As Real Times Media prepares to unveil the seventh edition of “Who’s Who in Black Detroit” on Friday, Oct. 18, DTE Energy is excited to serve as the first corporate sponsor to ever host a launch reception for the media company’s annual publication. The event will be held at DTE’s downtown Detroit headquarters, located at One Energy Square.
In addition to saluting the achievements of African-Americans across the many broad sectors of Detroit, the seventh edition will feature a special tribute to African-Americans in the region who are excelling in the arts and education.
“We are pleased and honored to open up our headquarters and facilities to host this wonderful event,” said Joyce Hayes Giles, assistant to the chairman and senior vice president of public affairs for DTE Energy. “Over the years, ‘Who’s Who in Black Detroit’ has had the great opportunity to highlight and spotlight the many achievements and accomplishments of African-Americans in our community, some of whom are unsung heroes. I don’t know of another publication that highlights so many African-Americans and recognized them for the good they are doing.”
Giles continued. “What I love is that ‘Who’s Who in Black Detroit’ publications are used in local schools to give students, especially African-American students, the opportunity to see and read about careers, opportunities and African-Americans who can become role models. The book is such a great tool.”
Giles knows a lot about role models. For more than three decades, she has served DTE Energy and the citizens of Detroit with honor and integrity. In addition to her current role as assistant to the chairman and senior vice president of public affairs for DTE, Giles chairs the DTE Energy Foundation and serves as the company’s chief ethics officer and ombudsman for employee-related issues. Giles, who has a law degree from Wayne State University Law School, joined the company in a managerial capacity in 1978, when it was known as MichCon.
Real Times Media/”Who’s Who in Black Detroit’s” executive team is energized by DTE Energy’s involvement.
“I would like to thank DTE Energy and Joyce Hayes Giles for believing in our mission and serving as our first corporate host,” said Cathy Nedd, associate publisher of the seventh edition of “Who’s Who in Black Detroit” and CEO of the Michigan Chronicle. “Over the years Joyce has been a personal mentor to me and has carved time out of her extremely busy schedule to share her wealth of knowledge and wisdom.”
Hiram Jackson, CEO of Real Times Media, added. “I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank DTE Energy for agreeing to serve as corporate host for the unveiling of ‘Who’s Who in Black Detroit.’ Without companies such as DTE and other advertisers and sponsors, we would be unable to continually share such inspirational and empowering stories of so many African-American women and men.”
DTE is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide.
Real Time Media is a
Detroit-based company that owns and operates Who’s Who Publishing Company in Columbus, Ohio. Who’s Who Publishing Comapany, under the auspices of Real Times Media, prints and distributes publications that celebrate African-American achievements in more than 25 cities across the nation. The publications highlight successful Black people in business, education, entertainment/sports, the faith-based sectors, as well as civic and community contributors.
In addition, Real Times Media is the parent company responsible for publishing such historic Black newspapers as the Michigan Chronicle, Chicago Defender, New Pittsburg Courier, Atlanta Daily World, and the Tri-State Defender).
“The Michigan Chronicle has filled a significant and important niche in the African-American community,” said Giles. “There is tremendous value in what it brings to the community. The Michigan Chronicle has provided DTE Energy with a great opportunity to reach our customers and the African-American community regarding issues that impact them. It’s been an outstanding publication for many years and has always informed the community about the many kinds of programs that are available at DTE, as well as the other things that we are doing as a company.”