People First Economy

Artist's Way Project Art Workshops
2025-05-19 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-05-26 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-02 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-09 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Artist’s Way Art Workshops are weekly art workshops as part of the Artist’s Way Project. This is a 12-week project that is inspired by the book Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.

What – Each week artists will share different interactive art workshops and experiences – dance, movement, visual art, mindfulness practices, and more. Every week is a different experience!
Who – These workshops are for all ages, and all experience levels!
Cost – Free!

We will share the full schedule below once it is finalized in mid-May.

To learn more about the project, please visit our website – https://www.cultivategrandrapids.org/artists-way-project
Associated Business: Downtown Grand Rapids Inc

Good For Michigan Support Hour
2025-05-20 09:00 - 10:00
The People First Economy team will be hosting a live VIRTUAL support session for the Good For Michigan program. We encourage our members to sign up if they have unanswered questions about the Good For Michigan program.
Agenda:

9AM: Welcome | Open Hour Drop In Questions
9:30AM: 1:1 Questions | Consultations

Click here for tickets.

Live Music on the Patio
2025-05-20 17:30 - 20:30, 2025-05-27 17:30 - 20:30, 2025-06-03 17:30 - 20:30, 2025-06-10 17:30 - 20:30
Your evening plans just got better: scenic views, tasty food, and LIVE tunes at Cork Wine & Grille! Join us on the patio overlooking the beautiful golf course on Tuesdays from 5:30-8:30 pm! View our complete live music lineup at https://corkwineandgrille.com/happening/3984/2024-05-28/
Associated Business: Cork Wine & Grille

Wine on Thursdays
2025-05-22 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-05-29 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-05 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-12 16:00 - 20:00
EVERY THURSDAY EVENING FROM 4 – 8PM…
Stop in for wine tasting! We always have 2-3 options open and encourage you to grab a taste and shop around or talk with our staff while you sip!

Live Music on the Patio
2025-05-22 17:30 - 20:30, 2025-05-24 17:30 - 20:30, 2025-05-25 17:30 - 20:30, 2025-05-29 17:30 - 20:30, 2025-05-31 17:30 - 20:30, 2025-06-01 17:30 - 20:30, 2025-06-05 17:30 - 20:30, 2025-06-07 17:30 - 20:30 and 2 more dates
Your evening plans just got better: scenic views, tasty food, and LIVE tunes at Boatwerks! Join us on the patio overlooking the beautiful Lake Macatawa from 5:30-8:30 pm on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays! View our complete live music lineup at https://boatwerksrestaurant.com/…/live-music/2024-05-30/1/
Associated Business: Boatwerks Restaurant

Acoustic Open Mic Night
2025-05-22 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-05-29 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-06-05 19:00 - 22:00
Open Mic Night at Switchback. Every Thursday evening 7-10pm. Come play, listen, grab a drink, and have a good time.

Local First Engagement Hour | May Series
2025-05-29 16:30 - 17:30
Our second Local First Engagement Hour Series is at City Built on May 29th from 4:30PM – 5:30PM! Join us for afternoon social hour where we will have appetizers, one free beverage, and later in the evening a City Built event: Open Mic Night!

For tickets, click here!

Thank you to our host, City Built for offering their space.

Thank you to our cohosts for partnering alongside our event:Bloom Credit UnionHulst Jepsen Physical Therapy
Gordon Water System

Community members can expect each of our featured partners to share what’s going on at their businesses!
Associated Business: People First Economy

Michigan Wildlife Day
2025-05-31 09:00 - 18:00
Tag along with Tiana, Snow White, Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother, as we explore Michigan’s native animals. Learn wild facts, catch live entertainment, and be captivated with animal activities!

Advocacy in Action
2025-06-05 10:00 - 14:30
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

First Fridays in East Hills
2025-06-06 18:00 - 20:00
Shop is open late with select books 30% off
