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As we face mounting threats to our collective ability to move the needle on environmental justice, racial equity and other social justice issues, it is crucial for the business community to help drive change.

Join People First Economy and B Local Michigan for a powerful roundtable panel featuring Detroit-based business leaders:

  • Darren Riley, Co-founder and CEO of JustAir
  • Evan Thomas, Owner of Roar Brewing Co.

They’ll share how their businesses are acting as forces for good—through civic engagement, sustainability, and policy advocacy.

Following the panel, our keynote speaker Carla Walker, CEO of Walker Miller Energy Services, will share how her company integrates civic leadership and advocacy into their mission-driven work.

We’re also excited to bring back our Detroit Makers Market—celebrating the local entrepreneurs shaping the future of Detroit.

Click here for tickets!

Agenda Overview:

  • 10:00AM: Doors Open | Networking | Detroit Market
  • 10:30AM: PFE Presentation | Ice Breaker
  • 11:30AM: Detroit Business Panel | Justair & Roar Brewing Co.
  • 12:00PM: Lunch | Networking | Detroit Market
  • 12:30PM: Round Table
  • 1:30PM: Keynote Speaker | Carla Walker
  • 1:50PM: Q & A | Carla Walker
  • 2:00PM: Advocacy Award | Networking | Detroit Market
  • 2:30PM: Attendees Dismissed

Detroit Makers Market:

  • 52 Love Letters is an inspirational brand empowering women through curated journals and uplifting t-shirts. Our collection is divided into four journal volumes  that are designed to connect with and support women at every stage of their journey. 
  • Katrina Cross Photography captures life’s most meaningful moments with creativity, professionalism, and a personal touch—specializing in weddings, portraits, and boudoir sessions. 
  • Unik I Am products are reminders to not allow bad decisions and mistakes define you. “Because…everyone has a story, but your story is what makes you Unik”! 
  • The Coloring Museum is a Detroit-based interactive art experience that promotes creativity and mental wellness through coloring. Founded by illustrator Sherrie Savage, it features giant murals, custom sheets, and pop-ups like The Coloring Truck—bringing color, healing, and joy to every age. Let’s color outside the lines and create something beautiful, together. 
  • Manus Law, PLLC is a Detroit-based firm providing high-quality legal services nationwide. We focus on estate planning, real estate, business & nonprofit formation, sports, entertainment, and intellectual property law—with a client-first approach. 
  • Tianna James is a Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner & Menstrual Health Educator, teaching girls, teens, and women how to track their cycles, understand their symptoms, and listen to the messages their bodies are sending. Specializing in the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM), Tianna guides girls & women in understanding their hormonal patterns and using their body’s natural signals to support their wellness goals, whether they’re avoiding pregnancy, trying to conceive, or simply seeking relief from painful periods, PMS, or hormonal imbalances. 
  • Pray Hustle Slay is a multifaceted lifestyle brand built to inspire, educate, and empower individuals to live boldly in faith, purpose, and community advocacy. Under its umbrella are two powerful divisions: Pray Hustle Slay Travel, offering stylish and inclusive travel essentials for modern explorers; Pray Hustle Slay Institute, providing business education, workshops, and coaching for aspiring community and nonprofit leaders; and the Inspiration PHS drivers, as a platform dedicated to personal growth, wellness, and faith-based motivation. Together, these branches work to cultivate confidence, creativity, and community—encouraging individuals to pray with intention, hustle with purpose, and slay with excellence in every area of life. 
  • Mobile Laundry Detroit offers a convenient laundry service that allows clients to schedule pickups for washing, drying, and folding their clothes, with returns in just 24 hours. The service includes everything needed, such as free laundry detergent and a reusable laundry bag. 
  • At Henderson Myers Home Services, we empower individuals and investors to build generational wealth through expert guidance in real estate sales, wholesale mortgages, and credit enhancement services. Our Mission is to foster generational wealth through integrity, expertise, community engagement, and public education. We are committed to providing exceptional service to individuals, investors, and our local community with the utmost diligence and professionalism. 
  • Voices of Generations Healing Hub is a Detroit-based mental health practice supporting parents, teens, and young adults through compassionate, culturally responsive care. Specializing in generational healing and family connection, the Hub helps clients navigate challenges like trauma, anxiety, and self-esteem. Most major insurances accepted. 
  • Established in 2014, Jamilya Pierce offers Urban Couture Glam.
  • BNB Cosmetics is a clean, inclusive beauty brand offering vegan, cruelty-free products for all skin tones. Our curated Makeup Vanity Kits deliver everyday glam in a sleek, travel-friendly case—making beauty effortless and luxurious. 
  • Founded in 2015 by Tasha White, Snooky Cookies crafts handmade, gourmet cookies using high-quality ingredients and old-fashioned baking methods. Inspired by love and nostalgia, each bite delivers rich, buttery flavor—just like grandma used to make. With a commitment to community, youth, and warm service, Snooky Cookies is spreading love one cookie at a time.
  • She So Detroit is a community-driven business dedicated to uplifting women and youth in the City of Detroit through storytelling, community engagement, and entrepreneurship.
  • August Ave. Its an online shopping destination designed to empower fly, stylish, on the go women like myself, to be about town with effortless wardrobe essentials, statement outerwear, chic jewelry and lifestyle must haves.

Associated Business: People First Economy

People First Economy

Advocacy in Action

Thu, June 5, 2025
10:00am - 2:30pm

Event Info:

As we face mounting threats to our collective ability to move the needle on environmental justice, racial equity and other social justice issues, it is crucial for the business community to help drive change.

Join People First Economy and B Local Michigan for a powerful roundtable panel featuring Detroit-based business leaders:

  • Darren Riley, Co-founder and CEO of JustAir
  • Evan Thomas, Owner of Roar Brewing Co.

They’ll share how their businesses are acting as forces for good—through civic engagement, sustainability, and policy advocacy.

Following the panel, our keynote speaker Carla Walker, CEO of Walker Miller Energy Services, will share how her company integrates civic leadership and advocacy into their mission-driven work.

We’re also excited to bring back our Detroit Makers Market—celebrating the local entrepreneurs shaping the future of Detroit.

Click here for tickets!

Agenda Overview:

  • 10:00AM: Doors Open | Networking | Detroit Market
  • 10:30AM: PFE Presentation | Ice Breaker
  • 11:30AM: Detroit Business Panel | Justair & Roar Brewing Co.
  • 12:00PM: Lunch | Networking | Detroit Market
  • 12:30PM: Round Table
  • 1:30PM: Keynote Speaker | Carla Walker
  • 1:50PM: Q & A | Carla Walker
  • 2:00PM: Advocacy Award | Networking | Detroit Market
  • 2:30PM: Attendees Dismissed

Detroit Makers Market:

  • 52 Love Letters is an inspirational brand empowering women through curated journals and uplifting t-shirts. Our collection is divided into four journal volumes  that are designed to connect with and support women at every stage of their journey. 
  • Katrina Cross Photography captures life’s most meaningful moments with creativity, professionalism, and a personal touch—specializing in weddings, portraits, and boudoir sessions. 
  • Unik I Am products are reminders to not allow bad decisions and mistakes define you. “Because…everyone has a story, but your story is what makes you Unik”! 
  • The Coloring Museum is a Detroit-based interactive art experience that promotes creativity and mental wellness through coloring. Founded by illustrator Sherrie Savage, it features giant murals, custom sheets, and pop-ups like The Coloring Truck—bringing color, healing, and joy to every age. Let’s color outside the lines and create something beautiful, together. 
  • Manus Law, PLLC is a Detroit-based firm providing high-quality legal services nationwide. We focus on estate planning, real estate, business & nonprofit formation, sports, entertainment, and intellectual property law—with a client-first approach. 
  • Tianna James is a Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner & Menstrual Health Educator, teaching girls, teens, and women how to track their cycles, understand their symptoms, and listen to the messages their bodies are sending. Specializing in the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM), Tianna guides girls & women in understanding their hormonal patterns and using their body’s natural signals to support their wellness goals, whether they’re avoiding pregnancy, trying to conceive, or simply seeking relief from painful periods, PMS, or hormonal imbalances. 
  • Pray Hustle Slay is a multifaceted lifestyle brand built to inspire, educate, and empower individuals to live boldly in faith, purpose, and community advocacy. Under its umbrella are two powerful divisions: Pray Hustle Slay Travel, offering stylish and inclusive travel essentials for modern explorers; Pray Hustle Slay Institute, providing business education, workshops, and coaching for aspiring community and nonprofit leaders; and the Inspiration PHS drivers, as a platform dedicated to personal growth, wellness, and faith-based motivation. Together, these branches work to cultivate confidence, creativity, and community—encouraging individuals to pray with intention, hustle with purpose, and slay with excellence in every area of life. 
  • Mobile Laundry Detroit offers a convenient laundry service that allows clients to schedule pickups for washing, drying, and folding their clothes, with returns in just 24 hours. The service includes everything needed, such as free laundry detergent and a reusable laundry bag. 
  • At Henderson Myers Home Services, we empower individuals and investors to build generational wealth through expert guidance in real estate sales, wholesale mortgages, and credit enhancement services. Our Mission is to foster generational wealth through integrity, expertise, community engagement, and public education. We are committed to providing exceptional service to individuals, investors, and our local community with the utmost diligence and professionalism. 
  • Voices of Generations Healing Hub is a Detroit-based mental health practice supporting parents, teens, and young adults through compassionate, culturally responsive care. Specializing in generational healing and family connection, the Hub helps clients navigate challenges like trauma, anxiety, and self-esteem. Most major insurances accepted. 
  • Established in 2014, Jamilya Pierce offers Urban Couture Glam.
  • BNB Cosmetics is a clean, inclusive beauty brand offering vegan, cruelty-free products for all skin tones. Our curated Makeup Vanity Kits deliver everyday glam in a sleek, travel-friendly case—making beauty effortless and luxurious. 
  • Founded in 2015 by Tasha White, Snooky Cookies crafts handmade, gourmet cookies using high-quality ingredients and old-fashioned baking methods. Inspired by love and nostalgia, each bite delivers rich, buttery flavor—just like grandma used to make. With a commitment to community, youth, and warm service, Snooky Cookies is spreading love one cookie at a time.
  • She So Detroit is a community-driven business dedicated to uplifting women and youth in the City of Detroit through storytelling, community engagement, and entrepreneurship.
  • August Ave. Its an online shopping destination designed to empower fly, stylish, on the go women like myself, to be about town with effortless wardrobe essentials, statement outerwear, chic jewelry and lifestyle must haves.

Associated Business: People First Economy

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