Member news – SpaceLab Detroit

Meet Mari Byrd

April 22, 2022by spacelabdetroit2 Comments

Mail Coordinator and Office Assistant at SpaceLab | Owner of Accessories by Gigi

In November, Mari Byrd joined the team at SpaceLab Detroit to assist with our growing virtual office and mail service. She has quickly become a valuable part of our entire community, helping to nurture our welcoming atmosphere.

Mari is an entrepreneur; she owns Accessories by Gigi and is designing and developing a line of high-end handbags. The company’s new website will be live soon. (Ask her about “Full Circle.”). See her discussion with NextOpp Social on Embracing Small Beginnings on the Way to Merchandising Success.

Previously, Mari was Business Liaison for Detroit’s District 2, working with Councilman Roy McCalister, Jr., connecting with and assisting business owners in problem solving, identifying opportunities for capital, talent resources, and business support from various City Departments. Her professional experience also includes managing art galleries at Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion and consulting as an event planner.

SpaceLab at Work: Meet Madison

June 25, 2021June 30, 2021by spacelabdetroitLeave a comment

Who’s the new face at SpaceLab. Madison joined us about 6 months ago as a high school intern and Mail Associate. She makes sure all of the mail we receive is sorted and distributed professionally. Madison is organized and very meticulous is her work and is a great addition to the SpaceLab team.

A rising senior in Detroit, Madison says math is her favorite subject, and she is an integral member of her school’s robotics team. Madison joined the team because she wanted to build something. “I wanted (my) creativity to flow on a physical project.” She wasn’t able to participate in robotics when she was in middle school, but was persistent in joining the high school team. She proudly reports that her Renaissance team has participated in state competition and world competitions.

Madison plans to combine her love for robotics and engineering with architecture. Since working at SpaceLab, she’s been introduced to many architects, real estate professionals, and others who’ve given advice and shared experiences that can help her along her career journey. Madison hopes to attend college in California or Florida, and one personal and professional goal is to have a hand in making her parent’s dream come true by designing a new home for them.

Newest Coworkers Design and Power City Buildings

January 6, 2021by spacelabdetroitLeave a comment

Welcome Bryant Electrical Contractor and Dokes Design & Architecture to SpaceLab Detroit!

Roland Bryant is founder at Bryant Electrical Contractor and leads the company in a variety of project types. Successful projects include those with the City of Detroit – at Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Belle Isle and Cadillac Square – Eastern Market Corp, Detroit Metro Airport, multifamily residential projects, and health facilities, including the USC Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Dokes Design Architecture is a full-service design firm with a focus on urban building projects. Founder and principal Kimberly Dokes was recently named one of Crain’s Detroit Business’ Notable Women in Design. Damon Dickerson is the company’s Director of Architecture and an adjunct professor at University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture.

Caldwell teaches nonprofit series at Schoolcraft College

December 22, 2020by spacelabdetroitLeave a comment

SpaceLab member Orletta Caldwell is founder and CEO of Beyond Existing Enterprises. With 20 years in the nonprofit industry, she’s sharing her expertise through a seven-week series at Schoolcraft College. Courses in the series are:

Ethics & the Nonprofit
Communications & Marketing for Nonprofits
Volunteer Recruitment, Management & Retention
Grant Research & Writing
Leadership & Governance in Nonprofit Organizations
Financial Management for Nonprofits
Certificate in Nonprofit Management

Classes begin January 19, 2021. Register on the Schoolcraft website.

Welcome New Members!

August 28, 2020September 5, 2020by spacelabdetroitLeave a comment

We’re excited about the new members to our community! Where available, please click on the link at their business name to get more info on how they are creating, innovating and building in Detroit and beyond.

Ray Batra
Shift_Up is a “Learning Gym” that blends the best flexible online courses with professional coaching and community to offer effective and affordable solutions to upgrade your skills—virtually, or in-person.

LJ Golden Realty
Ronita Coleman

Detroit Delivers
Karen Thornton

Phillips Spic & Span Cleaning Service
Lethaniel Phillips & Terry Phillips

Blue Horizon Construction
Kalaya Long

iBartend | V&J Management Group
Veronique Fariala
iBartend is a fun an exclusive “Shake and Sip” bartending class perfect for small groups, celebrations, date night and overall liquor knowledge.

A Bridge of Hope Foundation
Bridgette Schuler

A|Squared Legal Group, PLC
Alari K. Adams

Work Space Spark
Dorethia Kelly

Amesite
Madison Bush

Meet more of our SpaceLab community here.

Detroit businesses share good news even during COVID-19 crisis

April 7, 2020April 8, 2020by spacelabdetroitLeave a comment

SpaceLab members are continuing to operate their businesses and serve their clients. Here’s some great news they’ve shared over the past weeks. We hope the good news motivates you to keep moving your business forward.

Member SDG Architects & Planners is architect for the Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole (COW) office renovation in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (CAYMC) – the first renovation of the area in over 40 years. SDG worked with LLP Construction Services on this Design-Build project.

photo by LLP Construction Services

Izzie LLC has contracted with the City of Highland Park to disinfect and sanitize the city’s four main buildings: Police Headquarters, Fire Department, Robert B. Blackwell Municipal Building, and the Ernest T. For Recreation Center.

Black Girl MATHgic reached a milestone with founder Brittany A. Rhodes giving her first-ever presentation as a full-time “mathpreneur” at the Mid School Math Conference in Santa Fe, NM, the largest middle school mathematics conference in the nation, in early March.

New members LottMetz Crutcher Architecture – a partnership of Grand Rapids-based Lott3Metz Architecture LLC and metro Detroit’s Crutcher Studio, Inc. – came together to propose larger developments in Southeast Michigan and plan to “positively contribute to Detroit’s urban revolution.” Read more on MiBiz >>>

Karen Burton, along with Saundra Little, AIA, spent time with Melissa R. Daniel on her podcast Architecture is Political. The conversation focused on architecture, their Noir Design Parti project, Detroit and entrepreneurship. Listen here >>>

Limited Access at SpaceLab during COVID-19 health crisis includes Mail Processing

March 30, 2020June 5, 2020by spacelabdetroitLeave a comment

Governor Gretchen Whitmer (MI) issued a Stay Home, Stay Safe order for all non-essential businesses that took effect, Tuesday, March 24 at 12:01 a.m. It will be in place for at least three (3) weeks in response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

SpaceLab is currently closed for most business activity. However, as a postal agent, we will continue to process mail from the downtown location. We ask all Virtual/Mail customers to schedule mail pickup between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 313-379-7000 or email info@spacelabdetroit.com to schedule.

As always, Members with a keycard or keyfob still have access at both downtown and Seven Mile Road locations should you need to retrieve something. Use your best judgement when entering the space, as regular daily cleaning activity has ceased. Cleaning products and hand sanitizer are still in the space for your use.

There should not be any meetings or gatherings taking place at the downtown or Seven Mile locations.

Additionally, Day Passes have been suspended at both locations until further notice.

As current events and messaging about COVID-19 evolve, we continue to monitor and implement recommendations by government and health officials. We understand how difficult this time is as you continue to operate your business. Please email Bobby or me if you need assistance in any way, and we will do our best to help. See our Support Resources and Events pages for more information.

Karen A.D. Burton

Co-founder and CEO

SpaceLab Detroit

Historian and diversity and inclusion advocate Karen Burton introduces audiences to Detroit’s Black architects

February 13, 2020March 20, 2020by spacelabdetroitLeave a comment

SpaceLab’s co-founder and CEO Karen Burton is an educator, historian, and diversity and inclusion advocate in the architecture and construction industry. Along with her colleague Saundra Little, AIA, NOMA, she founded Noir Design Parti, a Knight Arts Challenge winning project that chronicles the projects and career journeys of Michigan’s African American Architects. On Feb. 17, an interview with Karen will air on Michigan Radio where she will introduce listeners to Donald White, AIA, the first Black graduate of the University of Michigan’s College of Architecture and Michigan’s and Alabama’s first licensed Black architect.

Karen and Saundra will discuss the role of Black architects in Detroit’s design history to students in the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP) on Feb. 15, and on Feb. 21 at 5:30 PM, they’ll lead a panel discussion with five of Detroit’s leading architects at The University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture.

Karen will also be a panelist on the topic “Revitalizing ‘Main Street'” at the 10th Annual Detroit Impact Conference, the flagship event of the Detroit Revitalization and Business (DR&B) Club at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

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

November 1, 2019March 20, 2020by spacelabdetroitLeave a comment

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 >>>

Jujuan Buford brings business expertise to SpaceLab community

August 27, 2019August 27, 2019by spacelabdetroitLeave a comment

SpaceLab welcomes Jujuan Buford and JSB Business Solutions to our community of professionals.

From Jujuan S. Buford’s bio:

JuJuan Buford is a native Detroiter, successful entrepreneur, public speaker, and business development specialist. He’s dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

Jujuan is driven by the belief that entrepreneurship is empowerment. He brings approximately 20 years of experience gained from the banking and financial planning industry. As a business development professional with JSB Business Solutions LLC, Jujuan helps small business owners navigate the same challenges that large corporations are confronted with: research and development, securing more clients, increasing profits, scaling, retaining talented employees, making better financial, tax & accounting, and legal decisions, and protecting their business interests.