DBusiness Daily Update: Cranbrook’s Acheson Planetarium Re-opens After ‘Significant’ Upgrade, and More

Cranbrook’s Acheson Planetarium Re-opens After ‘Significant’ Upgrade

The Cranbrook Institute of Science has re-opened the Acheson Planetarium after a two-week closure and two-week testing period that saw “significant” upgrades to its software, computers, and projectors.

These improvements are designed to bring the planetarium back to the forefront of industry standard capabilities with a system typically seen only in theaters at least twice its size.

The upgrades were funded by the family of Michael and Adele Acheson, the Acheson Planetarium’s namesake with a history of support for the Cranbrook Institute of Science.

“As long as people continue to turn their eyes toward the sky, it is more important than ever to ensure that the experience we provide allows it to appear more clear and detailed than ever,” says Michael Stafford, Susan Flint Cooper Director of Cranbrook Institute of Science. “We are grateful to the Achesons for their support that allowed us to upgrade the planetarium, and their ongoing investment into igniting the curiosity of the patrons who choose to spend time at the Cranbrook Institute of Science.”

The Acheson Planetarium now features a state-of-the-art Digistar star projector manufactured by Evans & Sutherland, known for its simulation products. Digistar allows star fields and other images, videos, and media to be projected in stunning detail. These new enhancements, paired with the existing 5.1 surround sound system, deliver an immersive experience thanks to images that are brighter, crisper, and more color-saturated.

The upgrades enable the planetarium to showcase near real-time integration with the latest astronomy database that will allow Cranbrook astronomers to discuss and show the latest discoveries, including sunspots on the sun that are accurate in placement and number, corrected colors for planets like Neptune that are in line with the latest observations, crisper and brighter images with greater contrast and resolution, more than four million astronomical objects that are updated from a cloud-based atlas compilation and more.

For more information, visit here .

Downtown Detroit partnership to Host Second Party in the Park Aug. 15

The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) will host its second Party in the Park from 6:30-9:00 p.m. on Aug. 15 in Campus Martius Park. Contributions will benefit downtown Detroit parks and public spaces managed by the DDP.

The benefit also will celebrate Campus Martius Park being voted the No. 1 Public Square by USA Today readers. During the program, the organization will officially announce the renewal of the DDP’s management of current spaces and expanded trust partnership with the city of Detroit to steward more than a dozen public spaces.

“This summer event shines a light on the growth and history of the Downtown and particularly Campus Martius Park, the city’s centerpiece and gathering space,” says Eric B. Larson, CEO of the DDP. “The Party in the Park helps to keep our parks sustainable and vibrant for present and future generations.”

Attendees will enjoy premium networking with civic, corporate, and community leaders, live entertainment by the Dan Rafferty Band, hors d’oeuvres, specialty cocktails, and more.

For more information, visit here .

Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Care Network Expand Muscle and Joint Health Solutions

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network in Detroit will add a new, virtual program to its suite of musculoskeletal solutions as a coverage option in 2025.

The program offers members personalized plans to help meet their physical needs, goals and abilities, as well as dedicated support and convenient exercise therapy sessions.

In addition to extensive clinical guidance and advice from leading musculoskeletal specialists, eligible Blue Cross members now also will have access to Hinge Health, a digital clinic that offers personalized care for joint and muscle pain, including virtual exercise therapy sessions and dedicated support from licensed physical therapists and board-certified health coaches.

Eligible members can complete a short intake questionnaire about their condition history and once approved, are able to get moving in the Hinge Health app within minutes. The app guides members through a few movements to learn more about their pain, and a dedicated care team, which includes a physical therapist and a health coach, will develop a personalized care plan. Qualified members may also receive one-on-one coaching, an exercise kit and an FDA-cleared wearable device called Enso for additional pain relief without the need for drugs or surgery. Care plans include exercise therapy, educational content and behavioral guidance. Moreover, physicians are available for clinical escalations including for surgery decision support.

The program will be available to employer groups starting Jan. 1, 2025.

Alta Equipment Group in Detroit Joins Dealer Network of California’s Cyngn

Alta Equipment Group in Detroit, a purveyor of construction and material handling equipment, has joined the dealer network of California-based Cyngn Inc. and will begin selling the latter’s DriveMod Tugger, which bundles Cyngn’s autonomous vehicle technology with Motrec’s MT-160.

“Alta has an impressive record of sales, and we are thrilled to have Cyngn’s autonomous vehicles included in their catalog,” says Lior Tal, CEO of Cyngn. “Motrec’s industrial vehicles are renowned for their high towing capacity and reliability. With their extensive dealer coverage across North America, we are excited to equip Alta with the tools and training needed to offer our self-driving industrial vehicles to their customers. Their success is integral to our success.”

Alta’s decision to join Cyngn’s Dealer Network came after a summit at Cyngn’s Menlo Park headquarters, where key decision-makers experienced the company’s autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) firsthand.

ASM Global Awarded Contract Extension to Operate Huntington Place in Detroit

The Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) has awarded a contract extension to ASM Global, now in its second decade of managing Huntington Place in downtown Detroit, Michigan’s largest convention center and the 16th largest in the United States.

“In partnership with the DRCFA, ASM Global has been instrumental in positioning Huntington Place as a world-class meetings and conventions destination in the heart of Detroit, welcoming over a million annual visitors to high-profile events, such as the Detroit Auto Show,” says Bryan Crowe, CEO of DRCFA.

“ASM Global will play a vital role in supporting the DRCFA’s upcoming strategic initiatives, including the Convention Center Expansion Project and developing a new convention center hotel to maintain and bolster Detroit’s competitiveness in attracting major local, state, national and international events. They will also be key to generating new non-event revenue streams while continuously enhancing operational efficiencies to deliver an exceptional client experience.”

The venue hosted 146 events in 2023 with more than 457,000 attendees. The FY 2023 economic impact from the local, regional, and international attendees is calculated to be $303.1 million.

Corewell Health Names Among Best Companies for Multicultural Women in 2024

Corewell Health in Grand Rapids and Southfield has been named one of the 2024 Best Companies for Multicultural Women by Seramount, a strategic professional services and research firm focusing on inclusive workplaces.

The honor recognizes the top 80 companies nationally that create and use best practices in hiring, retaining and promoting multicultural women in the United States.

“At Corewell Health we value diversity and the inclusion of multicultural women leaders,” says Carlos Cubia, chief inclusion, equity, diversity, and sustainability officer at Corewell Health. “We believe in the importance of creating a safe and inclusive place where our patients, health plan members and community can see themselves represented by leaders and caregivers who look like them. We are thrilled to be recognized by Seramount as one of the 2024 Best Companies for Multicultural Women. Our goal is to continue to diversify our talent pool to better reflect the communities we serve.”

Community Financial Credit Union Launches Choose the Bear Initiative

Community Financial Credit Union in Plymouth Township is debuting its Choose the Bear movement, aimed at providing critical support to survivors of domestic violence.

Inspired by a recent social media trend where women overwhelmingly chose to face a bear rather than be left alone in the woods with a man, Choose the Bear symbolizes empowerment and safety for survivors seeking refuge from abusive relationships.

Developed in collaboration with First Step, a leading nonprofit agency specializing in services for victims of domestic and sexual violence, this initiative underscores Community Financial’s commitment to addressing economic abuse and assisting survivors in reclaiming their financial independence.

Choose the Bear aims to provide survivors with emergency financial assistance to facilitate their exit from abusive environments. It includes specialized financial services, such as the CloseEnuff cash flow boosting checking account, designed to rebuild financial autonomy and credit, and a compassionate team of trained professionals offering unwavering support throughout a survivor’s journey.

With one in five women in America experiencing sexual assault, and one in three suffering from domestic violence, this initiative addresses a pressing issue exacerbated by economic abuse, which traps many survivors in dangerous situations. Up to 99 percent of domestic violence cases involve economic abuse, underscoring the urgent need for intervention. Choose the Bear seeks to address this issue by leveraging Community Financial’s resources and expertise to offer resources and guidance for survivors to safely determine a path to recovery.

For more information, visit here .

Hudson-Webber Foundation Awards $2.6M in Grants to 10 Local Nonprofits

The Board of Trustees of the Hudson-Webber Foundation (HWF) in Detroit awarded new grants totaling $2.6 million to 10 select organizations responsible for driving positive change and leading empowering programs and initiatives that directly impact residents throughout metro Detroit.

Organizations receiving funding are Belle Isle Conservancy, CHN Housing Partners, Children’s Foundation, Detroit Cultural Center Initiative, Detroit Sound Conservancy, Down Payment Assistance Program, Joe Louis Greenway Partnership, Michigan Future Inc., Michigan’s Thanksgiving Parade, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. The funding enables new and ongoing projects to address the evolving needs of Detroit communities, while also enhancing the impact of the Foundation’s traditional funding strategies.

“The Hudson-Webber Foundation is deeply honored to support these exceptional partners, who are leading impactful projects that directly benefit our community,” says Donald Rencher, president and CEO of the Hudson-Webber Foundation. “Our investment in these organizations underscores our unwavering commitment to driving positive change in Detroit.

“These organizations embody the very best of Detroit, each demonstrating a steadfast dedication to enhancing the lives of our residents. By collaborating with these organizations, we are investing in initiatives that address critical needs, foster community development and promote a growing and inclusive Detroit.”

Michigan Legacy Credit Union Wins Xtend Award

Michigan Legacy Credit Union in Wyandotte has been awarded Xtend’s 2024 Randy Karnes Credit Union Collaboration of the Year Award.

The award, created in 2022 by the Xtend board of directors to honor retiring CU Answers CEO Randy Karnes, celebrates a credit union that demonstrates exceptional performance and a commitment to collaborative efforts within the financial cooperative sector. Selected for an outstanding commitment to cooperation and collaboration.

“We are thrilled and humbled to receive this prestigious award,” says, Carma Peters, president and CEO of the Michigan Legacy CU. “Knowing the legacy behind this award makes it an incredibly distinguished honor for our team. We firmly believe that the credit union industry is the best industry in the world, and this recognition underscores the importance of collaboration in achieving our mission.”

The award reinforces Michigan Legacy Credit Union’s position as a leader in fostering cooperative values and delivering outstanding financial services to its members. Michigan Legacy Credit Union serves its members through five physical locations in Wyandotte, Flat Rock, Pontiac, Highland, and Warren, as well as a virtual video branch.

Baker College Commits to Affordable Education Amid Rising Tuition Rates at Other Institutions

Baker College is standing on its commitment to assist students with receiving a quality education at an affordable rate. As previously announced, initiatives for affordability and accessibility continue.

Guided by its student-first philosophy, Baker College continues its commitment to providing accessible and quality education by implementing a simplified and transparent tuition model, along with various scholarship opportunities. Baker continuously aims to remove barriers between students and their educational goals and keep it affordable.

Undergraduate tuition for most programs are $13,500 for a 30 credit-hour year, one of the lowest tuition compared to other state universities. At only $450 per credit hour, the rates are consistent whether you’re learning on-campus or online. The BeFreeTuition Guarantee has also been enhanced to provide even greater accessibility. Eligible students who qualify for the maximum Pell Grants can now take advantage of this program with ease. In addition, the deadline was eliminated, there’s no Michigan residency requirement, and the qualifying GPA was lowered. Plus, there are free housing opportunities on select campuses (Cadillac, Owosso, and Port Huron).

There is still time to register for classes starting Aug. 26. Prospective students are encouraged to reach out to the admissions team at getenrolled@baker.edu or 855-487-7888 to explore scholarship options. Current students seeking scholarship opportunities can contact an advisor at onestop@baker.edu or 833-691-7867. For questions regarding financial aid specifically, contact financialaid@baker.edu or 989-729-3911. Learn more about tuition and scholarships for which you may qualify.

Detroit PAL to Host Second Girls Changing the Game Breakfast and Fundraiser

Detroit PAL is announcing the return of its Girls Changing the Game Breakfast, after a positive response to last year’s inaugural event. The breakfast will take place from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Aug. 14 at the Corner Ballpark Presented by Adient (1680 Michigan Ave.) in Detroit.

The event is a morning of celebrating women who are redefining sports marketing and athletic leadership, as well as inspiring younger generations who may be considering similar career paths.

The speaker panel will feature Asia Gholston, vice president of marketing for the Detroit Tigers; Emily Griffin, senior vice president of marketing and brand for the Detroit Lions; Alicia Jeffreys, chief marketing officer for the Detroit Pistons; and Erika Wallace, athletic director at Wayne State University. It will be moderated by Rochelle Riley, director of arts and culture for the city of Detroit.

For more information and tickets, visit detroitpal.org .

The post DBusiness Daily Update: Cranbrook’s Acheson Planetarium Re-opens After ‘Significant’ Upgrade, and More appeared first on DBusiness Magazine .