2021 Agenda

Explore Detroit Small Business Streets and Exhibits

Barbecue lunch provided by Chef Bobby Nahra of Encore Catering. Dessert will be provided by Detroit Mini Donuts and Meadowbrook Ice Cream.

Welcome:
Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber

Opening Remarks:
Dennis W. Archer Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Ignition Media Group; Founding Partner, Archer Corporate Services; Chairman, 2021 Detroit Policy Conference

Special Video Introduction:
Gretchen Whitmer, Governor, State of Michigan

Speaker: Garlin Gilchrist II, Lieutenant Governor, State of Michigan

Interviewer: Dennis W. Archer Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Ignition Media Group; Founding Partner, Archer Corporate Services; Chairman, 2021 Detroit Policy Conference

Sponsor: Huntington

Speaker: Bridget Hurd, Vice President, Inclusion and Diversity, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Sponsor: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Speaker: Dwane Casey, Head Coach, Detroit Pistons

Moderator: Greg Kelser, Pistons Television Analyst, Bally Sports Detroit

Speaker: Regina Ann Campbell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Build Institute

Sponsor: The Kresge Foundation

Explore Detroit Small Business Street

Speaker: Matthew Cullen, Chair, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy

Sponsor: The Kresge Foundation

Speaker: Mike Duggan, Mayor, City of Detroit

Moderator: Roop Raj, Reporter and Co-anchor, Fox 2 Detroit

Sponsor: DTE Energy Foundation

Speaker: Anika Goss, Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Future City

Sponsor: The Kresge Foundation

Speaker: Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State, State of Michigan
Moderator: Devin Scillian, Anchor, WDIV-TV 4, NBC

Sponsor: Delta Dental

Speaker:  Sheila Cockrel, Chief Executive Officer, CitizenDetroit

Sponsor: Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan

Speaker: Jared Fleisher, Vice President of Government Affairs and Economic Development, Rock Central

Sponsor: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Speaker: Michelle Oliver, Multi-Media Journalist, Live in the D, WDIV-TV 4, NBC

Response Panel: The Future of Detroit Dining

Panelists:
Stephanie Byrd, Co-Owner, The Block, Garden Theatre, and Flood’s Bar and Grille
Jeremy Sasson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Heirloom Hospitality
Bea Wolnerman, Owner, Bea’s and Bea’s Squeeze
Moderator: Rhonda Walker, Anchor, WDIV-TV 4, NBC

Sponsor: Michigan Economic Development Corporation

During the closing reception attendees can meet current Detroit city council members and candidates for the 2021 election, explore the exhibitors, and network. Complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be available.

Candidates participating:

Darryl Brown, Detroit City Council, District 1
M.L. Elrick, Detroit City Council, District 4
Latisha Johnson, Detroit City Council, District 4
Nicole Small, Detroit City Council, At Large
Virgil Smith, Detroit City Council, District 4
Ken Snapp, Detroit City Council, District 4
Jewell Knight Toson, Detroit City Council Candidate, District 4
Mary Waters, Detroit City Council, At Large
Coleman Young, Detroit City Council, At Large

Council Members participating:

Janeé Ayers, Detroit City Council, At Large
Scott Benson, Detroit City Council, District 3
Raquel Castaneda-López Detroit City Council, District 6
Brenda M. Jones, Detroit City Council President
Roy McCalister Jr., Detroit City Council, District 2
Mary Sheffield, Detroit City Council, District 5
Andre Spivey, Detroit City Council, District 4
James Tate, Detroit City Council, District 1

Sponsors: Greektown Casino-Hotel, JPMorgan Chase & Co.