Lifelong Flint resident Jerrid Heidel realized a dream when he bought the downtown Blackstone’s restaurant in August 2019. He had not yet rebuilt his financial reserves before a nightmare scenario occurred in March — the statewide shutdown of restaurants. But rather than sulk, Jerrid decided to do some good. He and Blackstone’s chef Jay Drekmeyer Continue Reading

Sharlene Howe’s Howe Art Studio in Swartz Creek has a comfortable, welcoming ambiance where people can enjoy themselves with no barriers. But the COVID pandemic proved insurmountable, and she was forced to close the studio for in-person instruction this spring. That’s when she pivoted. She learned how to use Zoom, and with no experience with Continue Reading

Samantha Jacques was named vice president of clinical engineering at McLaren Health Care in December, after holding a similar position at Penn State University. “Health care wasn’t new to me,” she said. “But being new to the area and having to figure this out was quite difficult.” “This,” of course, was the COVID-19 pandemic. The Continue Reading

Mary has provided caring service to Flint and Genesee County for more than 40 years, most recently as a caseworker at Family Service Agency of Mid Michigan for senior clients who require guardianship. Mary exceeds her quarterly visitation requirements and sees her clients every month. She develops close relationships with her clients to ensure they Continue Reading

Those who know him describe Isaiah Oliver — the president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint — as young, inspiring and an exciting leader to follow. Poise and proactiveness are integral to his paid position, but Isaiah’s creativeness has cemented opportunities for the Greater Flint area. For example, his continued cultivation of Continue Reading

John Panos — owner of Liberty Family Dining is always looking for ways to give back. This has been a rough year for many people due to COVID-19. Being a small-business owner, it wasn’t clear in the beginning when businesses closed how long it would last. That didn’t stop John from wanting to acknowledge the Continue Reading

Pastor Dawn Ramirez is executive director of Little Lamb’s Compassionate Ministry Center (LLCMC), a Flint nonprofit that provides clothing, safe sleeping options and car seats for Genesee County children and families. But during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown, Pastor Dawn extended the mission of LLCMC to provide something that children and families desperately needed: Continue Reading

Tauzzari Robinson, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint, is described as an exceptional leader and individual who continually makes a remarkable and concerted influence on youth in Flint and Genesee County. Growing up as a Club member in Orrville, Ohio, Tauzzari knows firsthand the positive impact the Boys & Girls Club Continue Reading

The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan staff, led by President and CEO Kara Ross, has continued to rise to the challenge to help feed those who are facing hunger. Throughout the pandemic, it has maintained an open line of communication with faith leaders, schools, health care facilities, soup kitchens and other partners to assess how Continue Reading

Like other restaurants, Café Rhema closed its doors to customers in mid-March. Owner Joshua Spencer determined it was time to get creative and figure out not only how to survive the pandemic, but also to continue serving the community. Partnering with the local faith community, he went about figuring out how to provide meals to Continue Reading