The Hustle
As of the 2012 census, there were more than 60,000 small businesses in Detroit and nearly 49,000 of them were Black-owned. These businesses and the people who run them are often anchors in their communities: providing neighbors with opportunities for employment, recreation, support and socializing; as well as access to quality goods and services and skilled care.
After receiving nearly 800 nominations from across Detroit, we're thrilled to announce our honorees! The following entrepreneurs will be featured in exhibitions at the Detroit Historical Museum in 2022 and 2023:
The Fixers:
· Adrienne Bennett - Benkari LLC (18427 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit)
· Jarrell Lowman - Handy Relocations
· Orson Porter - Orson's Collision & Auto Repair (19541 Grand River Ave., Detroit)
· Djenaba Ali - Black Bottom Garden Center (9227 Goodwin Ave., Detroit)
· Algernon Bartell - Times Square Clothing / 42nd Street / The MadHatter/ The RedDoor / The Shoe Box / Suits 4 Less (19150 Livernois Ave., 17301 Mack Ave., 19164 Livernois Ave., 19330 Livernois Ave., 19186 Livernois Ave., 19131 Livernois Ave., Detroit)
· Emmalene Hunter - The Fashion Place (Fisher Building, 3011 W. Grand Boulevard, Suite 114A, Detroit)
· Frederick Paul II - Fahrenheit 313 (20114 Livernois Ave., Detroit)
· Candace Williams - Barks Fifth Avenue (19359 Livernois Ave., Detroit)
· Danyell Bragg - Hair By Danni Bee (19190 Greenfield, Detroit)
· Lorenzo Pearson - Untouchable Empire Unisex Salon (15758 Wyoming, Detroit)
The Foodies:
· Bert Dearing - Bert's Marketplace and Jazz Restaurant (2727 Russell St., Detroit)
· Nya Marshall - IVY Kitchen + Cocktails (9215 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit)
· Seajoseffer ("Joe") Spencer - Louisiana Creole Gumbo Restaurant and Food Trucks (2051 Gratiot Ave., Detroit)
· The Thomas Family - Sweet Potato Sensations Bakery (17337 Lahser Rd., Detroit)
· Raphael Wright - Neighborhood Grocery (500 Manistique, Detroit)
Artist and Entertainers:
· Cathryn Coleman - Bouncing Around the Motor City (13238 Fenkell, Detroit)
· Kelli Cooke and Jordyn Watson - Detroit Selfie Museum (719 Griswold St, Ste. 170, Detroit)
· Carl W. Hollier - “DJ Invisible” & Invisible Entertainment
· Khyiana Tate – Signing with Khy
Creators and Makers:
· Luci Butts - Chilled Peels Lemonade
· Ali Evans - GODNII
· Akil Alvin - Digital Detroit Media (DDM)
· Sherrie Savage - Naturally ILLustrated, LLC
· Emmanual Smith - “Mr E in the D”
· M. Kay Willingham - Art in Motion (19939 Livernois Ave., Detroit)
Helpers and Caregivers:
· Patrick Hines - Functional Fluidics (440 Burroughs St., Ste. 641, Detroit)
· Khali Sweeney - Downtown Boxing Gym (6445 E. Vernor Hwy., Detroit)
· Alison Vaughn - Jackets for Jobs (5555 Conner St., Ste. 2097, Detroit)
· Latricia Wilder - Vibe Ride Detroit (1026 Randolph St., Detroit)
Other:
· Richard Blanding - Scrap Soils (21566 Orchard St., Detroit)
· Marc D'Andre - 7Mile Radio
· Arthur C. Davis - “A Work of Art” Executive Protection
· Mykolas Rambus - Hush
· Tyrell Slappey, Terrance Crowell, and Markita Richardson - Round 1 Gaming Lab
The Hustle is sponsored by Gilbert Family Foundation, Toyota Motor North America, AAA-The Auto Club Group, Bank of America, PNC Bank, JPMorgan Chase, and Dykema.
Media sponsors: Michigan Chronicle and The LEE Group.
Photo by Monica Morgan