Southwest Detroit Business Association to host Annual Community Investment Breakfast, Sept. 22
DETROIT – The Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA) will host its 2022 Community Investment Breakfast (CIB) from 8 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 22 at The Corner Ballpark, located at 1680 Michigan Ave., Detroit.
The annual event, which brings together hundreds of business owners, community leaders, entrepreneurs and residents, will celebrate the nonprofit’s more than 65 years of service to the Southwest Detroit community. WDIV TV 4 Reporter and Anchor Jason Colthorp will serve as the master of ceremonies.
“For nearly 70 years SDBA has led community, economic, and small business development in Southwest Detroit,” said SDBA Interim President & CEO Alicia Ramon.
“As a lead convener, we believe the key to the future of powering Southwest Detroit’s economic engine is to strengthen small businesses, accelerate economic growth, and fiercely advocate for inclusive and equitable systems that cultivate healthy and thriving neighborhoods.”
Annual Community Investment Breakfast will be held during Hispanic Heritage Month
This year’s event will take place during Hispanic Heritage Month and will feature a panel discussion that will address The Future of Powering Southwest Detroit’s Economic Engine featuring: Mary Culler, President, Ford Motor Company Fund; David Egner, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ralph C. Wilson Foundation; and RJ King, Editor, dbusiness Magazine and Camille Walker Banks, Executive Director, LISC Detroit.
How equitable and inclusive developments and strategic community investments contribute toward sustainable economic growth, improve the quality of life for local communities, and create an environment for public and private investment.
Each year at the CIB, the SDBA board and staff honor local business and community leaders who have helped make Southwest Detroit the vibrant, growing community it is today. The honorees consist of local business owners and community leaders who have demonstrated a high level of professional and personal success, helping to positively impact the Southwest Detroit community. The 2022 awards ceremony will honor individuals in three categories:
The Real Estate Development Award, recognizes individuals or businesses whose entrepreneurial spirit and leadership advance community resilience with sustainable building and equitable neighborhood engagement, will be presented to Luis Ali & Tanya Saldivar-Ali, Co-Founders & Business Development Director, AGI Construction, LLC.
The Business Development & Southwest Champion Award, which recognizes an individual or business whose collaborative leadership and entrepreneurial mindset (or spirit) brings together community, business, and elected leaders to strengthen local economies, preserve historic assets, and work together to bring a collective voice for Southwest Detroit., will be presented to Michael Odom, Vice President of Marx Layne & Company and former SDBA Chairman of the Board.
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The Kathy Wendler Award, which recognizes an individual or business whose fierce advocacy and body of work exemplifies the mission and values of SDBA, and who has had a transformational impact on Southwest Detroit’s resurgence, will be presented to Theresa Zajac, Retired SDBA Vice President.
The Presenting Sponsor for the 2022 Community Investment Breakfast is Marathon Petroleum. We have had a long standing and amazing relationship with Marathon, who like SDBA, are committed to a vibrant, inclusive, and economically thriving Southwest Detroit. The Revitalization Sponsors are The Ford Fund, Levy Group, Huntington Bank and James Group.
