Skip to main content
Michigan Header Logo
LEO Labor and Economic Opportunity
Michigan Header Logo Michigan Header Logo
Labor and Economic Opportunity
  • Bureaus & Agencies
    Bureaus & Agencies collapsed link
  • Boards, Commissions & Councils
    Boards, Commissions & Councils collapsed link
  • LEO Initiatives
    LEO Initiatives collapsed link
  • About
    About collapsed link
  • News from LEO Agencies
Bureaus & Agencies
Go to Bureaus & Agencies
  • Bureau of Employment Relations
  • Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
  • Michigan Career & Technical Institute
  • Michigan Economic Development Corporation
  • Community & Worker Economic Transition Office
  • Michigan High-Speed Internet Office
  • Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  • Michigan Rehabilitation Services
  • Michigan State Housing Development Authority
  • Office of Global Michigan
  • Office of Mobility and Electrification
  • Office of Rural Prosperity
  • State Land Bank Authority
  • Unemployment Insurance Agency
  • Workers' Disability Compensation Agency
  • Workforce Development
Bureau of Employment Relations
Go to Bureau of Employment Relations

  • Michigan Employment Relations Commission
  • Wage and Hour
Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
Go to Bureau of Services for Blind Persons

Bureau of Services for Blind Persons

  • Broad Overview
  • BSBP Local Offices
  • BSBP Office Information
  • DeafBlind Services
  • Documents and Reports
  • Transition Programs
  • BSBP Advisory Commission
  • BSBP Resources
  • BSBP Training Center
  • BSBP Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Business Enterprise Program
  • Independent Living Services for Seniors
  • Pre-Employment Transition Services
  • Braille and Talking Book Library
Michigan Career & Technical Institute
Go to Michigan Career & Technical Institute

Michigan Career & Technical Institute

  • MCTI Locations
  • Business
  • Student Resources
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Go to Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Community & Worker Economic Transition Office
Go to Community & Worker Economic Transition Office

Michigan High-Speed Internet Office
Go to Michigan High-Speed Internet Office

Michigan High-Speed Internet Office

  • Michigan Digital Equity and Inclusion
  • MI Connected Future
  • Funding Opportunities
  • Contact Us
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Go to Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration

  • MIOSHA MTI Survey Page
  • About MIOSHA
  • Consultation Education and Training
  • Online Penalty Payment
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Reporting Fatalities and Injuries
  • Safety and Health Programs
  • Standards
  • Employer Assistance
  • Enforcement and Appeals
  • Topics
  • Resources
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
Go to Michigan Rehabilitation Services

Michigan Rehabilitation Services

  • MRS for Individuals
  • MRS for Students
  • MRS for Businesses
  • Calendar
  • Publications
  • Legislative Reports
  • Disability Resources
  • STEMM-Up
Michigan State Housing Development Authority
Go to Michigan State Housing Development Authority

Office of Global Michigan
Go to Office of Global Michigan

Office of Mobility and Electrification
Go to Office of Mobility and Electrification

Office of Rural Prosperity
Go to Office of Rural Prosperity

  • Events
  • Rural Readiness Program
  • Roadmap to Rural Prosperity
  • Rural Readiness Grant Program
State Land Bank Authority
Go to State Land Bank Authority

State Land Bank Authority

  • About Us
  • Partner Land Banks
  • Requests for Proposals and Qualifications
  • Reports and FAQ's
Unemployment Insurance Agency
Go to Unemployment Insurance Agency

Unemployment Insurance Agency

  • UIA Resources for Workers
  • UI Dashboard
  • UIA Resources for Employers
  • Tools & Resources
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Contact UIA
Workers' Disability Compensation Agency
Go to Workers' Disability Compensation Agency

Workers' Disability Compensation Agency

  • EDI
  • Employees' Information
  • Employers
  • Forms
  • Funds Administration
  • Health Care Services
  • Hearings and Appeals
  • Insurance Requirements
  • Resources and Reports
  • Self-Insurance
  • Vocational Rehabilitation
Workforce Development
Go to Workforce Development

Workforce Development

  • About Us
  • Funding Opportunities
  • Michigan Works!
  • Programs and Services
  • Registered Apprenticeships
  • Industry and Business
  • Workforce Professionals
  • Data and Public Notices
  • Agricultural & Foreign Labor Services
  • Education and Training
  • Veterans' Employment Services
  • Post Secondary Schools
Boards, Commissions & Councils
Go to Boards, Commissions & Councils
  • Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services
  • Michigan Employment Relations Commission
  • Black Leadership Advisory Council
  • Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs
  • Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan
  • Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission
  • Michigan Community Service Commission
  • Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification
  • Michigan Women's Commission
  • Michigan Workforce Development Board
  • MiSTEM Advisory Council and MiSTEM Network
  • Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission
  • Workers' Disability Compensation Appeals Commission
Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services
Go to Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services

  • MCRS Events
Michigan Employment Relations Commission
Go to Michigan Employment Relations Commission

Black Leadership Advisory Council
Go to Black Leadership Advisory Council

Black Leadership Advisory Council

Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs
Go to Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs

Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan
Go to Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan

Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission
Go to Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission

Michigan Community Service Commission
Go to Michigan Community Service Commission

Michigan Community Service Commission

  • About MCSC
  • Volunteer!
  • Michigan's AmeriCorps
  • Governor's Service Awards
  • Mentor Michigan
  • News, Funding & Resources
  • Afghan Arrivals
  • Youth Initiatives
Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification
Go to Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification

Michigan Women's Commission
Go to Michigan Women's Commission

Michigan Workforce Development Board
Go to Michigan Workforce Development Board

Executive Order 2020-107 established Michigan Workforce Development Board

MiSTEM Advisory Council and MiSTEM Network
Go to MiSTEM Advisory Council and MiSTEM Network

MiSTEM convenes a statewide network of leaders in education, business and local communities to empower the next generation of innovators.

  • About
  • Why STEM?
  • Our Work
  • Regional Networks
  • Get Involved
  • MiSTEM News
  • Advisory Council
  • STEM Toolbox
Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission
Go to Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission

Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission

  • Financial Hardship Waiver (Section 62(a)(ii)) En Banc Decision (Owczarski dissenting) Issued on January 31, 2024
  • Info for MOAHR
  • Digest
  • Circuit Court Decisions
Workers' Disability Compensation Appeals Commission
Go to Workers' Disability Compensation Appeals Commission

formerly MI Compensation Appellate Commission

  • Current Statistics
  • FAQ
  • Policies
  • Resources
LEO Initiatives
Go to LEO Initiatives
  • All-Access Michigan
  • Build Michigan's Infrastructure Workforce Program
  • COVID-19 Workplace Safety
  • Mental Health in the Workplace
  • MI Funding Hub
  • Resources for Businesses
  • MI Small Business
  • Michigan Poverty Task Force
  • Skills to Work
  • Youth Employment
  • Workplace Rights
All-Access Michigan
Go to All-Access Michigan

Build Michigan's Infrastructure Workforce Program
Go to Build Michigan's Infrastructure Workforce Program

COVID-19 Workplace Safety
Go to COVID-19 Workplace Safety

Mental Health in the Workplace
Go to Mental Health in the Workplace

  • Affecting the Workplace
  • In the Workplace
  • Individualized Behavior
  • Understanding the Impact
MI Funding Hub
Go to MI Funding Hub

Resources for Businesses
Go to Resources for Businesses

MI Small Business
Go to MI Small Business

Michigan Poverty Task Force
Go to Michigan Poverty Task Force

  • Opportunities for MI Nonprofits
Skills to Work
Go to Skills to Work

Youth Employment
Go to Youth Employment

Workplace Rights
Go to Workplace Rights

About
Go to About
  • Contact LEO
  • LEO Careers
  • Executive Leadership
  • Legislative Reports
Contact LEO
Go to Contact LEO

Contact for LEO divisions

LEO Careers
Go to LEO Careers

Executive Leadership
Go to Executive Leadership

Executive Leadership

  • Susan Corbin
  • Jonathan Smith
  • Stephanie Beckhorn
  • Sean Egan
  • Kim Trent
  • Jason Palmer
  • Quentin Messer
  • Amy Hovey
Legislative Reports
Go to Legislative Reports

Legislative Reports

News from LEO Agencies
Go to News from LEO Agencies
  • Bureaus & Agencies
  • Boards, Commissions & Councils
  • LEO Initiatives
  • About
  • News from LEO Agencies
Back Bureaus & Agencies
  • Bureau of Employment Relations
  • Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
  • Michigan Career & Technical Institute
  • Michigan Economic Development Corporation
  • Community & Worker Economic Transition Office
  • Michigan High-Speed Internet Office
  • Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  • Michigan Rehabilitation Services
  • Michigan State Housing Development Authority
  • Office of Global Michigan
  • Office of Mobility and Electrification
  • Office of Rural Prosperity
  • State Land Bank Authority
  • Unemployment Insurance Agency
  • Workers' Disability Compensation Agency
  • Workforce Development
Back Bureau of Employment Relations
  • Michigan Employment Relations Commission
  • Wage and Hour
Back Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
  • Broad Overview
  • BSBP Local Offices
  • BSBP Office Information
  • DeafBlind Services
  • Documents and Reports
  • Transition Programs
  • BSBP Advisory Commission
  • BSBP Resources
  • BSBP Training Center
  • BSBP Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Business Enterprise Program
  • Independent Living Services for Seniors
  • Pre-Employment Transition Services
  • Braille and Talking Book Library
Back Michigan Career & Technical Institute
  • MCTI Locations
  • Business
  • Student Resources
Back Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Back Community & Worker Economic Transition Office
Back Michigan High-Speed Internet Office
  • Michigan Digital Equity and Inclusion
  • MI Connected Future
  • Funding Opportunities
  • Contact Us
Back Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  • MIOSHA MTI Survey Page
  • About MIOSHA
  • Consultation Education and Training
  • Online Penalty Payment
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Reporting Fatalities and Injuries
  • Safety and Health Programs
  • Standards
  • Employer Assistance
  • Enforcement and Appeals
  • Topics
  • Resources
Back Michigan Rehabilitation Services
  • MRS for Individuals
  • MRS for Students
  • MRS for Businesses
  • Calendar
  • Publications
  • Legislative Reports
  • Disability Resources
  • STEMM-Up
Back Michigan State Housing Development Authority
Back Office of Global Michigan
Back Office of Mobility and Electrification
Back Office of Rural Prosperity
  • Events
  • Rural Readiness Program
  • Roadmap to Rural Prosperity
  • Rural Readiness Grant Program
Back State Land Bank Authority
  • About Us
  • Partner Land Banks
  • Requests for Proposals and Qualifications
  • Reports and FAQ's
Back Unemployment Insurance Agency
  • UIA Resources for Workers
  • UI Dashboard
  • UIA Resources for Employers
  • Tools & Resources
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Contact UIA
Back Workers' Disability Compensation Agency
  • EDI
  • Employees' Information
  • Employers
  • Forms
  • Funds Administration
  • Health Care Services
  • Hearings and Appeals
  • Insurance Requirements
  • Resources and Reports
  • Self-Insurance
  • Vocational Rehabilitation
Back Workforce Development
  • About Us
  • Funding Opportunities
  • Michigan Works!
  • Programs and Services
  • Registered Apprenticeships
  • Industry and Business
  • Workforce Professionals
  • Data and Public Notices
  • Agricultural & Foreign Labor Services
  • Education and Training
  • Veterans' Employment Services
  • Post Secondary Schools
Back Boards, Commissions & Councils
  • Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services
  • Michigan Employment Relations Commission
  • Black Leadership Advisory Council
  • Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs
  • Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan
  • Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission
  • Michigan Community Service Commission
  • Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification
  • Michigan Women's Commission
  • Michigan Workforce Development Board
  • MiSTEM Advisory Council and MiSTEM Network
  • Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission
  • Workers' Disability Compensation Appeals Commission
Back Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services
  • MCRS Events
Back Michigan Employment Relations Commission
Back Black Leadership Advisory Council
Back Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs
Back Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan
Back Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission
Back Michigan Community Service Commission
  • About MCSC
  • Volunteer!
  • Michigan's AmeriCorps
  • Governor's Service Awards
  • Mentor Michigan
  • News, Funding & Resources
  • Afghan Arrivals
  • Youth Initiatives
Back Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification
Back Michigan Women's Commission
Back Michigan Workforce Development Board
Back MiSTEM Advisory Council and MiSTEM Network
  • About
  • Why STEM?
  • Our Work
  • Regional Networks
  • Get Involved
  • MiSTEM News
  • Advisory Council
  • STEM Toolbox
Back Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission
  • Financial Hardship Waiver (Section 62(a)(ii)) En Banc Decision (Owczarski dissenting) Issued on January 31, 2024
  • Info for MOAHR
  • Digest
  • Circuit Court Decisions
Back Workers' Disability Compensation Appeals Commission
  • Current Statistics
  • FAQ
  • Policies
  • Resources
Back LEO Initiatives
  • All-Access Michigan
  • Build Michigan's Infrastructure Workforce Program
  • COVID-19 Workplace Safety
  • Mental Health in the Workplace
  • MI Funding Hub
  • Resources for Businesses
  • MI Small Business
  • Michigan Poverty Task Force
  • Skills to Work
  • Youth Employment
  • Workplace Rights
Back All-Access Michigan
Back Build Michigan's Infrastructure Workforce Program
Back COVID-19 Workplace Safety
Back Mental Health in the Workplace
  • Affecting the Workplace
  • In the Workplace
  • Individualized Behavior
  • Understanding the Impact
Back MI Funding Hub
Back Resources for Businesses
Back MI Small Business
Back Michigan Poverty Task Force
  • Opportunities for MI Nonprofits
Back Skills to Work
Back Youth Employment
Back Workplace Rights
Back About
  • Contact LEO
  • LEO Careers
  • Executive Leadership
  • Legislative Reports
Back Contact LEO
Back LEO Careers
Back Executive Leadership
  • Susan Corbin
  • Jonathan Smith
  • Stephanie Beckhorn
  • Sean Egan
  • Kim Trent
  • Jason Palmer
  • Quentin Messer
  • Amy Hovey
Back Legislative Reports
Back News from LEO Agencies
        
/leo/boards-comms-councils/mcsc/mentor/news/mentor-michigan-fireside-chats
Back to Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity

outline of the shape of Michigan state in teal color


Search is currently unavailable. Please try again later.

Popular on michigan.gov

  • Agriculture and Rural Development
  • Civil Rights
  • Environment
  • Health and Human Services
  • Natural Resources
  • Secretary of State

How Do I...

  • Register to Vote
  • Renew My License Plate
  • View assistance programs
Unsupported Browser Detected

The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer. 

Supported Browsers
  • Google Chrome
  • Safari
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
Mentor Michigan Fireside Chats

Mentor Michigan Fireside Chats

  1. Boards, Commissions & Councils
  2. Michigan Community Service Commission
  3. Mentor Michigan
  4. News and Information
  5. Mentor Michigan Fireside Chats

The Mentor Michigan Fireside Chats five-part series featured a range of accomplished professionals from the art, business, education, financial and non-profit sectors. Presenters shared their best practices, experiences, successes, and challenges with the intent of supporting organizations operating in or close to Michigan's mentoring space.

The conversations fostered a discussion about each presenter's lived experience and how they got where they are today by managing challenges that ultimately led to their impact being enhanced and improved through the years. View the full playlist here or click the individual links below: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWnZHsbSrtT-dK9O_9tykyRSvf4PwRv62 

Featured professionals included: 

La Shaun Phoenix Moore is a Detroit-based vocalist, spoken word artist, activist, culture creator and wife. Moore’s interdisciplinary work is infused with her love for the city of Detroit, hip-hop, God, social justice and her black momma. She is currently working on her first memoir exploring the complexities of the Mother Wound and how it is rooted in her immediate family. Moore is the coach of the Youth Performance Troupe for InsideOut Literary Arts. She is the recipient of the 2020 and 2021 Creators of Culture Award by CultureSource.

https://youtu.be/QNXp2zRxwJs 

Malik Kenyatta Yakini is co-founder and Executive Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN). DBCFSN operates the seven-acre D-Town Farm and is spearheading the opening of, the Detroit Food Commons, in Detroit’s North End that will house the Detroit People’s Food Co-op. He serves as a board member of the co-op. Yakini views the work of DBCFSN as part of the larger movement for building power, self-determination, and justice. He is adamantly opposed to the systems of white supremacy, capitalism and patriarchy. He has an intense interest in contributing to the development of an international food sovereignty movement that embraces Black communities in the Americas, the Caribbean and Africa. He is a co-founder of the National Black Food and Justice Alliance.

https://youtu.be/k6FMn-z1III 

Dwan Dandridge is a husband, father, and Co-Founder and CEO of Black Leaders Detroit (BLD). As a lifelong Detroiter, his leadership skills have been shaped by a wide range of experiences, including grassroots activism, running a small business, and serving as a union rep with the UAW. He is the former VP of Life Remodeled. Dwan is passionate about creating blueprints to share power. He has a unique ability to define and quantify the value of people that come to the table with nontraditional skills. Dwan views the disparities in the access to capital from many angles, and is focused on creating equitable solutions. Since launching in 2019, he has led BLD in providing financial support to over 150 Black-owned businesses and nonprofits, totaling over $500,000.

https://youtu.be/uX-B76PTf1o

Brandi Haggins is a lifetime Detroiter who received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2007. She’s always had a passion for helping others and serving in communities in which she can identify with. She spent 10 years in dental management working in Detroit neighborhood offices helping to provide quality dental care to those who would possibly otherwise be underserved. She then went on to serve 5 years as a manager for a nonprofit organization that serviced homeless veterans providing transitional housing and recovery services. In early 2018 she was introduced to the Durfee Innovation Society & immediately knew that she had to be a part of a mission that served with such great purpose. Now serving as the Director of the Durfee Innovation Society, Brandi holds the ultimate responsibility of running the DIS and assuring smooth day to day operations of the 176,000 SF former school building. Brandi has played a significant role in creating the amazing opportunity hub that now has nearly 40 fantastic organizations with a mission to serve Detroit Children and Families. 

https://youtu.be/gDHMqUm_IcE

Kuhu Saha has been a part of the Merit Team since its inception, involved in all aspects of the company's development and growth. The part of the job that is most personally meaningful is her role furthering the organization’s community impact through Merit's nonprofit arm, Give Merit. As Founder/Executive Director, Kuhu, and co-founder, David Merritt, have developed the FATE Program, an educational enrichment program for Detroit-area high school students. Working closely with community partners, donors, and families, Kuhu leads the effort in creating and implementing high quality, innovative, and interactive youth development programming for young people ages 14-24. Before coming to Merit full-time, Kuhu spent four years at the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and worked with high-school youth on civic engagement and philanthropy projects as part of Americorps VISTA. She holds a BA from the University of Michigan in American Culture and Sociology, with a focus on social inequality. 

https://youtu.be/gDHMqUm_IcE

Kirk Mayes is the CEO of Forgotten Harvest, one of Michigan’s top nonprofit organizations and one of the nation’s premiere food rescue organizations. Each year Forgotten Harvest collaborates with more than 800 food donors to rescue more than 50 million pounds of nutritious food and distribute it through its partner agencies in metro Detroit. Through Kirk’s leadership, Forgotten Harvest was able to develop a new strategic plan and bring focus to Forgotten Harvest around the idea of providing the right food to the right place in the right quantity at the right time. Vital to achieving these goals, the organization is currently preparing to open a new Forgotten Harvest Campus that will be the cornerstone of its bold transformation.

https://youtu.be/CBpNjFb1cCs

Caryn Reed-Hendon, Ph.D. is the Founding Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Lawrence Technological University. She has twenty years of higher education experience specifically in the area of Student Affairs with a focus on mentorship, pipeline programs and JEDI professional development. She has served in leadership for a number of professional and educational committees and has worked collaboratively to present materials at regional, national, and international conferences. Dr. Reed-Hendon’s memberships include: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., National Association of Minority Medical Educators, National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, Queens Collective, International Leaderships Association, King Chavez Parks Future Faculty Fellows, and NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education.

https://youtu.be/CBpNjFb1cCs

Follow us

Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
Mentor Michigan Fireside Chats
Copyright State of Michigan
Copyright 2025 State of Michigan Mi.gov Home Policies Accessibility Disability Resources Statewide FOIA Directory Departments
Tracking Image