After 25 Years of Telling Detroit’s Story to the World, Rochelle Riley is Heading to South Carolina
For a quarter-century, Rochelle Riley has built an address book of contacts across Michigan that, if compiled in print, would probably rival that of the old Yellow Pages that used to drop on our doorsteps annually. Through these connections, Riley has been able to find the right person for the right job at every level, be it for correcting a bank error at her preferred financial institution or assembling a mass tribute to victims of the COVID-19 epidemic on Belle Isle. In the days leading up to
First Independence Bank taps Caroline Chambers to lead new community investment foundation
A bank with a long history of serving communities too often locked out of mainstream financial opportunity is preparing to widen that work through a new foundation, and it is placing that effort in the hands of a leader whose career has centered philanthropy, inclusion, and community partnership. First Independence Bank announced the appointment of Caroline Chambers as Director of Community Investments, a new leadership role that puts her at the center of building the bank’s charitable foundation. That foundation, expected to officially launch later this year, is
OHM Advisors names Kelly Jackson VP of Human Resources
Architecture, engineering and planning firm OHM Advisors has promoted longtime Human Resources Director Kelly Jackson as the company’s first vice president of human resources. “People are the foundation of any successful business, and over the last three decades, Kelly has been crucial in building and expanding that foundation,” said OHM President Jon Kramer. “Since the firm’s inception, we have grown from fewer than 100 people working in one building to nearly 1,000 employees across eight states. Over the past 30+ years, Kelly has been instrumental in shaping and supporting the continuity of our
Clarinda Barnett-Harrison Becomes First Woman CEO of Detroit Wayne Joint Building Authority
Detroit Wayne Joint Building Authority has a new leader — and a first. Board commissioners have appointed Clarinda Barnett-Harrison as chief executive officer, making her the first woman to hold the top job at the Detroit Wayne Joint Building Authority, the public body responsible for stewardship of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. In the role, Barnett-Harrison will work with the Authority’s Board of Commissioners and oversee facilities management and capital improvement programs tied to the municipal center. The building houses major public functions for Detroiters and Wayne County
From Jail to Judge, From Screen to Stage: Judge Greg Mathis Brings His Life Story Home to Detroit
When famed and critically acclaimed judge Greg Mathis steps onto the stage at Detroit’s historic Music Hall on January 16 and 17, it will represent the culmination of a life journey that many once believed would end behind prison walls. For more than 26 years, Mathis has been a familiar face to millions through his groundbreaking television courtroom show, becoming the longest-running African American host in television history. Yet the man Detroit knows as “Judge Mathis” says the upcoming stage production, Don’t Judge Me, reveals layers of his story that audiences have never fully
Christa Stephens Expands Global ‘Amazon of Business Solutions’ for Entrepreneurs, Small Businesses and Nonprofits
TymFlo, a fast-growing, minority and woman-owned global business solutions company, is soon marking six years of helping entrepreneurs simplify operations, scale smarter, and save time with an all-in-one ecosystem of tech-powered services. Founded in 2020 at the height of the pandemic by Christa Stephens, TymFlo has rapidly become a go-to resource for entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and small businesses seeking streamlined, affordable, and innovative support. Designed as an “Amazon of Business Solutions,” TymFlo (“Tym” = Your time back. “Flo” = Systems that move without friction.) provides a comprehensive suite of services, ncluding
Detroit Transportation Corporation Appoints Cliff Powell as New Transit Police Chief
The Detroit Transportation Corporation (DTC) has appointed Cliff Powell as the new Chief of Transit Police, a move that strengthens the city’s commitment to safety and community engagement within its growing transit system. With over 35 years of experience in law enforcement, including two decades with the Detroit Police Department, Powell’s leadership comes at a crucial time as the People Mover serves over one million passengers in 2025, contributing to the city’s efforts to revitalize and modernize its transportation network. Chief Powell’s extensive experience positions him well to manage
Renowned Detroit Artist J.R. Strozier Brings Community and Service to Life Through Art
By Jermaine Lytle, Contributing Writer Over the last decade, Detroit natives have had a front row seat to economic development that has transformed everything from pockets of real estate in the area to its buzzing art community. Among its natives are creative movers and shakers who are committed to playing an integral role in Detroit’s continued development, understanding the need for reciprocity and service to a place that has given so much to them. JeRon “J.R.” Strozier is one of those creatives. The Detroit-born father of four has built a multi-faceted career as an artist who paints, sculpts,
Detroit Man’s Split-Second Instinct Turns into Heroic Moment for 6-Year-Old Girl
On the cold morning of Dec. 8, in Detroit, as most of the city eased into its beginning-week routines, 32-year-old Joshua Threatt was simply heading home from the store. He wasn’t looking to stand in the glare of national attention. He wasn’t planning to go viral. He was thinking about coffee, work, and the day ahead. But within minutes, those plans would be swept aside by a moment that demanded instinct, courage, and – perhaps most importantly – empathy. “It was just like God put me there at the right place at the right time,” Threatt recalled. His voice is steady retelling the story,
Detroit’s ‘Mr. Basketball’ Darius Acuff Jr. Returns Home to Host Free Camp
On Tuesday, Dec. 23, one of the country’s most exciting young basketball talents will return to his hometown to give back to the next generation of players. Darius Acuff Jr., a freshman guard for the Arkansas Razorbacks and one of the top players in the 2025 recruiting class, will lead a free basketball camp at the ACC Youth Center on Seven Mile Road. The event, open to local youth, offers an opportunity for campers to develop skills, learn fundamentals, and play the game alongside a rising star who