Detroit Economic Growth Corporation [DEGC] recently announced today that they hired Kai Bowman as vice president of Detroit Mean Business, [DMB] which was effective December 8. DMB, a subsidiary of the Detroit Economic Growth Association (DEGA) and was developed to help local small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis, according to a press release. Bowman will offer strategic leadership to DMB, where he will oversee the development of DMB programming and small business support throughout the city.
“Kai brings a wealth of leadership experience to the helm of DMB at a critical time for Detroit’s small businesses,” said Conrad Mallett, DEGA Board chair and deputy mayor, in the press release. “He was a founding member of DMB, and now has the responsibility to create a framework that will empower DMB to elevate Detroit’s small business ecosystem.”
DMB was initially formed as a multi-partner coalition to offer much-needed assistance to Detroit’s small business owners during COVID-19 after Mayor Mike Duggan’s announcement in May. Under Bowman’s leadership, DMB will expand its reach to address issues like access to capital, legislation, inclusion, and training – that can limit growth for Detroit’s entrepreneurs. He will report to Kevin Johnson, DEGA president, according to the press release.
“Small businesses are the heart of Detroit’s economy, providing essential products and services to residents, jobs, and neighborhood stabilization,” said Johnson in the release. “In just a short time, we have seen the positive impact DMB has had on the small business community. I expect Kai will continue to provide the resources needed to help businesses operate during the pandemic, and work to eliminate the barriers to success that small business owners in Detroit are often faced with.”
Bowman joins DMB from the Mayor’s Office where he served as executive director for Planning, Housing, and Development, according to the release. In his role there, he co-chaired the Mayor’s Equity Council to allow longtime residents and small businesses to gain the benefits of the city’s growth. Before joining the mayor’s staff, Bowman worked at Whirlpool Corporation, Bank of America, Wachovia Corporation, and Teach for America. He also served in the United Service Organization, where he supported U.S. troops during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, according to the release.
“I am honored, thrilled, and humbled by the opportunity to help create a positive environment for Detroit’s small business owners on such a large scale,” said Bowman in the release. “I look forward to joining the incredible team under Kevin Johnson, which is committed to inclusive small business development and the economic well-being of our communities.”
Bowman has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in 2002; a Master of Science in Finance and Development from New York University in 2006; and a Master of Business Administration in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business 2014. He is on the board of the Detroit Transportation Corporation and the Eastern Market Partnership.
Bowman was selected as the result of a nationwide executive search, spearheaded by DMB Chair Carla Walker-Miller, per the release.
“Kai’s experience and impressive record of organizational leadership convinced us that he is the right person to lead DMB as the program’s first official leader,” said Walker-Miller, Founder and CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services.
For more information on DEGA go to https://www.degc.org and for more information on DMB go to https://detroitmeansbusiness.org.
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