SpaceLab Member Audra Carson awarded Olivet College’s Distinguished Alumni Award

Audra Carson, founder, owner and Chief Beautification Strategist at Izzie, LLC and host of the CommuniD Podcast was awarded Olivet College’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor presented to alumni for living out the College’s mission and values. One of Olivet classmates also endowed a scholarship in Audra’s name.

When asked why it’s important to her to give back to the Detroit community, Audra responds, “I love the city with my whole heart and I love the people with my whole heart. I couldn’t see myself anywhere else… It is paramount to me that at this moment in history, with society minimalizing authentic connection, that I highlight Detroiters who are creating communities in their unique and beautiful ways.”

Congratulations, Audra!

Read her entire interview with Fox 47 News >>>

SpaceLab Welcomes Non-Profit Consultant Orletta Caldwell

Orletta Caldwell has hosted workshops at SpaceLab, and now she’s a member. After attending the opening of the 7Mile location, Orletta decided to align her business with our coworking community.

Through her company, Beyond Existing Enterprises, LLC (BEE), Orletta assures that her clients – no matter the size – can build sustainable organizations.  Her approach is to empower the team.

BEE addresses the capacity building needs of nonprofit and faith-based organizations. Services include grant writing, nonprofit start-up filings, strategic planning, capacity building, board development, coalition building, and financial services. Services to for-profits businesses are also available.

Beyond Existing Enterprises logo

Orletta starts with a comprehensive consultation that helps identify gaps and opportunities and delivers a comprehensive report that includes a project plan with timelines and milestones, a cost analysis, and a schedule. BEE also offers a suite of quality products that will help you reach your goals quickly and smoothly. That’s one way the consultancy ensures your success.

Smart Cities, Smart Citizens: A Detroit Design Month Panel Discussion

Smart Cities use information and communications technologies, including the Internet of things (IoT) sensors, to collect data to efficiently manage resources and share information to improve the quality of government services and citizen welfare.

During Detroit Month of Design, SpaceLab Detroit will present a panel discussion and interactive workshop exploring how Detroit citizens can participate in the design of Smart City projects; their application in our streets, neighborhoods and public spaces; and the potential for smart technologies to promote inclusion and equity in our city.

Panelists will include government officials, designers, urban planners, technology professionals and social innovators. Workshop participants will present issues that plague neighborhoods and the city and develop ideas for smart city technologies that can help reduce or solve problems and increase the quality of services and quality of life.

Panelists:

  • Danna Reyes – Urban Planner, The Mannik & Smith Group (moderator)
  • Joshua Edmonds – Director of Digital Inclusion, City of Detroit
  • W. David Tarver – Founder & President, Urban Entrepreneurship Initiative
  • Juan Shannon, Parker Village (Highland Park)

This event is born out of a discussion with students from Southeastern High School in Detroit. The workshop portion of the event promotes collaboration among citizens, government, designers, planners and others. Detroit residents (community) will be invited to share issues they believe can be resolved through smart city technologies.

This event is an official part of the Detroit Month of Design 2019 program which takes place September 1-30, 2019. Programmed by Design Core, Detroit Month of Design is a citywide celebration of creativity that gathers designers and the greater community to celebrate Detroit’s role as a UNESCO City of Design.