Big things are happening at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan (BGCSM). There is a big campaign to reimagine the club experience and that means being innovative in the opportunities provided to the families that use the club. Under the leadership of Shawn H. Wilson, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan there are an array of activities being offered that not only target the children but their parents and the family as a whole.
“The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan’s speaker series is designed to bring local and national thought leaders to the neighborhoods we serve across the region,” said Wilson. “We hope to add to the existing intellectual capital in these communities resulting in increased neighborhood economic mobility opportunities for residents.”
Wilson is committed to getting more families into the clubs and creating a hub of resources that seemed to be aimed at encouraging self-sufficiency in addition to self care. The BGCSM’s speaker series, which kicked off with Detroit rapper Big Sean at the Dick & Sandy Dauch Campus on16500 Tireman Avenue that particular forum focused on mental health and the importance of self-care. That was a big deal. It’s not every day that you have a superstar in the neighborhood talking about mental health. That got everyone’s attention and people began to notice that this isn’t the Boys & Girls Club from back in the day.
The BGCSM “makeover” started with Dick & Sandy Dauch Campus (Dauch club), a 30,000-square-foot club that boasts a music and video production studio funded by rapper Big Sean’s Sean Anderson Foundation. Plans include a barber shop/salon, a test kitchen, laundromat for community use and an innovation lab where young people can learn everything from coding to 3D printing. There is also an area for pop up shops where kids can sell their creations thereby teaching business related skills like marketing and sales while also encouraging entrepreneurship.
So when it was announced that Brandon Andrews,from ABC’s Shark Tank (the show where self-made business entrepreneurs invest in the best businesses and products America has to offer) would be holding a casting call at the Dauch Campus it was perfectly in line with Wilson’s vision.
“I always love holding casting calls in Detroit. The groups of entrepreneurs at our Detroit events are among the most diverse in the country,” said Andrews,Senior Consultant at Values Partnershipswho is responsible forbringing more diverse ideas and voices to Shark Tank.“Entrepreneurs in Detroit have a certain grit that is necessary to build something from the ground up. Also, the community in Detroit is special. I often say that the best resource for entrepreneurs at our casting calls is the other entrepreneurs in the room. Detroiters desire to partner with and help each other speaks volumes about the ecosystem. I always leave energized by their passion and excited to see the community continue to grow”
Hosting Shark Tank’s casting call at the Dauch Campus is bringing opportunity to the neighborhood. The Emmy-award winning series is looking for entrepreneurs who are interested in appearing on ABC’s hit show. All innovators, creators, businesspersons, and entrepreneurs were given the chance to pitch their idea and have their dream come true.
“Usually when you have a major network television show coming to do casting calls they usually do it downtown or somewhere farther out,” said Wilson. “It’s rare that this type of opportunity would be within walking distance of someone’s house.”
Entrepreneurs were very receptive to the location, which gave people a chance to step inside the Dauch campus and see the new facility for themselves.
“I think it’s awesome that Shark Tank is here at the Boys & Girls Club,” said Sharen Eddings of Code With Sharen. “It’s completely accessible and just seeing this in our community brings hope and shines a light on entrepreneurs in the city.”
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