The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below.
Sarah Gelinas
I knew from a young age that I wanted music to be a big part of my life. Growing up, my dad was in a rock band, and every night he would sit down to write lyrics for the songs his band would eventually record. Some of my favorite memories are sneaking out of bed to write lyrics with him. Read more>>
Giovana Gogola
I’ve always loved studying the English language, so my journey began when I decided to pursue a degree in English Linguistics and Literature. After starting university, I began teaching English at language schools in 2018, and I quickly fell in love with teaching. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, we had to move our classes online and record video lessons for our students. Read more>>
James ‘Osotrari’ Washington
BeShroomed Farms emerged in 2023 to meet the growing need of medicinal mushrooms and mushroom products in our community. Read more>>
Jannah G
I grew up in a musical family where music was simply a part of everyday life. Some of my earliest memories are singing hymns in church, playing handbells in the choir, and soaking up everything from Disney songs and classic rock to ’80s, ’90s, and funk music. Read more>>
Tricia Jamerson
I’ve always been passionate about helping people grow and reach their potential. My background is in business, project management, and organizational strategy, where I’ve spent years leading large-scale initiatives, culture programs, and process improvement efforts in corporate America. At the same time, I’ve built businesses, written books, led communities, and developed programs focused on personal and professional growth. Read more>>
Cassandra “Bella LaRue” Cannon
My story starts at age three with my cousin Michele doing my mom’s nails; I was fascinated. By age five my cousin Jada had started her career as a nail-tech I would beg her to do mine until I had tears in my eyes after hearing her telling no wait until you’re fifteen, lol. My cousin ran a strict program. Read more>>
YOLANDA SPEARMAN
I’ve never believed we have to choose between being practical and pursuing our dreams. I think we’re capable of doing both. For more than 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of building a career that I genuinely love. As a senior sales executive with Harley-Davidson Financial Services, I’ve been fortunate to lead incredible teams, develop leaders, solve complex business challenges, and help drive meaningful results. Read more>>
Grey Sky
I’m a DJ, songwriter, singer, and rapper from Grand Rapids Michigan. My obsession with music began when I was very young. I remember holding the radio to my ear while falling asleep. I would listen to records for hours on end as well. One memory I have is playing random notes and made-up chords on my family’s piano – I dubbed it “Angel Music”. Read more>>
Kenny HECHTMAN
Got my first guitar when I was 7 years old. Wrote my first piece of music at 9 years old. Traveled with Harry chapin to in 1975 the same year I opened my first of 5 restaurants. Married in 1981 and am blessed with a beautiful wife, two children Aaron and Sarah and three grandsons Miles, Arlo and Cobi. Read more>>
Misty Marcum
Luna Moon was never about creating the perfect yoga class. It’s about creating moments that people carry home with them. Some people discover confidence they didn’t know they had. Some reconnect with nature after years of feeling disconnected. Others simply find a community where they can show up exactly as they are. The paddleboard just happens to be the place where it all begins. Read more>>
Brenda White Henriquez
I have painted my whole life. Through every season and transition, time at my easel has remained sacred and deeply cherished. My academic path led me to earn a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Cornell University, after which I became a published scientist and continued my career in laboratory research. Read more>>
Heather Rousseau
In 2013, my husband and I set out to adopt a puppy. We had our hearts set on a little Boxer/Lab mix, but by the time our application was approved, he had already been adopted. The foster asked if we would be willing to meet another puppy instead, a 4 month old pitbull. Read more>>
Miryam Gabrielle
The Arts have always been an important piece of my family’s culture. I grew up with stories of my mom’s theater performances, my dad’s teenage band, and grand parents who loved to show off their dance skills at any function. Music was the undercurrent of my home, with my parents jokingly pop quizzing us on legendary vocalists. Read more>>
Drew Isabell
My story began with a love for drumming and alternative music. Music had always been a major part of my life, but I did not initially know where that passion would lead me. In 2012, everything changed after I returned home from spring break in Cancun, Mexico. Read more>>
Lynne Brown-Tepper
My journey with Circle Theatre (and Theatre in general) began in 1977 when my parents took me to see a production of CABARET (directed by Fred Sebulske, music directed by Duane Davis, choreographed by Ken Tepper). While that may not have been the best first production for a 12-year-old to see, it made a big impact. Read more>>
Monet Mclendon
My journey has been one of purpose, perseverance, and service. I grew up understanding that our environment can shape us, but it does not have to define us. Read more>>
Joaquin Sharpe Jr.
My journey as a creative started with a love for storytelling and finding different ways to express the ideas in my head. Over the years, that creativity has taken many forms, including writing books, creating film and television concepts, producing independent projects, and eventually exploring music. Read more>>
Jennifer Lane
Yes, I started my career many moons ago as an operations manager for a small engineering firm turned contract manufacturer. I learned a lot in this position. I was there for 14 years, and we helped inventors turn their ideas into products on shelves. From there I decided to go into real estate. Read more>>
Ashley LeClaire Scheiding
Hi! It’s Plant Daddy Ashley! What started out as having ‘too many plants’ and wanting to swap with others grew into a whole planty fam, as I call my amazing community! I wanted to celebrate my April 20th birthday, in a planty way and going big is the only way I know how! Read more>>
Chase Zaidan
Me and my Chef Ivan Matt working at an Asian fine dining restaurant Adachi in Birmingham six years ago. Read more>>
Jenea Markham
I’m the Marketing and Brand Specialist for Downtown Lansing Inc., where I lead marketing initiatives that celebrate the businesses, events, and people that make downtown a vibrant destination. My career has been rooted in supporting small businesses, beginning with several years in retail media, where I developed marketing strategies and created content to help independent retailers grow and connect with their communities. Read more>>
Elana Ho
I had an uncle who loved photography and I think in another life he would’ve been a photographer for national geographic. He gave me my first camera, taught me about aperture and iso and framing and I just fell in love with the medium and the idea that I could hold on to moments or people or places and look back at them. Read more>>
Scott Dumas
Disco Behemoth was formed in Kalamazoo Michigan around 2019. The formation of the band was not instantaneous. Jake and I met each other by playing in a local ska band while I was starting music school for trombone performance and he was finishing school for his music degree. Read more>>
Erin Smith
I started taking pictures when I was little with my grandpas old film cameras. I absolutely loved the creativity of it. When I graduated college I bought my first DSLR. I took pictures of everything and everyone. I continued to grow in it and wanted to do more. Read more>>
Elizabeth Dodson
Our team started HomeZada after working at a world leading commercial construction project management software company. While at this company, the idea to start HomeZada came to life. Read more>>
The Mercantile Non-Profit
The Mercantile was founded out of both necessity and deep love, inspired by the journeys of two remarkable young men, Jack and Nick, who are members of the special needs community. They represent a population capable of working independently with guidance, but are often caught in the gap between potential and opportunity. Read more>>
Alexis Sprankle
I got my real estate license on December 31, 2019. At the time, I had no idea what was about to happen. I was excited to start my career, meet clients, and learn the business. I spent New Year’s Eve celebrating not just a new year, but a completely new chapter of my life. Just a few months later, the world shut down. Read more>>
Jacqueline Wisor
When I moved to Ann Arbor, I couldn’t find an all-inclusive resource for local recommendations. I knew a lot about marketing and video editing, so I decided to make Go Ann Arbor and create the platform I was missing. Through filming, I met some incredible business owners and community members. Read more>>
Lovell Phillips Jr
My filmmaking journey began in 2010 when I got my first camera. At the time, I was simply filming skateboard videos with my friend Fran, never imagining it would become my career. After a while, I put the camera down and spent several years serving in the United States Marine Corps. Read more>>
Bryana Clover
I spent over a decade in corporate America before I became a healer and business owner. I moved through healing spaces for years that talked a lot about love and awakening, but rarely talked about race, power, or the actual lived realities of the people in the room. Read more>>
Patricia Khachkalyan Gomes
I am a 22 year old conductor from Armenia/Portugal based in the UK. I founded an international youth orchestra based in London, called Nova Philharmonia, where we welcome young professionals from all over the world to play classical music repertoire from different countries. Read more>>
Ramon Fontanilla
Good day I’m Ramon Fontanilla, I am a musician, photographer and wannabe home cook born in the Philippines and now based in Adrian MI. I started out in music as a scrappy kid back in high school, learning from friends and also picking up knowledge about recording software and its related knowhows. Read more>>
Emanuel Terrell
I wanted this article to discuss my TEDx experience I did in 2024. I was asked to be a TEDx speaker for TEDxWCC (Washtenaw Community College) in Spring 2024 and I gladly accepted. My talk revolved around being a young black entrepreneur, while discussing the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, but also some tips for the entrepreneur starting their journey. Read more>>
Jazmine Young
Jazmine Young is a powerhouse vocalist from the east side of Detroit, known for her rich tone, soulful delivery, and dynamic range. A classically trained singer with deep gospel roots, Jazmine brings a unique fusion of R&B, neo-soul, jazz, and gospel to every stage she steps on. Read more>>
Hope Watkins
I am the Owner and Founder of Ybinprint.com (Your Brand In Print), a full-service print and branding company dedicated to helping businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and organizations build memorable brands through high-quality custom printing and promotional products. With a passion for entrepreneurship and creative marketing, I have built Ybinprint into a trusted resource for businesses looking to stand out. Read more>>
Jenn Cooper
I honestly can’t remember a time when clay wasn’t part of my life. I started taking pottery classes when I was ten years old, and I was immediately hooked. There was something about taking a lump of clay and turning it into something useful that just made sense to me. That curiosity never really went away. Read more>>
Tess Clark
My story begins in an enchanted forest surrounded by the pristine, humble waters of Michigan. It begins with the wisdom of the trees and the beauty of lush canopies I was raised among. It begins with earths collective consciousness that I’ve become a messenger of. Across from an island on small inland lake resides my childhood home. Read more>>
