How JPMorgan Chase’s Advancing Black Pathways Looks to Help MBEs Grow
In response to the pandemic’s devastating impact on minority-owned businesses and the social justices that mainstream America woke up to last year, JPMorgan Chase announced a five-year $30 billion commitment in October 2020 to provide economic opportunity to Black and Latinx communities. That commitment to Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) includes greater access to capital, coaching, technical assistance and a pledge to boost spending with Black and Latinx suppliers by an additional $750 million.As the head of Advancing Black Pathways, a strategy aimed at strengthening the economic foundation
DTE Energy Names Joi Harris as President of DTE Gas
DTE Energy announced the appointment of Joi Harris as president of DTE Gas, the company’s natural gas utility serving 1.3 million residential and business customers across its service territory. Harris, a 30-year veteran of DTE, has a long history with DTE Gas. She started shadowing engineers at the age of 15, before becoming a company co-op at 18. She climbed the ladder, serving in a number of leadership positions within the organization, rising to the rank of vice president, and most recently as senior vice president of the
Lottie Holland — Diversity In the New Era
By Megan Kirk Diversity, equity, and inclusion have recently become the center of several corporate conversations in light of an uptick in racial justice issues. George Floyd being one of the pivotal cases causing change, many businesses have pledged to increase their diversity initiatives to be more inclusive and representative of the communities they serve. Stellantis is making strides to positively impact minority communities and create a diverse talent pipeline in the process. Named Head of Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles of North America in May
CVS Health names Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun as Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer
CVS Health announced that Joneigh Khaldun, M.D., MPH, FACEP has joined the company as Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer. She will report to Kyu Rhee, M.D., MPP, Senior Vice President and Aetna Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Khaldun will lead the strategy to advance health equity for patients, members, providers, customers, and communities served across all lines of the CVS Health business. She and her team will focus on culturally competent care delivery, ensuring it is fully integrated into the design and development of clinical and population
HBCU Pensole Lewis College Of Business & Design Geared to Serve Black Creatives in Detroit
By Sherri Kolade Dr. D’Wayne Edwards is broadening his academic footprint locally with the first-ever reopening of an HBCU located in Detroit. Edwards, founder of PENSOLE Design Academy in Portland, Oregon (also the controlling stockholder of the previously shuttered HBCU, Lewis College of Business in Detroit) spoke on Tuesday, October 12 at a press conference on the college grounds announcing plans to reopen the college as PENSOLE Lewis College of Business and Design (PLC). During the press conference, people gathered to hear the plans of Edward’s vision that he is
New Faces, High Places Reception Welcomes New Black Leadership Geared to Help Strengthen Detroit
https://vimeo.com/603037143 By Sherri Kolade Detroit — known for its resilience, agility, upwardly mobile entrepreneurship sector, and unflappable residents — is also seeing a resurgence when it comes to attracting non-native Black movers and shakers to the area. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome them to Detroit. The Michigan Chronicle and Real Times Media (RTM), alongside approximately 80 of the city’s current power players, recently officially welcomed the newest Black C-suite leaders who now call Detroit home at the New Faces, High Places welcome reception in late August. “Our annual New Faces event is important because it
Jackson State University President Promotes HBCU Legacy in Detroit with Saturday Fundraiser
Jackson State University President Thomas K. Hudson visited Detroit on Saturday, July 31 for a funding-raising event for the historically Black university located in Jackson, Mississippi. By Sherri Kolade Jackson State University, a historically Black college/university, has been changing the lives of thousands of students since it opened its doors in 1877. The HBCU, which has undergone seven name changes, was founded as Natchez Seminary in 1877 by the American Baptist Home Mission Society, according to the school’s website. Jackson State University has since expanded and flourished as an HBCU, and
Leading Black Media Company Real Times Media and its Michigan Chronicle to Host GM Chairman & CEO Mary Barra for Pancakes & Politics
Discussion will focus on company’s efforts to engage Black and brown consumers Wednesday, June 9 at 2 p.m. DETROIT — June 4, 2021 — On Wednesday, June 9 at 2 p.m., Michigan Chronicle’s Pancakes & Politics series will feature General Motors CEO Mary Barra. Following the untimely death of George Floyd, GM’s leadership committed to doing the challenging but necessary work to strengthen diversity, equity and inclusion at GM and beyond. A year later, Barra will discuss the automaker’s progress and strategic plan to improve relationships and engagements with
Quentin L. Messer, Jr. Appointed Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation Executive Committee today named Quentin L. Messer, Jr. as MEDC CEO. The announcement comes following a national search led by the organization’s Executive Committee that included a needs analysis for the role and input from stakeholders statewide on key attributes the position required for success. “We work hard every day to bring good jobs to Michigan and support strong communities across our state through the critical work of the MEDC. Quentin brings a wealth of experience to this role and a clear passion
MassMutual Great Lakes and First Independence Bank Announce Strategic Alliance Expanding Insurance And Investment Access
MassMutual Great Lakes (MMGL), a Southfield-based firm offering a wide range of financial products and services, is pleased to announce a strategic alliance with Detroit-based First Independence Bank (FIB), the only African American-owned bank headquartered in Michigan and the 7th largest in the country. The alliance will enhance FIB’s ability to provide comprehensive financial services to its retail and commercial clients in Detroit and nationwide, many of whom have been historically underrepresented when it comes to accessing these services. “At MassMutual Great Lakes, we believe every individual, small business