Michigan Business Network

Michigan Business Network

The Home of Business in Michigan. Get on-demand access to audio programs, articles and resources presented by savvy business leaders and industry experts.

  1. 2d ago

    Michigan Business Beat | Charity Dean, MBBA, Advancing Black Business Growth Across Michigan

    Originally uploaded July 27th, reloaded August 17th. Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Charity Dean, CEO, Michigan Black Business Alliance (MBBA), Detroit, MI. Welcome, Charity, we weren't able to fit you in at Mackinac, can you tell us about MBBA? MBBA is celebrating five years of impact this year. Looking back, what accomplishments are you most proud of, and what do they say about the needs and opportunities facing Black entrepreneurs across Michigan? MBBA recently released its 2026 Policy Pillars. What are the top priorities you believe policymakers, business leaders, and economic development stakeholders should focus on to help small businesses thrive? Your report highlights nearly $14.7 million in capital access facilitated or supported, and almost 2,000 entrepreneurs served. What barriers do Black-owned businesses still face when it comes to accessing capital and growth opportunities? As Michigan looks toward the 2026 election cycle and continued economic development discussions, what role should entrepreneurship and small business growth play in shaping the state's future? MBBA has expanded its reach across communities, including Detroit, Flint, and Grand Rapids. What is your vision for the organization's next five years, and what impact do you hope to have on Michigan's business ecosystem? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: X.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Michigan Black Business Alliance Marks Five Years with Release of 2026 Policy Pillars Ahead of Mackinac Policy Conference, Calling for Greater Investment in Black-Owned Businesses and Small Business Growth Across Michigan As Michigan prepares for a pivotal election cycle, MBBA outlines key policy priorities impacting entrepreneurs, economic opportunity and the future of small business statewide DETROIT — May 2026 — As leaders from across the state gather for the Mackinac Policy Conference to discuss Michigan’s economic future, the Michigan Black Business Alliance (MBBA) is marking five years of impact with the release of its 2026 Policy Pillars and Five-Year Impact Report, outlining priorities to strengthen Black-owned businesses, expand economic opportunity and support long-term small business growth across Michigan. The release comes at a pivotal moment as Michigan enters a consequential 2026 election cycle that includes races for governor, U.S. Senate and the Michigan House. MBBA says the conversations shaping Michigan’s future must include entrepreneurs and small businesses, particularly Black-owned businesses that continue to face barriers to capital, procurement opportunities and sustainable growth. Since launching in 2021, MBBA has supported nearly 2,000 entrepreneurs across Michigan, facilitated or supported more than $14.7 million in capital access, connected members to more than 1,500 business opportunities and delivered more than 7,000 hours of one-on-one technical assistance through programs designed to help businesses start, grow and scale. ### About the Michigan Black Business Alliance The Michigan Black Business Alliance (MBBA) is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the racial wealth gap by developing programs and advancing policies that support profitable, sustainable Black-owned businesses across Michigan.

    Michigan Business Beat | Charity Dean, MBBA, Advancing Black Business Growth Across Michigan
  2. 3d ago

    NLEA 2026 Economic Symposium Closing Panel: A Conversation with the Northern Michigan Caucus Part 2

    Friday, May 15th, from 8 am – 2 pm at Boyne Mountain Resort, MBN joined the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance for their 2026 Economic Symposium. Following the Keynote Speaker, David Malpass, there were several Breakout Sessions to choose from: Made in Northern Michigan: How Regional Manufacturing Is Powering a Stronger Economy – Grown in Northern Michigan: State of the Agriculture Sector – Built in Northern Michigan: Developing a Strong Construction Sector – Open For Business: How Local Leaders Can Encourage Business and Community Investment – The annual awards luncheon, then, finally, was the two-part video content shared here covering the... Closing Panel: A Conversation with the Northern Michigan Caucus Northern Lakes Economic Alliance of Michigan's communities and businesses don’t operate in a vacuum; they operate within a policy environment that can either support or inhibit them. Join members of the Northern Michigan Caucus for a dynamic and candid conversation about the state decisions shaping the region’s economic future. This closing panel brought to the gathering the legislators influencing policies around infrastructure, housing, taxes, regulatory reform, and other areas critical to economic resilience. Gain insight into what’s emerging from Lansing, how it impacts northern Michigan, and how regional leaders can work together to advance practical, forward-thinking solutions. Representative Parker Fairbairn, 107th District Representative Cam Cavitt, 106th District Senator John Damoose, 37th District The session was moderated by the NLEA President and CEO, Payton Heins, CEcD.

    NLEA 2026 Economic Symposium Closing Panel: A Conversation with the Northern Michigan Caucus Part 2
  3. 3d ago

    Michigan Business Beat | Alexander Rusek, Foster Swift, Protecting Businesses From Deepfake Fraud

    Chris Holman welcomes back Alexander S. Rusek, Shareholder, Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC, Lansing, with 5 locations across Michigan. Alex, artificial intelligence is making it easier than ever to create convincing fake images, videos, and voices. What are "deep fakes," and why should every Michigan business owner be paying attention to this growing threat? We've heard about deep fakes targeting celebrities and public figures, but how are criminals using this technology to commit fraud against businesses, their employees, and even families? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ August 12, 2026 Speaking Engagements Event Sponsor: Foster Swift Second Wednesday Series The Deepfake Threat: Protect Your Business, Employees and Family Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to create new tools and opportunities for businesses, but it is also being used by scammers to fuel a rapidly growing new wave of cybercrime. From AI-generated voice clones to authorize fraudulent wire transfers, to deepfake impersonation videos targeting executives, businesses of all sizes face evolving risks that can have significant legal, financial, and reputational consequences. Join our August 2nd Wednesday as moderator Rob Hamor welcomes back criminal law attorney Alex Rusek for a practical discussion on how AI and deepfakes are being used against businesses, executives, and even families. When: August 12, from 12:00-12:30 pm Registration: https://bit.ly/2ndWeds2026 Topics during this session include: Understanding Deepfake Threats Learn about deepfakes, voice cloning, and AI impersonation technologies, along with emerging legal considerations. How Scammers are Using AI & Deepfakes to Target Businesses Fraudulent payment and wire transfer requests. Fake executive audio and video communications. Other reputational attacks via manipulated content. Legal Strategies for Business Protection Policies and procedures to verify financial transactions. Internal employee training considerations. Overview of Michigan's Protection from Intimate Deep Fakes Act and the federal TAKE IT DOWN Act, potential civil and criminal consequences for the misuse of AI-generated content, and available legal options. For Parents: Protect Your Children from Online Deception Children are also targets of deepfakes both online and on social media by predators and even classmates who are using AI. A brief look into: AI-generated social media profiles and identities meant to deceive. Sextortion and online extortion schemes via manipulated images. Steps that parents can take to educate and protect children. AI continues to create new tools and opportunities for businesses. But someone else is also benefiting: cybercriminals. From AI-generated voice clones to deepfake impersonation videos, businesses of all sizes face evolving risks that can have significant legal, financial, and reputational consequences. Join business attorney Rob Hamor and criminal law attorney Alex Rusek next Wednesday, August 2, for a practical discussion on how AI and deepfakes are being used against businesses, executives, and even families.

    Michigan Business Beat | Alexander Rusek, Foster Swift, Protecting Businesses From Deepfake Fraud
  4. 3d ago

    Michigan Business Beat | Shelia Scott, LAFCU Accepting Donations -Annual Back-to-School Extravaganza

    Originally uploaded July 30th, reloaded August 6th. Chris Holman welcomes back Shelia Scott, Community Financial Education and Business Development Officer, LAFCU headquarters, West Lansing, MI. Their discussion for this video: LAFCU’s Back-to-School Extravaganza Event – Accepting donations Q1: LAFCU is hosting its annual Back-to-School Extravaganza again this year. Tell us why LAFCU is committed to this event, now in its fifth year. A: Imagine walking into your classroom on the first day of school without a backpack, pencils, or a notebook that everyone around you seems to have. Before the first lesson even begins, a child can feel different, unprepared, and left behind. At LAFCU, we believe every student deserves to start the school year feeling confident and supported. We know students are better positioned to learn when they have the supplies they need, and we also know the cost of those supplies can be a challenge for many families. That's why we bring the community together each year to collect donations and help give local students the best possible start to the school year. Q2: How can community members get involved, and what type of donations are you looking for? A: Getting involved in LAFCU’s Back-to-School Extravaganza is easy. We’re asking community members to donate new school supplies like backpacks, notebooks, paper, pencils, pens, folders, crayons and glue sticks, and travel-size hygiene products like toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner and lotion, as well as deodorant, sanitary pads, tissues and disinfecting wipes. Donations can be dropped off at two of our LAFCU branches now through Aug. 20: · West Lansing - 106 N Marketplace Blvd., Lansing · South Lansing - 1121 Keystone Ave., Lansing Q3: So what happens after you collect the donated items? A: After Aug. 20, we’ll package everything up in new backpacks and distribute the supplies to local K-12 students and families at our Back-to-School Extravaganza event Aug. 23. We're partnering with Two Men and a Truck and The Village Lansing again this year to help children start the school year prepared. Q4: What impact do these donations have on local students and families? A: Having the right school supplies helps ease the financial burden on families and teachers, too, while helping students walk into school ready to learn and succeed. They don’t have to worry about whether they have what they need in the classroom. Q5: Is there anything else you’d like our listeners to know about the Back-to-School Extravaganza? A: Every donation, whether it’s a backpack, pencils, or hygiene products, helps a local student start the school year feeling prepared and supported. When students are ready to learn, families and the entire community benefit. Community partnerships and donations make that possible. To see the complete donation list and learn more, visit LAFCU.com/backtoschool. Donations for the Back-to-School Extravaganza are being accepted through Aug. 20. ### » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

    Michigan Business Beat | Shelia Scott, LAFCU Accepting Donations -Annual Back-to-School Extravaganza

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The Home of Business in Michigan. Get on-demand access to audio programs, articles and resources presented by savvy business leaders and industry experts.