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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Interns are part of the team too...

this post was ORIGINALLY written January 26, 2010...

Today I found out that next month the Russell Industrial Center will host the Black Business Festival (February 26-28). The fact that this event promotes entrepreneurship within the African-American community, and, in turn, involvement in Detroit’s economic boost, is definitely an added bonus for me. The preliminary meeting with Russell Industrial staff, Keith King (of Detroit’s WGPR radio) and Ken “Blanks” Harrell (President of RealTalk FM, a local weekly Sunday radio talk show) was a great success as everyone bounced ideas around to develop this event further. Everything from an entrepreneurship town hall and weekend performances to cook-offs and incentives for attendance, such as contests to win $300 in “Russell Bucks,” were proposed. The fact that everyone is pushing for the success of this event will truly make it shine. 

Not only will there be events for adults, but little ones will have a great time too. From what I hear, there will be alot going on to keep them busy. I’m so excited to be assisting with the festival. The best thing about it is that, even though we're interns, we are a necessary part of the team. Our ideas are welcomed and respected and that makes it that much easier to work with the team. 

Trust me when I tell you that you don’t want to miss out! Come out! I’d love to meet you!

Moral of Today’s Story: Come to the Black Business Festival (and don’t forget your family)--it is a multi-cultural event. See some new faces. Network. Make some GREAT connections. 

--Lisa

A City of Opportunity

While working for Do Detroit for the past three weeks, I have been afforded the opportunity to explore the wide variety of interesting people, projects, and events Detroit has to offer. Even with the long hours sitting in front of my computer entering contact information into our ever-expanding database, I truly am fascinated by the breadth of people who inhabit this city.

In a previous entry I mentioned one of my passions is indie film and when—over the course of my research—I discovered the new documentary short, The Farmer and the Philosopher, I was ecstatic. In 8-minutes, filmmaker Andrea Adelman concisely outlines two complimentary plans for the resurgence of Detroit, which left me entertained as well as informed.

The Farmer and the Philosopher examines the City of Detroit through the eyes of an urban farmer and community organizer, Mark Covington (Georgia Street Community Collective) and ad man and writer, Tom Barlow (Team Detroit/Huffington Post). While these two come from two different worlds within Detroit, they both share a passion for this city in transition. Produced by Detroit Lives!, the short details the visions each man has for the continued evolution of Detroit.

Tom, a 2006 transplant from New York, proclaims falling in love with the city immediately. His assertions of Detroit being rich in community and opportunity litter his commentary of Detroit being the city of the future. He envisions the city’s dreamers as being the driving force behind the Detroit’s revitalization.

One of those driving forces is Mark. Since 2008, he has enriched the lives his neighborhood’s youth through his community garden project. Even though Mark calls himself a dreamer, his vision for Detroit’s future is grounded in reality. He acknowledges that to help Detroit grow, the doers must cultivate the ideas planted by the dreamers.

Music from local musician Alan Scheurman bookends the short. The Farmer and the Philosopher is now available for viewing on Current.

---Gill