performance demonstrated the growth potential of the Huntington franchise as we drive top tier financial results for our shareholders.”

Accenture Launches Detroit New Apprentice Network

Accenture, the Irish technology company with an office in Detroit, is teaming up with major Detroit-area employers, community leaders, skilling partners, and elected officials to launch the Detroit New Apprentice Network Wednesday at the Detroit Pistons Performance Center.

The Detroit New Apprentice Network is a collective of Michigan-based employers, educators, civic organizations, and nonprofits who have teamed up to raise awareness of apprenticeships as a viable talent pipeline and help local businesses establish successful apprenticeship programs within their organizations.

Founding partners of the Detroit New Apprentice Network are Accenture, Aptiv, OneMagnify, and the state of Michigan. Other partners include Detroit at Work and the Detroit Regional Chamber.

The Detroit New Apprentice Network is committing to 500 apprenticeships in five years. It is Accenture’s eighth apprenticeship network in North America.

“I am excited to advance the apprenticeship movement in Detroit through the Detroit New Apprentice Network,” says Dan Garrison, office managing director of Accenture’s Detroit office. “Since the 2017 launch of Accenture’s internal apprenticeship program in Detroit, we’ve seen how apprenticeships are mutually beneficial for all involved: untapped talent pools seeking alternative career pathways and employers looking to develop their workforce for the needs of tomorrow.”

Kendra Quinlan, development director, Michigan Market for Accenture, says: “Through the Detroit New Apprentice Network, we’re scaling apprenticeship opportunities in new industries and bringing even more employers to the table to expand this win-win approach in Detroit and across Michigan.”

Beringea in Farmington Hills Exits Blis following LDC investment

Beringea, the transatlantic venture capital investor based in Farmington Hills and London, has exited its investment in Blis following a secondary transaction by LDC, a British private equity firm.

Beringea’s U.S. and U.K. funds both held equity stakes in the company. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Blis provides personalized digital targeting and performance without relying on personal data, serving up relevant ads to the highest-value, addressable audiences across any channel.

Beringea’s U.K. funds initially backed the business in 2008, before its U.S. funds co-led a 2012 investment round to catalyze further product development and international market growth, including expansion of its Midwestern U.S. presence. Beringea’s U.S. funds subsequently participated in a $25 million growth round in 2016, and the global investment team has provided support to strengthen Blis’ growth throughout its key sectors and geographies.

“Blis has pioneered the use of privacy-first ad targeting, an especially important feature as brands face unprecedented challenges to ad delivery in a ‘cookie-less’ environment,” says Charles Rothstein, founding partner of Beringea U.S. “We wish the Blis management team well as they continue their exciting plans for growth.”

Lily Hospice Care in Troy Launches New Virtual Reality Program

Lily Hospice in Troy has launched a new virtual reality program that will allow patients to have interesting experiences without leaving home.

The options with VR technology are endless, according to Lily Hospice founder Chris Warburton. Patients can scuba dive, take a walk-through Jerusalem, visit their childhood home, or tour their college campus.

“This VR program gives our patients the opportunity to have reminiscent experiences and do things they are no longer able to do,” Warburton says. “Maybe you never got to take that gondola ride — the one thing you’ve always wanted to do. Through this new program, we have a master social worker who controls the VR experience so that a patient can take that virtual ride in Venice.”

Lily Hospice Care is the only hospice center in Michigan offering a program like this one, according to Warburton. Another way Lily is utilizing technology is through an augmented reality dementia simulator so caregivers can experience what it’s like for their patients.

After implementing the VR program, Warburton and his team’s next project is to begin offering immersive experiences of events that patients had to miss out on — like church services or family members’ weddings.

“When our patients are confined to their beds and are unable to attend the events they want to, they experience a lot of frustration,” Warburton says. “But, with this program, we set up a 360-camera and a microphone, and hospice patients can put on a VR headset and feel like they’re there.”

Priority Health Launches New Health Navigation Solution PriorityGPS

Priority Health in Grand Rapids has launched PriorityGPS, an integrated health navigation and advocacy solution that will be delivered through a strategic partnership with Accolade in Seattle.

PriorityGPS is designed to alleviate the stress human resources professionals face as the go-between with employees and their benefits carriers by providing direct 1:1 help for employees. Through one point of contact, employees have access to appointment scheduling, benefits and coverage guidance, and various virtual care providers among several other benefits.

Through one point of contact employees can access:

• Health care navigation and advocacy — appointment scheduling and treatment decision support.
• Benefits and coverage guidance — cost estimation, prior authorization, and other benefits-related questions such as EAP or 401K programs.
• Condition management and prevention — nurse triage, virtual care, and proactive clinical intervention.

“Priority Health always strives to bring new opportunities to employers wanting to meet the needs of their employees and their health goals,” says Megan Schmidt, senior vice president of employer solutions at Priority Health. “Partnering with Accolade to create PriorityGPS is a great example of that kind of valued collaboration. This new product was designed with convenience and accessibility in mind, both for employers and employees, while continuing to provide the same high-quality care Priority Health is known for.”

Announced earlier this year, the strategic partnership between Priority Health and Accolade brings together virtual care services and personalized navigation capabilities to enable innovative solutions, like PriorityGPS, with a comprehensive support model for Priority Health members.

“We are excited to collaborate with Priority Health to offer a unique solution in Michigan to meet the needs of employers throughout the state,” says Kristin Herrera, executive vice president and general manager for health plan and enterprise channel at Accolade. “Our partnership and innovative approach bring simplicity to a complex health care system.”

For more information, visit here.

Applications Now Open for Downtown Detroit Markets Vendors

Bedrock and the Gilbert Family Foundation, in partnership with the Downtown Detroit Partnership, are inviting local entrepreneurs and small business owners to apply for a spot as a Downtown Detroit Market vendor.

As a vendor, the Downtown Detroit Markets provide entrepreneurs with a platform to showcase and sell their products in a diverse marketplace while experiencing a brick-and-mortar style retail establishment in the heart of downtown Detroit.

Eighteen businesses will be selected to set up shop in Cadillac Square from early November 2022 through the end of the year.

Applications are now open through Aug. 21 at 11:59 p.m. and are available here. All applicants will be notified of their selection in early September.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Food and beverage vendors must be able to provide grab-and-go offerings.
• Vendors must be selling a product. No service-based businesses.
• Products cannot contain/include alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or weapons.
• Vendors cannot be a current Bedrock retail tenant.
• Vendors cannot be currently employed by the Rocket Family of Cos.
• If selected, vendors must pay a one-time, upfront $1,500 payment to hold their space and one $1,000 payment throughout the season.

General Motors Awards $160K in Grants to Warren-area Nonprofits

The General Motors’ Global Technical Center in Warren has awarded grants totaling $160,000 to nonprofit organizations based near the automaker facility.

GM recognized the nonprofits on Wednesday morning, ahead of its annual employee car show at the Tech Center campus. Each of the nonprofits are working to improve the lives of Warren’s residents. They include:

• Advancing Macomb Foundation
• Clinton River Watershed Council
• Leaps and Bounds Family Services
• Macomb Science Olympiad
• Robotics Collaboration and Innovation Center
• Traffic Safety Association of Macomb County
• Winning Futures

An additional grant will be provided to an eighth nonprofit organization that is yet to be determined.

The grants were provided as part of GM’s Community Impact Grants program, which was created in 2010 to address local issues in communities across the company’s footprint. The Community Impact Grants program aligns with the company’s overarching giving priorities, which are focused on STEM education, vehicle and road safety, community development, and climate equity, as well as targeted investments that enhance the quality of life in facility communities around the world.

Consumers Energy Presents Prosperity Awards to Oxford, Muskegon Heights

The Consumers Energy Foundation in Jackson is providing $500,000 to help Oxford and Muskegon Heights start major downtown and community transformations. The two communities each will receive $250,000 from the foundation’s annual Prosperity Awards.

“These communities are committed to reinventing themselves and have developed plans to grow and prosper,” says Brandon Hofmeister, president of the Consumers Energy Foundation. “The Consumers Energy Foundation is proud to give them the support they need with these Prosperity Awards. These awards are designed to strengthen neighborhoods across the state and highlight our own commitment to Michigan’s businesses and communities.”

The two winning projects are:

• The Downtown Oxford Community Courtyards and Placemaking project will revitalize the downtown corridor by improving the exteriors and entrances of more than 100 businesses, as well as repurpose underused spaces for the community to gather and feel welcome.
• The Reaching NEW Muskegon Heights project will improve a central point of the city’s downtown, Rowan Park, making it an asset for residents and sparking further development in surrounding areas. Improvements to Rowan Park will include a splash pad, restrooms, fountain, and a promenade.

National Black Men in Leadership Summit Planned for Aug. 18

The Michigan Diversity Council (MIDC) is presenting the second National Black Men in Leadership Summit from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Aug. 18 at the Fort Pontchartrain Hotel in downtown Detroit.

The event, in partnership with the National Diversity Council (NDC), will focus on the theme “Resilient Leadership: Connection, Community and Contribution.”

“Despite progress over the years, Black men continue to be underrepresented in the C-suite, boards, and executive leadership teams,” says Dennis Kennedy, the founder and board chairman of the NDC. “It’s time to commit to increasing advancement opportunities for Black men in workplaces and communities.”

The hybrid conference is a leadership development event, gathering Black male professionals and allies across industries, job functions, and interests. The summit will feature a keynote by Cornel West, professor, philosopher, author, and activist. General panel discussions and breakout sessions will focus on leadership development and advancement topics.

For more information and to register for the event, visit here.

Michigan Chambers of Commerce to Host Joint Diversity Expo Event

The Troy Chamber of Commerce, Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce, and Miindia.com will host the first-ever Diversity Expo from 4-6 p.m. on July 26 at the Royal Oak Farmers Market (316 E. 11 Mile Road).

This new event provides an opportunity for minority, women, and veteran business owners and professionals to share their products and services, promote their businesses, and for others to support local, diverse-owned businesses.

“We are very excited to be joining with other local chambers of commerce to bring this event to life,” says Tara Tomcsik-Husak, president and CEO of the Troy Chamber. “This is the first event of its kind that we, or any other chamber, is hosting and we believe it will be a great opportunity to celebrate and support minority-, women-, and veteran-owned business owners and the impact they have on their cities.”

The cost is $5 for current and future Troy Chamber members who register early and $10 on July 26. To register, visit here. For more information call 248-641-8151 or e-mail: [email protected].

Gardner-White Teams with WOMC, Gleaners to Collect Food Items for Kids

Gardner-White and 104.3 WOMC are partnering with Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan for a community-wide No Kids Go Hungry food drive. Now through July 30, people can bring non-perishable food items to all 12 Gardner-White stores in metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Saginaw, and deposit them in designated collection boxes.

“We are a Michigan company deeply rooted in the communities we serve for more than 100 years, and when families struggle to put food on the dinner table, it’s in our DNA to help,” says Rachel Stewart, president of Gardner-White. “Our Gardner-White family wants every child to be happy and healthy, not worried about whether they have enough to eat.”

Individuals who make a food donation will receive a $50 discount coupon for Gardner-White. Suggested items of nutritious canned and dry goods include canned vegetables, spaghetti, beans, soups, meats, tuna fish, and fruit (no heavy syrup); peanut butter in plastic jars; healthy cereal and oatmeal; boxes of pasta, macaroni and cheese, and rice; pancake and baking mixes; and baby food and formula.

On the final day of the food drive, July 30, guests can meet 104.3 WOMC morning show co-host, JoAnne Purtan, at Gardner-White in Warren (6500 14 Mile Road) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Individuals dropping off a food donation can enter for a chance to win a pair of tickets to see Michael Bublé at Little Caesars Arena Oct. 10.

For more information, visit here.

‘Somerset Collection University’ to Host Tailgate Aug. 5

Somerset Collection in Troy will transform its North Grand Court into the ultimate tailgate for back-to-college preparation from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Aug. 5.

There will be music, tailgate-inspired food, and giveaways to get local student shoppers ready to step onto campus in style. Every student who registers for Somerset Collection University will get a $50 gift card that can be used at one of 31-plus participating stores.

Somerset Collection University is sponsored by Bank of America and The Suburban Collection, both of which will be offering college students career coaching and job opportunities. The Suburban Collection also will be raffling off a two-year car lease to all registered participants.

“Somerset Collection University is a great opportunity to celebrate with thousands of future leaders who are getting ready to return to class,” says Ron MacEachern, platform general manager at The Suburban Collection. “The Suburban Collection has a long history of sponsoring teachers in the communities we represent and now we can support students as well.  We are looking forward to answering any questions these future professionals might have regarding employment opportunities now and in the future.”

Students must register in advance for Somerset Collection University by visiting here.

Tickets on Sale for M1 Concourse’s Checkered Flag Ball Oct. 1

Tickets are on sale for the second Checkered Flag Ball taking place Oct. 1 to benefit M1 Concourse’s philanthropic arm, the Checkered Flag Challenge.

The evening at the M1 Event Center includes dining, dancing, live auction, live music, and a celebration of Shelby American’s 60th Anniversary when the Master of Motorsports Award will be presented to Peter Brock.

Known as one of the most influential automotive and motorsport designers, Brock was instrumental in the creation of such forward thinking machines as the Corvette Stingray and the Shelby Daytona Coupe. He was inducted this past spring into the Motorsport Hall of Fame of America for his work in the sport.

“Last year, we saw how being able to count on reliable transportation to access services made a real and positive impact on people’s lives and we want to do more,” says Terese Zlotoff, Checkered Flag Challenge board chair. “This evening raises the funds to expand our services, so we pay attention to all the details and design it as a not-to-miss event.”

Guests will enjoy a menu curated by Chef Zack Sklar, cutting-edge cuisine, and wines and spirits. Alan Turner and the Steel Horse Band will provide the music at an exclusive after party sponsored by McLaren Oakland overlooking M1’s performance track.

Last year the inaugural event sold-out and raised $100,000 for M1 Mobility, a new initiative created in partnership with Pontiac Community Foundation. Its mission is to provide multitier transportation solutions to ensure the people of the City of Pontiac have access to community programs and services.

This year several organizations have been added to those who will be part of M1 Mobility. They include Accent Pontiac, Center for Success, Dream Centers of Michigan, City of Pontiac, Oakland University, Sheriff PAL, and Identify Your Dream Foundation.

Sponsorships and tickets are available here.

Salvation Army Launches Love Beyond the Classroom Fundraising Campaign

The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit is kicking off its first Love Beyond the Classroom fundraising campaign presented by Toyota with a goal to raise $100,000 benefitting after school programs for Detroit youth.

From Aug. 1-14, all donations made to the nonprofit will be doubled and fully matched, dollar-for-dollar, thanks to a $50,000 matching donation from Toyota.

Love Beyond the Classroom will support after school programming at The Salvation Army’s three corps community centers in Detroit — Conner Creek, Temple, and Grandale. Together, the Detroit corps community centers serve more than 450 Detroit students throughout the school year.

The two-week fundraiser will be chaired by Alva Adams Mason, group director of multicultural business alliance strategy and multicultural dealer relations for Toyota Motor North America, and a Salvation Army National Advisory Board member.

“We believe an auto company can also be a vehicle for change,” says Adams Mason. “That’s why Toyota is proud to partner with nonprofit organizations in the dozens of communities where we operate. Investing in and creating better opportunities for Detroit communities and its youth improves their quality of life, builds lasting relationships and helps enrich society.”

Salvation Army supporters can donate by:

• Texting GIFT to 24365
• Visiting SAmetrodetroit.org and clicking DONATE
• Calling 877-SAL-MICH
• Sending a check made payable to The Salvation Army, to: 16130 Northland Dr., Southfield, MI 48075.