Calyxeum Catalyst is a nonprofit community focused initiative that is committed to making the surrounding community a better place for the citizens of Detroit. Located in District 7, which is home to beautiful parks such as the impressive and immense Rouge Park, they’ve partnered with well-known active and accomplished community organizations to create programs and employment opportunities. They are investing in District 7 so it can be a better place to live. Calyxeum is committed to positively impacting the surrounding area by sponsoring nearby playgrounds, providing mentors for an afterschool program, and volunteering their time to educate groups such as the elderly and veterans. They have plans to create tutoring programs at nearby schools and rehab vacant homes that surround their business into garden spaces for District 7 residents. Calyxeum Catalyst wants to have a lasting impact on their community by educating the community on health and wellness practices as well as providing resources for the urban community to create generational wealth. LaToyia Rucker, the Program Coordinator of Calyxeum Catalyst, responded to our interview questions on why they won the Good For Community award.
Calyxeum Cataylst was founded by two women of color determined to create a space for inclusion, education, and opportunity in Michigan’s cannabis industry. What began as a vision to grow high-quality, sustainable cannabis evolved into a broader mission—empowering our community through entrepreneurship, urban agriculture, and wellness. We’re deeply rooted in Detroit and believe in using our platform to create pathways for equity, ownership, and environmental sustainability. They were chosen as the Good For Community Awardee because “Calyxeum has been making an impact through several community-centered initiatives:
• Calyxeum Catalyst Community Garden – We transformed vacant land into a thriving urban garden that provides fresh produce, education, and green space for local families.
• Kid Fit Childcare Partnership – We support early childhood education by connecting families to free Pre-K opportunities and wellness programs.
• Community Cleanups and Sustainability Projects – From tire and clothing drives to home rehabilitation and green infrastructure installations, we invest directly in the neighborhoods we serve.
• Educational Programming – We host garden workshops and youth programs that teach sustainability, plant science, and healthy living.” Rucker responded that “winning the Good For Community Award is a profound honor. It validates the hard work we’ve done to build bridges between business, community, and sustainability. It means our efforts to uplift and invest in Detroit residents are being recognized and it fuels our drive to keep going. For us, this award represents shared success with our neighbors, volunteers, and partners who’ve believed in our mission.”
Calyxeum is a great example of when you provide educational support for your community on land cultivation, it leads to thriving communities with better relationships with the environment they live in. Rucker reminded us that “business leaders should act as connectors bridging public education with real-world opportunities. By collaborating with schools and policymakers, entrepreneurs can ensure that educational programs prepare youth for emerging industries, from sustainability to technology. We believe in building ecosystems where learning leads to employment, entrepreneurship, and empowerment within the same community.” When we invest in each other, we are investing in the growth of our communities, economy, and the next generation. We are investing in putting people first. Rucker shared that “a People First approach prioritizes healing, dignity, and shared prosperity. When we invest in relationships, wellness, and care infrastructure, we address the root causes of inequality, not just the symptoms. In Detroit, where systemic barriers have long affected communities of color, centering wellbeing is both an act of justice and a strategy for sustainable growth. It’s how we create a new model of business, one where success is measured not just in profit, but in people thriving.” When we invest in care, we are investing in growth. It’s a smart business decision because it amplifies the communities we exist in.
As we ended our interview, the apparent relationship between people and planet is essential to Calyxeum. In the year ahead, Rucker is looking forward to “expanding our community garden into a year-round greenhouse, powered by solar energy and rainwater collection. We’re also developing a Youth Garden Curriculum, introducing sustainability, entrepreneurship, and nutrition to kids ages 6–12. Additionally, we plan to launch Calyxeum Cares, a volunteer program connecting local residents to green jobs, mentorship, and wellness resources.”
