Michigan

5:47

Creating Accessibility to Entrepreneurs

There are 582 million entrepreneurs in the world. Less than 2% of venture capital funding goes to Black and Brown founders. Monica Wheat, Managing Director of Techstars and Executive Director of Venture Catalysts discusses the importance of creating equitable access to entrepreneurs.

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5:48

Coming Back From the Pandemic Reimagined

A recent study found that the number of U.S. active business owners dropped from 15 million to 11.7 million from February to April. The study cited that Black-owned small businesses were hardest hit, followed by Hispanic- and Asian American-owned small businesses. Dominique Hamlett, Co-Owner of Detroit Dance Center joins host Laurel Hess to talk about how the Comcast RISE award has helped to reimagine the Dance Center after the pandemic.

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5:50

Providing Rides to Medical Care Appointments

In Greater Lansing, 70% of the children who rely on the local subspecialty clinics for treatment of serious health illnesses clinics are on Medicaid. Poor transportation options contribute to their missing 60% of their medical appointments. Pam Riley Miklavcic, Founder and CEO of The Davies Project discusses the importance of getting children to medical appointments and how her organizationis helping to make this happen.

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6:42

Helping Young Girls to Realize Their Self Worth

According to the Michigan census, youth under the age of 18 make up approximately 21% of Michigan’s population. Theresa Randleman, Founder of T. Rose Foundation discusses how she is empowering young underprivileged girls under the age of 18.

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6:06

Bringing a Community Up Through Education

They are preparing students to utilize 21^st century skills. Chris Meagher, Chairman of ITA discusses how ITA is supporting high achievingstudents in economically depressed areas.

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5:56

Conserving the History of Minorities in Media

In 1975, the nation’s first black-owned and operated television station, WGPR-TV 62 went on air and launched the careers of several African American media professionals. Joe Spencer, President of WGPR-TV Historical Society joins host Laurel Hess to discuss the importance of conserving the history of the first black owned and operated television station in the United States.

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6:02

Removing Barriers for Latinos

It is estimated that the Latino community makes up around 24% of the Holland population. Johnny Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Latin Americans United for Progress joins host Laurel Hess to talk about how they are empowering Latinos to make a better community for all.

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4:45

Creating Resources to Better Serve Black Businesses

Black Entrepreneurs only access 3% of $30 Billion in SBA backed loans and 1% of $108 Billion of Venture Capital Invested. Jamiel Robinson, Founder and CEO of Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses (GRABB) joins host Laurel Hess to discuss how they are helping to bridge the gap to capital access for Black-owned businesses.

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6:33

The Economic Impact of Latinos in Michigan

According to the 2020 U.S. Census,Hispanics and Latinos make up 5.6% of Michiganresidents, up from 4.4% in 2010. Dr. Isabel Montemayor-Vazquez, Executive Director of the Hispanic Latino/Commission of Michigan joins host Laurel Hess to talk about the impact that Latinos are having on Michigan's economy.

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5:06

Empowering the Hispanic Latino Community

Latinos represent 16% of the Grand Rapids population and constitute the largest minority group in the city. Evelyn Esparza-Gonzalez – Executive Director, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan joins host Laurel Hess to talk about how they are supporting the Hispanic /Latino community in Western Michigan.

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5:15

Making the Outdoors Inclusive for Everyone

According to the CDC about 12 percent of adults in Michigan have a disability impacting their mobility. Ron Olson, Chief of Parks and Recreation for the State of Michigan joins host Laurel Hess to discuss how the State of Michigan is making the outdoors inclusive for everyone.

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5:57

Keeping Students Safe in School

They are using American-bred scent detection dogs to protect schools, hospitals, businesses, public venues, and more. Greg Guidice, President and CEO of Elite Detection K9 joins Laurel Hess to discuss how they are using K9's to protect our communities.

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5:41

Learning through literacy

According to the U.S. National Center for Education Statistics, 34% of students are below basic reading level in the fourth grade. Andrea Meyer, Executive Director of the Center for Success Network joins host Laurel Hess to discuss how literacy is bigger then reading.

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5:57

Supporting working families and lifting people out of poverty

According to recent studies, the child poverty rate in Michigan is still nearly 19% statewide, and higher than the state rate in 45 of the state’s 83 counties. The Michigan League for Public Policy is working to help support working families and lift people out of poverty. They are working to increase the state Earned Income Tax Credit to help put more money in the pockets of families struggling to pay for basic necessities.

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5:54

Helping People to Better Understand Each other through the arts

African-American art is a broad term describing art created by Americans who also identify as Black. The Carr Center is celebrating 30 years of the African and African American Culture arts tradition. Oliver Ragsdale, Jr., President of The Carr Center joins host Laurel Hess to discuss how they are making people aware of the wide range of culture that exists in the world and our community.

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5:36

Changing lives for those that are visually impaired

According to the CDC, approximately 12 million people 40 years and over in the United States have vision impairment. Leader Dogs for the Blind is helping to make a difference in the lives of those that are visually impaired. Beth Slade, Director of Philanthropy for Leader Dogs for the Blind joins host Laurel Hess to discuss the different programs that are offered.

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MICHIGAN SEGMENTS (174)