DBusiness Daily Update: Bedrock to Present Black Food & Wine Experience in September, and More

Bedrock to Present Black Food & Wine Experience in September

The Black Food & Wine Experience (BFWE) will make its Detroit debut Sept. 12-14 with three ticketed downtown events and an invite-only dinner highlighting the talents of Black entrepreneurs across the culinary, hospitality, and beverage industries.

Founded by Aminah “Chef Mimi” Robinson-Briscoe in Oakland, Calif. in 2016, BFWE showcases and celebrates Black excellence and the delightful fusion of flavors and rich heritage featured in food, wine and cocktails inspired by African Diaspora.

“After starting the Black Food & Wine Experience in Oakland eight years ago, the event has become an annual success, and we are thrilled to expand to Detroit this year,” Robinson-Briscoe says. “My goal for this event is to showcase the beauty of Detroit’s unique, rich history of Black culture through the celebration of food, wine and craft cocktails.”

Presented by Bedrock, Detroit’s Black Food & Wine Experience will kick off Sept. 12 at Book Tower with a reception for chefs, restaurant owners, winemakers, hospitality patrons, culinary enthusiasts, and more to immerse themselves in Detroit’s rich cultural and culinary heritage.

The following day at One Campus Martius, The Black Food & Beverage Summit will provide a forum for insightful dialogues and networking opportunities, featuring esteemed speakers and industry leaders discussing themes of empowerment, entrepreneurship, and economic advancement in the food and beverage industries for Black and diverse entrepreneurs.

The invite-only Black Renaissance Dinner Friday night will highlight the culinary prowess of chefs from the Diaspora. The experience will conclude on Sept. 14 at State Savings Bank with The Grand Tasting, a tasting experience where guests can embark on a sensory journey through an eclectic selection of cuisines representing the African Diaspora, complemented by exquisite Black-owned wines and spirits. Renowned local chefs and culinary experts will create an unforgettable tasting experience, showcasing the richness and diversity of Black culinary arts.

Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite cocktail attire paired with designer sneakers.

For more information, visit BlackFoodWineExperience.com .

Bank of America Announces 2024 Detroit Student Leaders

Bank of America has selected five metro Detroit-area high school students to join its 2024 Student Leaders interns for an eight-week paid summer internship connecting students to employment, skills development, and service nationwide.

These community-minded students will gain practical work and life experience while working with local nonprofits, all while earning competitive wages.

This summer, Tanya Caldaza (Cass Tech), Jason Howard (Madison High School), Maria Nido (Troy High School), Nisha Singhi (International Academy Central), and Alexander Villagomez (Cass Tech) will participate in programming that includes a collaborative, mentor-focused project with Focus: HOPE. They will experience the vital role nonprofits play in advancing community health and the importance of public-private partnerships. Later this summer, the students also will travel to Washington, D.C. for a week-long, all expenses paid, national leadership summit to learn how nonprofits, governments and businesses collaborate to meet local needs.

“The Bank of America Student Leaders program is designed to unlock the potential of these exceptional students and better prepare them to be the leaders of tomorrow,” says Star Crawford, market executive, Bank of America Michigan. “Together, they exemplify hard work, dedication and drive. Thanks to our partners at Focus: HOPE, they are experiencing first-hand the power of community service and leadership. Congratulations to all five of these talented students.”

Report: Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, University of Michigan Health Tie for Top Hospital in Michigan

Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak and University of Michigan Health in Ann Arbor have share recognition as the top hospitals in Michigan, according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals Rankings for 2024-2025. The ranking system, now in its 29th year, is designed to help patients choose the best care venues.

“Providing high-quality and compassionate care to everyone is what matters at Corewell Health, and it’s wonderful to receive these recognitions at a national and state level,” says Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Corewell Health. “I am so proud of our team members and their dedication to provide simple, affordable, equitable and exceptional care and coverage. Together, we are making health better.”

Overall, five Corewell Health Hospitals were ranked in the top eight in the state. They include Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak (tied for 1), Corewell Health’s Blodgett & Butterworth Hospitals (3), Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital (5), Corewell Health Dearborn Hospital (tied for 8), and Corewell Health Beaumont Grosse Pointe Hospital (tied for 8).

For more information, visit here .

Plante Moran in Southfield Promotes 25 New Partners and Two New Affiliated Entity Members

Plante Moran in Southfield, one of the nation’s largest certified public accounting, tax, consulting and wealth management firms, has promoted the following 25 new partners and two affiliated entity members:

• Matthew Bohdan, risk and accounting advisory services, Southfield
• Eric Bowers, Plante Moran Financial Advisors, East Lansing
• Amanda Carrigan, risk and accounting advisory services, Denver Tech Center
• Alicia Cole, wealth management, Detroit
• Ben Cote, tax, Denver Tax Center
• Adam Counts, assurance, Southfield
• Ryan Defer, tax, Chicago
• Stephen Eckert, tax, Chicago
• Ryan Fedricks, Plante Moran Financial Advisors, Auburn Hills
• Alan Gallatin, tax, Southfield
• Jonathan Grossman, Plante Moran Trust, Chicago
• Dana Hullinger, tax, Southfield
• Curt Hurd, assurance, Southfield
• Rachelle Jeselnik, tax, Chicago
• Matthew Keigher, assurance, Auburn Hills
• Chad McCoy, tax, Chicago
• Amber Mitchell, assurance, Cincinnati
• Sara Montgomery, wealth management, Denver Tech Center
• Zack Otte, Plante Moran Realpoint Investment Advisors, Denver Tech Center
• Stephen Palmer, tax, Columbus
• Laura Parish, tax, Chicago
• Shawn Riley, Plante Moran Financial Advisors, Southfield
• Mark Sommerfeld, tax, Grand Rapids
• Justin Switzer, tax, Ann Arbor
• Colin Taggart, cybersecurity, Southfield
• Alisha Taranek, tax, Ann Arbor
• Jessica Wiltjer, tax, Grand Rapids

“We’re excited to welcome these incredible professionals to our partner group,” says Jason Drake, managing partner of Plante Moran. “This group of leaders has already added so much value to the firm and there is no doubt they’ll continue to contribute to Plante Moran’s overall growth, success and culture.”

Vijay Singh Set to Defend Title at The Ally Challenge in Grand Blanc in August

Tournament officials announced today that The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren has accepted the commitment of major champion Vijay Singh to defend his title the week of Aug. 19-25 at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc, south of Flint.

Joining Singh in this year’s field is Jim Furyk, the 2020 champion of The Ally Challenge; second-year PGA Tour Champions player Boo Weekley; and eight-time PGA Tour Champions winner Stephen Ames for the seventh edition of the official PGA Tour Champions stop.

Tickets for The Ally Challenge can be purchased here . Several ticket options are available. The tournament is open to spectators from Thursday (Aug. 22) to Sunday (Aug. 25) and ticket prices start at $15. Children 17 and younger receive free grounds access with a ticketed adult. For a complete listing of ticket options and all other information, visit the tournament website .

Great American Blueberry Challenge Inspires Blueberry Fanatics

The Great American Blueberry Challenge, which kicked off at the start of the month to inspire blueberry lovers nationwide to share creative ways to grab a boost of blue, culminated in the first-ever blueberry eating championship July 13 in Grand Rapids.

USHBC, in partnership with Major League Eating, invited professional competitive eaters from across the country to gather in west Michigan to eat as many blueberries as possible in the span of eight minutes, setting a world record of 18.475 pounds.

Patrick Bertoletti took the top prize in the competition, earning a cash prize as well as the inaugural title of blueberry eating champion. A total of 82.769 pounds of blueberries were devoured by the competitors during the event, with a final ranking as follows:

• First place: Patrick Bertoletti, 18.475 pounds
• Second place: Geoffrey Esper, 16.044 pounds
• Third place: James Webb, 15.319 pounds
• Fourth place: Nick Wehry, 12.600 pounds
• Fifth place: Gideon Oji, 12.569 pounds

The Great American Blueberry Challenge eating championship took place during the Advil Targeted Relief Major League Pickleball (MLP) Mid-Season Tournament, as part of USHBC’s partnership with MLP. Also featured at the event were special guest officiants Shelly Hartmann, chair of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, blueberry grower and owner of True Blue Farms in Michigan; and professional pickleball player Anna Bright of the MLP St. Louis Shock.

To learn more about blueberries and explore delicious recipes, swaps and other inspiration, visit Blueberry.org .

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