The Michigan Banner https://michiganbanner.org/ Latest News & Happenings in the Great Lakes Bay Region, Flint and Surrounding Areas Tue, 17 Dec 2024 20:43:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://i0.wp.com/michiganbanner.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cropped-mb-icon.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 The Michigan Banner https://michiganbanner.org/ 32 32 180493217 Frankenmuth Credit Union celebrates 60 years of service https://michiganbanner.org/2024/12/17/community/frankenmuth-credit-union-celebrates-60-years-of-service/ Tue, 17 Dec 2024 20:43:23 +0000 https://michiganbanner.org/?p=11657 Frankenmuth Credit Union (FCU) recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of growth, service, and community impact.

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FRANKENMUTH, MI — Frankenmuth Credit Union (FCU) recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of growth, service, and community impact.

Founded on December 12, 1964, with a mission of “people helping people”, FCU has expanded from an 8-by-8 room at the Carling Brewery to a trusted financial institution serving 27 communities and over 73,000 members across Michigan.

The milestone was celebrated on Thursday, Dec.12, at the Uptown North Main Event and Banquet Center. Hosted in partnership with the Frankenmuth and Saginaw County Chambers of Commerce, the event brought together community members to reflect on FCU’s journey and impact.

“Our once small financial cooperative has been extremely blessed over the past 60 years,” said Vickie Schmitzer, CEO of Frankenmuth Credit Union. “We have received incredible support from our community every step along the way. This 60 years has been nothing short of magnificent, and we look forward to what the future holds for us at Frankenmuth Credit Union.”

The celebration highlighted FCU’s ongoing commitment to community support, with $28,048 raised through its annual Hope Tree Auction. The funds were distributed to six local charities: CAN Council, Covenant Kids, Light the Night, Love For A Child, Underground Railroad, and Wellspring Lutheran Foundation Bethesda.

60th Anniversary Commemorative Painting by Stephen Hargash and Billy Budd (Courtesy photo)

To honor its founding year, FCU also treated six lucky attendees to a chance in the money blower, filled with $1,964. Local artists Stephen Hargash and Billy Budd added a creative touch, inviting attendees to contribute brushstrokes to a commemorative painting featuring the FCU logo and a tribute to the old Carling Brewery.

Founded in 1964 by employees of local breweries and mills, Frankenmuth Credit Union has expanded into a full-service financial institution offering banking, insurance, trust, and investment solutions.

Today, FCU operates branches across Bay, Genesee, Huron, Midland, Ogemaw, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, and Tuscola counties, serving over 73,000 members throughout Michigan.

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Michigan middle schools join NASA in after-school STEM program https://michiganbanner.org/2024/12/17/education/michigan-middle-schools-join-nasa-in-after-school-stem-program/ Tue, 17 Dec 2024 19:31:50 +0000 https://michiganbanner.org/?p=11654 Michigan middle school students are set to embark on an exciting new STEM learning opportunity through a partnership between NASA and the U.S. Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program.

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LANSING, MI — Michigan middle school students are set to embark on an exciting new STEM learning opportunity through a partnership between NASA and the U.S. Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program.

Announced by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), the collaboration offers hands-on experiences designed to engage students in science, technology, engineering, and math.

“Investing in STEM education is crucial for preparing young Michiganders for the careers of tomorrow,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “This collaboration helps strengthen our position as a leader in technology and innovation.”

The initiative kicked off last week with professional development training for educators, equipping them to bring NASA-inspired challenges into after-school programs.

“We are delighted that Michigan has been chosen for this incredible opportunity,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “This collaboration will provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.”

NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland will provide content, training, and opportunities for students to interact with scientists and engineers while solving real-world STEM challenges.

“By engaging in NASA learning opportunities, students are challenged to use critical thinking and creativity to solve real-world challenges,” said Darlene Walker, director of NASA’s Glenn Research Center Office of STEM Engagement.

Ten 21st CCLC learning sites across Michigan will host the program:

  • Stout Middle School – Dearborn
  • BC STEM Innovation Center – Battle Creek
  • Clare Middle School – St. Clare
  • Detroit African Youth Development Organization (DAYDO) – Detroit
  • Lee Middle School – Wyoming
  • Leslie Middle School – Reaching Higher – Leslie
  • Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts – Kalamazoo
  • Charles Hackley Middle School – Impact Program – Muskegon
  • Fostering Leadership Academy – Redford Charter Township
  • White Cloud Junior High School – White Cloud

“Our team at MiLEAP is proud to support programs that inspire and invest in our youth every day,” said Rawlan Lillard II, deputy director of Education Partnerships at MiLEAP.

Site coordinators emphasized the program’s impact on students and their communities.

“We are very excited to provide this amazing opportunity to our students,” said Kristen Ambroggio, site coordinator at Leslie Middle School. “This is a great experience for our students, community, and school district.”

For more information about NASA STEM Education, visit NASA.gov/stem. To learn more about Michigan’s 21st CCLC programs, visit the MiLEAP Education Partnerships webpage.

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Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu to headline 2025 MLK celebration https://michiganbanner.org/2024/12/16/community/rev-nontombi-naomi-tutu-to-headline-2025-mlk-celebration/ Tue, 17 Dec 2024 02:52:55 +0000 https://michiganbanner.org/?p=11651 Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) is preparing to host its 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, featuring Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu as the keynote speaker. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the Malcolm Field Theatre, located in Curtiss Hall on the university’s campus.

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SAGINAW, MI — Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) is preparing to host its 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, featuring Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu as the keynote speaker. The event is scheduled for Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Malcolm Field Theatre, located in Curtiss Hall on the university’s campus.

Rev. Tutu, a prominent race and gender justice activist, is widely known for her work advocating for human rights and addressing systemic inequality. Having grown up in apartheid South Africa, her experiences shaped her commitment to social justice. Over the years, she has built a reputation as a powerful and engaging speaker, delivering messages of unity and action to audiences around the globe.

The program will include the presentation of the MLK Scholarship Awards, recognizing students for their academic achievements and commitment to community service. The event will also feature the Regional Drum Major Awards, which honor individuals whose leadership and service reflect the values and vision of Dr. King.

The celebration is designed to bring together the SVSU community and the public to reflect on Dr. King’s enduring legacy and to inspire continued efforts toward equity and inclusion. By hosting events that highlight influential voices like Rev. Tutu, the university fosters meaningful discussions and encourages positive change.

The event is open to the public, with accommodations available for those with disabilities. Individuals requiring assistance are directed to contact The Conference Center at SVSU at 989-964-4348 at least three days in advance. Further details about the celebration can be found at svsu.edu/mlk or by calling the Office of Diversity Programs at 989-964-4068.

SVSU’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration is made possible through the support of regional sponsors and community partners, reflecting a shared commitment to honoring Dr. King’s mission of justice and equality.

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Tax caps lead Saginaw’s 2025 agenda https://michiganbanner.org/2024/12/16/community/tax-caps-lead-saginaws-2025-agenda/ Tue, 17 Dec 2024 02:44:16 +0000 https://michiganbanner.org/?p=11644 A proposal to support state legislation to remove all local property tax limits, including the city's 45-year-old caps on both the rates and revenue, has received the City Council's backing.

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SAGINAW, MI – A proposal to support state legislation to remove all local property tax limits, including the city’s 45-year-old caps on both the rates and revenue, has received the City Council’s backing.

They were surprised by Councilman Michael Balls’ sudden motion on Dec. 9 to move forward, but they voted 8-0 in favor, with newcomer Carly Rose Hammond not in attendance.

They also indicated that if the state action fails, which is likely with Republicans re-taking control of the Legislature, they will place a repeal on the local ballot.

Residents approved the tax caps in 1979 as part of Ronald Reagan’s national  anti-government movement that led to his election to the U.S. presidency a year later. The City Charter amendment freezes the rate at 7.5 mills, but more importantly, revenue is iced at $3.83 million, with no adjustment for inflation.

This has caused many tax-cap critics to inaccurately claim city government is forced to “live on a 1979 income,” overlooking the fact that revenue comes from multiple sources other than property assessments. In fact, this year’s general fund is $45 million, compared to $19 million in 1979.

The freeze’s author, attorney Al Schmid, had been an unsuccessful council candidate himself, but citizens embraced the tax cut in following one of the era’s most prominent local politicians, Dr. Walter C. Averill III. City Council members tried several times for a repeal during the 1980s but failed. They switched gears in 1989 and won  support for a 50 percent hike in the income tax rate, which has remained in place since then with no requirement for renewal referendums.

The city’s revenue cap has pushed this year’s rate down to 6.7 mills. The City Charter’s maximum allowable rate was 10 mills prior to the 1979 referendum, which means a vote to remove the tax caps could lead to an increase up to 3.3 mills. In comparison, the latest school bond for Saginaw United High and other improvements is 6 mills and a new countywide roads levy is 2 mills.

The original 1964 city income tax rate was 1 percent for residents, 0.5 percent for non-residents who work in the city. The 1989 increase raised the shares to 1.5 and 0.75, among an array of ways that leaders through the years have avoided the most damaging impact. Other tax-cap-dodgers have been:

  • A separate tax for rubbish pickup was 3 mills before higher-value property owners achieved a switch to a flat fee that this year has reached a new annual peak of $240.
  • A 7.5-mill special assessment to help avoid more cuts in police and fire, approved in 2005 and renewed in landslide votes, causing confusion and consternation on reasons for residents to reject rescinding the caps, while backing a special purpose millage for a larger sum of money.
  • The Civic Center was removed from the city’s general fund with a countywide tax of 0.45 mill.
  • Transit was pulled from the budget with creation of STARS, Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services, which has unsuccessfully aimed to go countywide like the Civic Center, now The Dow, and thus must rely on a city-only levy of 3.2 mills. A single 1 mill in the city limits raises only $650,000 with the local demise of General Motors,  while the same rate countywide produces $6.5 million.

Behind the scenes, talk of trying to lift the property caps again, after a three-decade hiatus,  returned while Floyd Kloc, the former city attorney, was Brenda Moore’s mayoral predecessor. Kloc’s view has been that the best chance to persuade voters will be if a cap-cut proposal is initiated by a citizens’ advocate group, not from the City Council on high. This outlook has led to nothing being placed on the ballot until Balls’ call to action.

More discussion is likely during the council’s annual planning session at 9 a.m. on Jan. 31, a Friday.

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Flint & Genesee launches small business grant program https://michiganbanner.org/2024/12/12/business/flint-genesee-launches-small-business-grant-program/ Thu, 12 Dec 2024 18:46:18 +0000 https://michiganbanner.org/?p=11626 Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025

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FLINT, MI — The Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance has introduced a new initiative to support small businesses throughout Genesee County. The Flint & Genesee Small Business Hub Grant Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury and administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), aims to strengthen the local economy by providing financial support to businesses at various stages of growth.

Applications for the program are now open, with a submission deadline of 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. The program will award $210,000 in grants to eligible businesses, offering grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the size and stage of the business.

The grant program targets three categories of businesses:

  • Start-ups, defined as businesses operating for less than a year, can apply for grants of up to $5,000.
  • Micro-businesses, which have been in operation for more than a year and employ fewer than 10 full-time staff, are eligible for up to $10,000.
  • Small businesses with 10 or more full-time employees can apply for grants of up to $15,000.

Businesses interested in applying must complete a two-step process. First, applicants must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to determine eligibility. Once the LOI is approved, applicants can proceed to the full application.

The full application requires details such as a current business plan, proof of business registration, and a proposed budget for the use of funds. Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being located in Genesee County, being properly registered, and remaining in good standing.

Nonprofits, franchises, and businesses involved in bankruptcy proceedings are not eligible. Grantees will also participate in a four-week training program consisting of two virtual and two in-person sessions. The training is a mandatory requirement before funds are disbursed.

The grant funds can be used for a variety of business needs, including purchasing equipment, inventory, marketing services, and certifications. However, expenses must be new and cannot include alterations to building structures.

All expenditures must be completed and documented by Sept. 12, 2025. To ensure accountability, grantees must upload receipts to the grant’s online management system. Program staff will also conduct regular check-ins with recipients to track progress and compliance.

The Flint & Genesee Small Business Hub Grant Program is part of a broader effort to foster economic development across the region. By investing in local businesses, the program aims to create jobs, support entrepreneurs, and contribute to the area’s long-term prosperity.

More information can be found on the grant program’s website. For assistance with the application process, businesses can contact Terance Green at (810) 600-1407.

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SVSU to celebrate commencement ceremonies for over 500 graduates https://michiganbanner.org/2024/12/11/education/svsu-to-celebrate-commencement-ceremonies-for-over-500-graduates/ Wed, 11 Dec 2024 23:08:29 +0000 https://michiganbanner.org/?p=11618 Mark Murray to deliver keynote address and receive honorary degree

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SAGINAW, MI — Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) will host its annual commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 14, celebrating over 530 students as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

The ceremonies, recognizing achievements across five colleges, will be held in SVSU’s Ryder Center and livestreamed for virtual attendees.

Graduates from the College of Arts and Behavioral Sciences, the Scott L. Carmona College of Business, and the College of Science, Engineering and Technology will participate in a morning ceremony at 10 a.m.

The afternoon ceremony, starting at 2:30 p.m., will feature graduates from the College of Education and the Crystal M. Lange College of Health and Human Services.

Mark Murray, vice chairman of Meijer’s board of directors and an esteemed leader in education and government, will deliver keynote addresses at both ceremonies. In recognition of his contributions, SVSU President George Grant Jr. will confer an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree upon Murray during the 10 a.m. event.

Murray brings a distinguished legacy of leadership to the occasion. Having served as co-chief executive officer of Meijer from 2013 and as president since 2006, he played a pivotal role in expanding the company, adding 24 supercenters and boosting annual sales by more than 20%.

His tenure in academia includes serving as the third president of Grand Valley State University (GVSU), where he spearheaded international partnerships and strengthened educational initiatives.

Before his contributions to higher education and corporate leadership, Murray dedicated over two decades to Michigan state government, holding critical roles such as state budget director, state treasurer, and education advisor to Governor John Engler.

A proud alumnus of Michigan State University, Murray holds both a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s in labor and industrial relations.

SVSU graduates continue to make an impact in high-demand fields across the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond. Recent data from the university’s Office of Career Services shows that 96% of graduates from 2019 to 2022 are employed or pursuing further education.

This year’s ceremonies mark not only the accomplishments of the graduating students but also the enduring strength of an SVSU education in preparing future leaders for success.

For those unable to attend in person, the events will be livestreamed on SVSU’s website.

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‎Saginaw‎ student wins congressional app challenge https://michiganbanner.org/2024/12/05/community/saginaw-student-wins-congressional-app-challenge/ Thu, 05 Dec 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://michiganbanner.org/?p=11578 Diya Ramakrishnan recognized for innovative healthcare app

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Diya Ramakrishnan

SAGINAW, MI — Detecting early signs of cancer and other serious health conditions could now be just a tap away, thanks to Diya Ramakrishnan.

The Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy sophomore has taken a bold step into the future of healthcare with her innovative app, earning her the top spot in Michigan’s Eighth District Congressional App Challenge. Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-08) proudly announced her achievement, highlighting her exceptional contribution to technology and medicine.

The Congressional App Challenge is an annual nationwide competition aimed at inspiring middle and high school students to design and submit original apps.

The initiative seeks to foster a deeper interest in coding and computer science while encouraging students to explore potential careers in the technology sector.

Ramakrishnan, was selected by a panel of independent judges for her app, “PolypDetect.”

The app leverages a sophisticated machine learning model to analyze colonoscopy images and videos, identifying abnormal tissue growths often associated with severe health conditions such as cancer and ulcerative colitis. A video demonstration of the app is available online.

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-08)

“As a cancer survivor, I understand the importance of early detection,” said Congressman Kildee.

“Apps like PolypDetect have the potential to save lives and mitigate health conditions for many people. I am truly inspired by the incredible talent in our district and appreciate all the students who challenged themselves to find modern solutions to improve our community.”

As part of her achievement, Ramakrishnan’s name, app image, app title, and congressional district will be prominently displayed on a rotating electronic exhibit in the tunnel leading to the U.S. Capitol Building.

Her work will be featured alongside winning submissions from other districts across the country, highlighting the contributions of young innovators nationwide.

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Hidden Harvest ‘feeds’ nearly 200 sites, large and small https://michiganbanner.org/2024/12/05/community/hidden-harvest-feeds-nearly-200-sites-large-and-small/ Thu, 05 Dec 2024 06:05:13 +0000 https://michiganbanner.org/?p=11606 Hidden Harvest has provided major support with grocery and restaurant surplus items, along with operating guidance, which demonstrates that the innovative agency supports numerous smaller sites beyond the adjacent East Side Soup Kitchen at the Hunger Solutions Center, 940 East Genesee near Janes.

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SAGINAW, MI — New Beginnings Ministries Outreach, 701 Hess in the city’s south end, is home to the Mi Casa Su Casa food and clothing distribution site.

Hidden Harvest has provided major support with grocery and restaurant surplus items, along with operating guidance, which demonstrates that the innovative agency supports numerous smaller sites beyond the adjacent East Side Soup Kitchen at the Hunger Solutions Center, 940 East Genesee near Janes.

With Hidden Harvest expansion into Bay and Midland counties under Samantha McKenzie, director and CEO, the ever-growing count has surpassed 175 for truck deliveries to grassroots operations like pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, youth after-school programs and senior sites.

To view the full list, visit hiddenharvestshares.org.

Collecting corn from Carigan Family Farm for distribution (Photo courtesy of Hidden Harvest)
From Left, Pastors Claudia and Augustine Delgado (Courtesy)

Mi Casa Su Casa, “my home (is) your home,” kicked off in 2021 as a response to COVID-19. The Rev. Augustine Delgado, New Beginnings pastor, and Claudia, his spouse, took note of major hardship during the pandemic’s peak. They witnessed the poverty both through the church and through his employment as a state DSS specialist assigned to Jessie Rouse Elementary, while she oversees the outreach during his hours at the nearby school.

Signs of struggles were as simple as neighborhood children walking and playing without winter coats.

Claudia’s first call was to McKenzie at Hidden Harvest, and soon a multi-age, multi-racial group of neighbors began arriving at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, some on foot, others in aging cars and trucks. Some lend helping hands to pass out the mix of kitchen staples, with various goodies also on the tables. After all, people in need also can enjoy a snack now and then.

And if anyone could use a jacket or a pair of jeans, some shoes or a sweater, those also are on hand. Plus there are school supplies for the kids, donated separately aside from Hidden Harvest, of course.

This all adds up to faith in action, regardless of whether Casa patrons actually join the New Beginnings congregation, Claudia notes.

Their location since 2015 was a Roaring ’20s-era fraternal lodge hall, and the basement is where the partying took place, with the kitchen taking up a lion’s share of the floor and a small corner cordoned for performers. Now the old rooms, beneath the modern updated church sanctuary, serve an outreach purpose that old-time lodge members may not have imagined.

Advice and footstuffs

Even before she took action to oversee a site, Claudia was volunteering at the Hunger Solutions Center on the city’s north end near downtown, where she first encountered Sam McKenzie

The Hidden Harvest leader follows an adage that “food is so much more than food.”

She elaborates: “It’s traditions … time spent together … a feeling of security … and it’s nutrition.”

Speaking of staples and sweets, especially at holiday time, Samantha offers the story of a grandmother who was lunching at the soup kitchen and learned that baking supplies, re-packaged by Hidden Harvest volunteers, were available from a pair of regional donors, Star of the West Milling and Michigan Sugar. The little ones were visiting her home for the weekend, and now they could make cookies together.

Ideas for contributions

Should we donate directly to Hidden Harvest or to a program closer to our homes? Fifty-fifty for both? Cash always brings gratitude, of course, but the smaller sites generally look for the canned goods and the nonperishables, while a larger operation is able to leverage every dollar into much larger value via bulk purchases.

Hidden Harvest started 30 years ago, with the Community Foundation’s leadership, to collect and distribute foods that were being thrown away, from corporate canned goods to local bakeries to participating restaurants. These are combined with donations from kindhearted family farmers in the local region, with one sample being the piles of take-what-you-wish sweet corn in summer.

A Hidden Harvest truck driver waves while preparing for a food distribution route. (Photo courtesy of Hidden Harvest)

The original cramped headquarters was the former downtown Sunoco station until 2005 construction of the Hunger Center provided expanded new homes for both Hidden Harvest and East Side Soup Kitchen, which had located in various church basements through the years.

Regardless of official poverty statistics since the millennium, both programs are drawing patrons counts that have multiplied many times over, and now the structure that was built to accommodate their prior lack of space no longer is big enough. Expansion will close Thompson street at the rear if plans move forward. Major support blends private contributions, a state grant and federal ARPA funds.

However, those monies would be for the building, separate from program operations, which is why holiday donations — cold cash or canned corn, along with simple volunteer time — always are welcome.

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Karen S. Carter appointed Chief Operating Officer at Dow https://michiganbanner.org/2024/12/05/business/karen-s-carter-appointed-chief-operating-officer-at-dow/ Thu, 05 Dec 2024 05:26:13 +0000 https://michiganbanner.org/?p=11597 Dow has announced Karen S. Carter as its new Chief Operating Officer, a role that reflects her more than three decades of leadership and innovation within the company.

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MIDLAND, MI – Dow has announced Karen S. Carter as its new Chief Operating Officer, a role that reflects her more than three decades of leadership and innovation within the company. Formerly the President of Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Carter will now oversee strategic and operational excellence across Dow’s key business segments.

In her new role, Carter will manage Dow’s three core business segments—Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure, and Performance Materials & Coatings. She will also align the company’s Integrated Supply Chain, Purchasing, Information Systems, and Commercial organizations under her leadership.

Jim Fitterling (Photo credit: The Dow Chemical Company)

Carter will be based in Midland and report directly to Dow Chair and CEO Jim Fitterling. She will also join the company’s Executive Committee, playing a pivotal role in shaping Dow’s strategic direction.

“Karen is a proven leader with more than three decades of experience at Dow delivering strong business results,” said Fitterling. “She has an excellent track record of operating discipline, maintaining close relationships with key partners and customers, and driving innovation across the organization. She has successfully led our largest business and played critical leadership roles in other essential business and functional teams within Dow, always with a focus on developing and maintaining high-performing teams.”

Carter’s career at Dow began in 1994 and has included leadership roles in operations, sales, marketing, and human resources. She most recently led the Packaging & Specialty Plastics division, which generated over $23 billion in annual sales and became one of Dow’s most profitable segments.

Under her leadership, the division introduced pioneering circular products such as REVOLOOP™ Recycled Plastic Resins and expanded Dow’s role in the circular economy through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Her contributions have positioned Dow as a leader in sustainable innovation.

Before leading Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Carter served as Dow’s Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Inclusion Officer. In these roles, she championed a culture of inclusivity, empowering employees to align their efforts with Dow’s long-term strategies.

Carter’s leadership experience extends globally, with roles spanning industries such as consumer electronics, construction, and engineering thermoplastics. Her expertise has been instrumental in driving business strategies and fostering innovation across diverse markets.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Carter is deeply committed to her community. She serves on the boards of Southwire and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region. She also chairs Michigan’s Black Leadership Advisory Council’s Business Leaders Committee and is a member of the Catalyst Board of Advisors and the Executive Leadership Council.

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Hair workshop for Black and Brown performers offered in Midland https://michiganbanner.org/2024/12/04/community/hair-workshop-for-black-and-brown-performers-offered-in-midland/ Thu, 05 Dec 2024 04:57:01 +0000 https://michiganbanner.org/?p=11594 The Midland Center for the Arts is taking steps to make backstage work more inclusive by hosting a unique workshop focused on hair styling for Black and Brown performers.

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MIDLAND, MI – Behind every great theatrical production is a team dedicated to ensuring every performer shines. The Midland Center for the Arts is taking steps to make backstage work more inclusive by hosting a unique workshop focused on hair styling for Black and Brown performers.

On Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, the Center will provide theater professionals with the skills to respectfully and effectively work with diverse hair textures. The workshop runs from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and will be led by Samantha Glasse, director of the Center’s production of Anne of Green Gables.

Participants will gain hands-on experience in techniques for styling different hair types. The session may also include an introduction to wig styling—valuable knowledge for professionals looking to expand their backstage expertise.

The event will be held backstage at the Midland Center for the Arts’ Little Theatre, 1801 W. St. Andrews Rd., Midland, MI 48640. The cost is $45 for the public and $35 for museum members. Members can register through their account to access the discount or contact the Ticket Office directly.

This initiative is part of a larger effort by the Center to make theater more inclusive and representative. A complementary virtual workshop on stage makeup for Black and Brown performers is scheduled for Jan. 18, 2025.

The makeup workshop will teach participants how to design and apply makeup tailored to performers with darker skin tones—a skill often overlooked in traditional theatrical training.

The Center’s efforts highlight an ongoing commitment to providing education that acknowledges the unique needs of performers of color. By equipping theater professionals with these essential skills, workshops like this aim to improve representation in the arts and foster an atmosphere of respect and care for all performers.

Registration is open online at midlandcenter.org, and spaces are limited. For more information, call the Midland Center for the Arts at (989) 631-8250.

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