Good news here at the doDetroit office, the doDetroit TV Web site is live! Check out clips from our original programs like Nikki Does Detroit and Sound Check.
In the latest Nikki Does Detroit segment, Nicole Rupersburg visits the Detroit Science Center and literally has a blast. Based on her weekly column on doDetroit.com, Nicole explores all the fun and exciting things happening in Detroit.
If you are an emerging filmmaker the program “. . . It came from the D” reserves space for donated content. Visit the site to learn how to submit your TV show, movie, or comedy act to be considered for inclusion.
So what are you still doing here? Visit doDetroit and discover all there is to do!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
TechTown Visit
While most of the time I arrive at the Do Detroit offices between 10 and 11, today I braved rush hour on I-94 and the Lodge to make it to TechTown at 8 a.m. What possessed me to make the trek down to the New Amsterdam historic district? Why it was the “Marketing, Mania, & Money – Oh My!” entrepreneurs breakfast hosted by Wayne State University Technology Commercialization.
Guest speaker at today’s event was Derek Mehraban, CEO of Ingenex and instructor of Michigan State University’s New Media Driver’s License course. Derek delivered an hour and half address to a room of 30-plus enthralled entrepreneurs and industrious professionals focusing on social and digital marketing strategies.
Some of the highlights for Derek’s speech were tips for personal branding in conjunction with your business’ identity, integration of the traditional with the digital, and evaluating the return on the investment (ROI) in social media engagement. With the Black Business Festival marketing campaign ending this weekend, Derek’s S.M.A.R.T. approach to assessing ROI will be of use when we review our efforts.
Throughout the event, Derek’s colleague Eric Rodriguez was live tweeting the event on Ingenex’ corporate account. One of my favorite comments Eric caught from Derek was:
Guest speaker at today’s event was Derek Mehraban, CEO of Ingenex and instructor of Michigan State University’s New Media Driver’s License course. Derek delivered an hour and half address to a room of 30-plus enthralled entrepreneurs and industrious professionals focusing on social and digital marketing strategies.
Some of the highlights for Derek’s speech were tips for personal branding in conjunction with your business’ identity, integration of the traditional with the digital, and evaluating the return on the investment (ROI) in social media engagement. With the Black Business Festival marketing campaign ending this weekend, Derek’s S.M.A.R.T. approach to assessing ROI will be of use when we review our efforts.
Throughout the event, Derek’s colleague Eric Rodriguez was live tweeting the event on Ingenex’ corporate account. One of my favorite comments Eric caught from Derek was:
If your business can't be found on Google, does it exist?
Side Note: Last night's Discovering the D featuring the Russell Bazaar is now available on demand on Detroit Public TV's Web site.
---Gill
---Gill
Issues Surrounding Bigger Issues
this post was ORIGINALLY written on February 16, 2010...
We have been BUSY around here.
With the Black Business Festival coming up next weekend (my goodness!), there are so many things that we still have to do to make sure vendors and the public enjoy and appreciate this event. In our morning meeting, we were informed that there has not been much vendor sign-up. This was a little disheartening; however, from my experience, things usually work out last minute. If we use every outlet possible (including social media, media advertising, phone calls and word-of-mouth), the turnout will be greater than last year. The interns are here grinding to make sure that no stone is left unturned and that we can reach every possible source. We’re blasting list-servs, twitter and facebook accounts, contacting local bloggers and writers, making calls to previous attendees and using unconventional means to contact businessowners...oh yeah, we’re getting out there. No worries.
Now, for a personal rant...
In our meeting, Jodie spoke on an issue that was presented to her regarding the prominence of a certain advertisement in the Festival brochure. In the center of the brochure there is a large ad for a gun lock giveaway that will be done during the event to promote gun safety within the community. She informed us that there had been some dissent about how largely this had been advertised versus largely advertising the participation of local public figures (mainly because of the stereotypes facing the African-American community).
To this I say...Keep your focus on what’s most important and get off your soapbox.
In a city plagued by high volumes of gun violence and fatalities, this is but one small way to help solve a larger issue. If I have to read another headline about a child who, often through the negligence of a parent or guardian, got hold to a gun and shot and/or killed themselves...I don’t know what I’ll do. Also, let us not forget that blacks are not the only culture who deal with the heartbreak of gun-related death and injury. When it comes to an issue that is plaguing our community, and there’s someone offering to help solve it, we need to recognize that their efforts are for, and not against, us.
If you are going to complain, do something to make it better.
Moral of today’s story: Work hard. Be a part of the solution...not the problem.
--Lisa
We have been BUSY around here.
With the Black Business Festival coming up next weekend (my goodness!), there are so many things that we still have to do to make sure vendors and the public enjoy and appreciate this event. In our morning meeting, we were informed that there has not been much vendor sign-up. This was a little disheartening; however, from my experience, things usually work out last minute. If we use every outlet possible (including social media, media advertising, phone calls and word-of-mouth), the turnout will be greater than last year. The interns are here grinding to make sure that no stone is left unturned and that we can reach every possible source. We’re blasting list-servs, twitter and facebook accounts, contacting local bloggers and writers, making calls to previous attendees and using unconventional means to contact businessowners...oh yeah, we’re getting out there. No worries.
Now, for a personal rant...
In our meeting, Jodie spoke on an issue that was presented to her regarding the prominence of a certain advertisement in the Festival brochure. In the center of the brochure there is a large ad for a gun lock giveaway that will be done during the event to promote gun safety within the community. She informed us that there had been some dissent about how largely this had been advertised versus largely advertising the participation of local public figures (mainly because of the stereotypes facing the African-American community).
To this I say...Keep your focus on what’s most important and get off your soapbox.
In a city plagued by high volumes of gun violence and fatalities, this is but one small way to help solve a larger issue. If I have to read another headline about a child who, often through the negligence of a parent or guardian, got hold to a gun and shot and/or killed themselves...I don’t know what I’ll do. Also, let us not forget that blacks are not the only culture who deal with the heartbreak of gun-related death and injury. When it comes to an issue that is plaguing our community, and there’s someone offering to help solve it, we need to recognize that their efforts are for, and not against, us.
If you are going to complain, do something to make it better.
Moral of today’s story: Work hard. Be a part of the solution...not the problem.
--Lisa
Monday, February 22, 2010
The Intern is Loose! The Intern is Loose!
Part of being in the social media marketing field is . . . wait for it, wait for it . . . being social. While most of my job is spent in the office interacting with people through the Internet—posting comments on blogs, sending email, interacting with Facebook fans, etc.—this week I left my colleagues in front of their Macs to venture down to YouthVille with Jodie to do some face-to-face networking. With the Black Business Festival fast approaching, we needed to promote Sunday’s youth activity area that not only provides entertainment for kids of all ages, but also provides space for businesses focused on children or those that offer summer and after-school programs for the city’s youth.
Having never even heard of YouthVille, I was astonished to discover this expansive development center for 11–19 year olds in New Center on Woodward. Waiting for Leslie Pittman, who handles the centers community outreach programs, to met Jodie and I, I wanted to wander down the colorful corridors and explore the loft-like facility. Luckily, Leslie offered to take us on a tour of YouthVille after we discussed the BBF.
One of the first rooms Leslie showed us was ceramics. Here participants use clay to craft masks, sculptures, and bowls to be fired in the two on-site kilns.
The students’ finished pieces are displayed, most crowded onto shelves almost too small to hold all the wonderful artwork. Leslie commented that the class is popular with kids new to the center.
Also on the ground floor are a showcase area, game room, and gym.
A conference room with full commercial kitchen and four breakaway rooms attached with access via transparent garage doors, allows for large groups to meet. Walking through the dance studio—that is bathed in natural light thanks to wall-to-wall windows—Jodie even volunteered to become a dance instructor a couple of hours a week. It’s important in social media marketing not to forget that just because you are connected virtually, doesn’t mean you can cut out being physically involved with your community.
However wonderful the first floor of YouthVille is—and trust me it’s great—the second floor was better. Contained on the second floor are classrooms dedicated to making beats and editing video and sound. The equipment these kids get to use nothing like the
technology my high school classroom had and rivaled what was available to me at MSU.
But what’s the point of having professional-grade editing tools if you have nothing to edit? That’s where the classes geared towards broadcast journalism offers come in. YouthVille even houses its own TV studio! YouthVille students are able to see the production of a radio show, podcast, or short program from start to finish. Who knows maybe some of these talent kids will shoot something for Do Detroit TV?
As I said before YouthVille is a development center for middle and high school aged children. While the classes afford these kids the opportunity to explore their creative interests and even guide them towards a particular career field, building life-skills is the goal of the organization
. YouthVille not only offers leadership development and homework assistance programs, but also participates in community service initiatives.
Our tour with Leslie ended with a meeting with Program Director, Rita Clark, who—just like the Leslie and the rest of the YouthVille staff—was extremely personable. Chatting with Rita for a few minutes, you knew she loved her work even when swamped with serious scheduling decisions.
I want to thank Leslie and Rita for meeting with Jodie and I and for the wonderful tour. We here at Do Detroit appreciate YouthVille’s participation with the Black Business Festival. Leslie was doubly kind to allow me to come back the following day to photograph the building for this story.
For more information about YouthVille and their youth development programs, come see Leslie at the Black Business Festival this Sunday, February 28 from 11–5 in the Russell Bazaar or check out their Web site for a full list of all their programs.
---Gill
One of the first rooms Leslie showed us was ceramics. Here participants use clay to craft masks, sculptures, and bowls to be fired in the two on-site kilns.
Also on the ground floor are a showcase area, game room, and gym.
However wonderful the first floor of YouthVille is—and trust me it’s great—the second floor was better. Contained on the second floor are classrooms dedicated to making beats and editing video and sound. The equipment these kids get to use nothing like the
technology my high school classroom had and rivaled what was available to me at MSU.But what’s the point of having professional-grade editing tools if you have nothing to edit? That’s where the classes geared towards broadcast journalism offers come in. YouthVille even houses its own TV studio! YouthVille students are able to see the production of a radio show, podcast, or short program from start to finish. Who knows maybe some of these talent kids will shoot something for Do Detroit TV?
As I said before YouthVille is a development center for middle and high school aged children. While the classes afford these kids the opportunity to explore their creative interests and even guide them towards a particular career field, building life-skills is the goal of the organization
. YouthVille not only offers leadership development and homework assistance programs, but also participates in community service initiatives. Our tour with Leslie ended with a meeting with Program Director, Rita Clark, who—just like the Leslie and the rest of the YouthVille staff—was extremely personable. Chatting with Rita for a few minutes, you knew she loved her work even when swamped with serious scheduling decisions.
I want to thank Leslie and Rita for meeting with Jodie and I and for the wonderful tour. We here at Do Detroit appreciate YouthVille’s participation with the Black Business Festival. Leslie was doubly kind to allow me to come back the following day to photograph the building for this story.
For more information about YouthVille and their youth development programs, come see Leslie at the Black Business Festival this Sunday, February 28 from 11–5 in the Russell Bazaar or check out their Web site for a full list of all their programs.
---Gill
Tune into PBS' Discover the D Tonight
In this evening’s episode of PBS’ Discover the D, Jim Chapman gives viewers a tour of the Russell Bazaar. Airing at 5:30 p.m., Jim will focus on the amazing retail opportunities the Bazaar gives to small businesses. Detroiters will be surprised of the hidden gems housed in the 60,000 sq. ft. complex.
Located in the historical Russell Industrial Center, the Bazaar calls to mind lively foreign street markets. However, since the Michigan weather is unpredictable, all the shops are under a single roof, ideal for shopping any day of the year.
Again the program airs tonight, Monday, February 22 at 5:30 p.m. on PBS. Check your local listings for your cable or satellite provider's PBS station.
For more information about the Russell Bazaar and upcoming events, such as the Black Business Festival, check out their Web site.
--Gill
Again the program airs tonight, Monday, February 22 at 5:30 p.m. on PBS. Check your local listings for your cable or satellite provider's PBS station.
For more information about the Russell Bazaar and upcoming events, such as the Black Business Festival, check out their Web site.
--Gill
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Black Business Festival Returns
Hey everybody, it's Gill and some really exciting things have been happening at the doDetroit offices these past couple of weeks.
My favorite piece of news is the return of the Black Business Festival for a second year and doDetroit.com is proud to announce its sponsorship of this event. As an intern for doDetroit, I have had the opportunity to not only observe but also contribute at meetings with doDetroit staff and personnel from other sponsoring organizations Russell Bazaar, WGPR 107.5 FM, and Niki’s Lounge. (Metro Times has also committed to sponsoring the Black Business Festival but I have yet to personally participated in a meeting with them.)
After coordinating the behind-the-scenes operations between our organizations, the team brainstormed some ideas for how to not only draw in businesses but the general public. Some of my favorite suggestions form the meeting included a return of last year’s chili and peach cobbler cook-off, business seminars centered around starting and growing your business, two $300 Russell Bucks raffles, and making the event family-friendly with a children’s activity area.
Following the initial meeting, we spent following week we confirming speakers, attendees, and entertainment. Everyone we contacted seemed to be receptive to the festival’s mission to help local business owners advertise, promote, and network.
One such member of the Detroit community looking forward to attending the Black Business Festival and who we here at doDetroit.com are ecstatic to announce as the keynote speaker is Charles Pugh, President of Detroit City Council. His keynote speech will address the economic outlook for growth in Detroit.
Seminar will be conducted by the city’s leading political and business figures including Ken Harris of the Detroit Charter Revision Commission and members from the Center for Empowerment an Economic Development (CEED), the Black Business Expo, and the Small Business Association.
A perfect ending to Black History Month, the festival will include family-friendly entertainment and activities for children. Gospel choirs and live music will be preformed on the Russell Bazaar’s stage. The public is invited to participate in dance contests, two drawings for a $300 shopping spree, and cook-off events.
More information on renting space for your business and up-to-the-minute seminar information can be found here at the Black Business Festival’s Web site.
We look forward to seeing you, your family, and your business at the Black Business Festival, February 26–28 at the Russell Bazaar inside the Russell Industrial Center.
The Russell Bazaar is located at 1600 Clay Street, Detroit, Michigan 48211 [Google Map link].
---Gill
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Getting word out + Getting lunch = Blog Post
this post was ORIGINALLY written on February 4, 2010...
So, I’m really excited at how things are coming together for our Black Business Festival. We have some great speakers and really fun activities that I’m sure everyone will love. I drafted a “participation proposal” today for a potential Motown Ballroom instructor to come out and teach a one-hour class for our attendees. Yes, we will be dancing : ). Keep your fingers crossed for me for positive results...
NOW...ON TO A RESTAURANT REVIEW!!
Let me tell you guys about this great Mexican restaurant we visited for lunch. In Hamtramck, a “little-big” city located within the City of Detroit, there is this great, quaint restaurant named “Maria’s Comida.” Everyone in the office SWEARS by their $.99 taco specials on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I decided to join them...
And am I glad I did...The food was delicious!!
I started with the chips with salsa and queso. Not every restaurant has good salsa, but this one does. The queso was so cheesy and creamy. *Wiping corners of mouth to avoid dribble* After the chips with salsa and queso, I had an order of their jalapeno poppers. I will say this--the first time I had them, they weren’t so bad. This time......THEY WERE HOT! However, the homemade Lime Cilantro Cream Cheese filling made the pain sweet and bearable.
And then the taco’s came...
Definitely worth every cent. Fresh ingredients and delicious seasonings made it a great taco. The taco sauce was the perfect way to “doctor up” my tacos.
Five stars (as my dear friend Gilbert would say). : )
Moral of today’s story: Go to Hamtramck. Great culture, great food, cool town. Visit Maria’s Comida and come back and tell me how you liked it.
--Lisa
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