October 4, 2024 • 36 mins
Brandi discusses all the unique cultural and business community features that make Southwest Detroit so special as well as the services the Southwest Detroit Business Association provides to serve and support the community.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Light Up the D'll focus on what's happening
in our community from the people who make it happen.
Here's your host, iHeartMedia Detroit Market President Colleen Grant.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Good morning, and welcome to another episode of Light Up
the D. My name is Colleen Grant, and I'm your
host today. I am happily joined by Brandy Watts. Brandy
is the vice president of Programs and Clients at the
Southwest Detroit Business Association, a nonprofit organization that was formed
in nineteen fifty seven as a coalition of businesses and
(00:33):
community interests dedicated to fostering a stable and economically healthy
Southwest Detroit. So she's out there helping people in the community.
I love it, and we're going to talk a lot
about that today. In her role, Brandy oversees strategic and
operational efficiency, ensuring compliance across the organization's many program areas,
discussing the Southwest Detroit Business Association. Welcome, Brandy Watts, thanks
(00:56):
for joining us today.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
So let's just get down to the really nuts bolth
of that. What is the Southwest Detroit Business Association. You've
been around for I'd said nineteen fifty seven, which is
an extraordinarily long time to be helping the community. Tell
us about your organization and the community that you serve.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Yes, yes, thank you again for having me.
Speaker 4 (01:15):
The Southwest Detrode Business Association, as we affectionately know is SDBA,
has indeed been a driving force for economic growth and
opportunity in Southwest Detroite for nearly seventy years. As you said,
our organization was founded with a deep commitment to the community.
Our mission is to foster a thriving economic environment that
not only supports the local businesses, but also enhances the
(01:37):
overall quality of the residents there in Southwest Detroit.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Southwest Detroit, if.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
You haven't been, it's a vibrant and diverse community known
for its rich cultural heritage. You know, especially within the
Hispanic community. Diversity is the cornerstone of our neighborhood's identity
and a significant source of our strength. The businesses there
reflect you know, this cultural we like to call it
(02:03):
tapestry that's been woven, and there's legacy businesses that have
been there in the community for years and years, passed
down from generation to generation, family owned restaurants, shops, industrial
enterprises as well and a lot of new embudding entrepreneurs
as well food trucks. I mean, you can come down
and just about see a lot of the scene in
(02:23):
Southwest Detroit and just get a rich cultural vibe from
what's going on down in Southwest Detroit.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
They're at STBA.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
You know.
Speaker 4 (02:30):
Again, we work tirely to support those businesses, whether it's
through advocacy or providing technical assistance, facilitating access to resources,
all to help those businesses grow and thrive. We also
focus on attracting new investment to the area as well,
you know, fostering relationships that can lead to job creation
for the residents in the community and create opportunities for
(02:52):
the residents themselves to prosper right there in.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Their own community.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
We like to almost invigorate a local walk of thriving economy.
In addition to our many economic development efforts, we are
deeply invested in just equity across the board and dismantling
as many barriers as we can. We believe that by
supporting the businesses and the investment climate, we can create
(03:17):
that whole inclusive that benefits all. Our work is also
just about preserving that unique character that I talked about.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
And it is great, super diverse and super unique, very special.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Yes, thank you at s Toba.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
You know, we're just there to ensure that it remains
a place where businesses can succeed, families can thrive in
the rich cultural heritage that makes our community so special,
continues to be just that.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Yeah, it's interesting. I was making a graphic for her
moving down to the Eastern Market, as I mentioned you guys,
and I was making a graphic that's going to go
on the wall while I wasn't making it. I'm certainly
no artist, let's be honest. I was working on a graphic.
He was creating it for me, who is the actual
talented one. But it identifies all the different areas in
(04:07):
across the city of Detroit, and you really nailed it
on the head. Is one of the things that I
was really excited about what you said was preserving the
identity because you're the area that you serve is very unique,
and we want areas that people go into and that
they get a different feeling and that they find different
kinds of shops and you know, support local businesses that
(04:29):
offer different kinds of products to people and that they're
giving jobs to all sorts of different kinds of people, like,
it's very special the community that you serve.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
Yeah, you know, you mentioned that, and it makes me
think of a lot of the initiatives we started, especially
with the influx of the NFL draft that came and
then the Michigan Central Grand Station opening, we started a
whole campaign cloud Experience Southwest Detroit, and it is just
that we want you to come, taste, feel, look and
see everything that Southwest de Traite is, which is more
(04:59):
than just tequila. There's so much much more going on
in those corridors, and we want to make sure that
everyone experiences.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
That give us a little bit of a taste of
that that campaign Experience Detroit.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Right experienced Southwestern or Southwest Detroit.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
Yeah, like what did we see and what did we
for somebody who hadn't seen it, what might they have
seen and heard that gives them the idea that it's
more than just tequila and tacos, which is like just
the most basic of all things, actually the most basic
ball things that, let's be honest, are really really important.
But what else might they have seen?
Speaker 4 (05:32):
So we really wanted to make sure that we capitalize
that opportunity for all of that foot traffic that was
coming into the downtown area, as well as again surrounding
Michigan Central's Grain opening. We wanted to make sure that
people knew just a couple of blocks away that you
can walk, you can shop, you can eat, you can
see beautiful murals, you can see some of the architecture
(05:53):
that has happened as a result of development. We have
a beautiful pedestrian bridge that connects the two riders of
Bagley Street.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
There's just so much to do Clark Park.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
There's so many establishments within Southwest Detroit where folks can come.
You can walk, you can get a bike, you can
get on one of those electric scooters or whatever you
want to do to just go through. We've created a
lot of little road maps or story maps that will
link you from different spots throughout Southwest de traits. So
if you're you can pull up a mural map that
(06:26):
we have on our website, and if you're at one
mural and you want to, oh, where's the next one?
How do I get to it? It will tell you
the distance to the next mural, give you a brief
intro of what that mural is and who the artist is,
and then guide you from there. How many do you
want to see because there's tons, right. We did the
same with our restaurants as well. We call a restaurant storymap,
so just giving you an idea of where you want.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
To go and why you should go there.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
So we just we try to make sure that people
can get connected just really quickly scan a QR cold
across town. There's different spots to be able to do that.
We have a couple of interactive kiosks that are down
there that kind of give you a little bit of
of of rootiness to where the next next attraction is
going to be.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
But there's just so much to see.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
We have musical historical markers for Tehano music down in
our mercado in the marketplace.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
There's just so much to see.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Yeah, you really nailed it right there too. It's not
just about the businesses and the food and the art,
but the music.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
Yeah, very key, very key, And there's so many varieties, right.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (07:32):
Most people think of the Mexican and the Hispanic community,
but there are I can't even count and tell you
how many countries of origin that have have melted into
Southwest Detroit that represent the LATINX community.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
So there are different. You know, a very vast verse
community in Southwest Detroit.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
A lot will get sounds and food and music and
experience from all all genres of culture.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Yeah, so vibrant. I mean, makes sure you want to
get down to southwester Destroit right away. And if somebody
just will stop down here real quick for a story map,
where would they go to find story?
Speaker 4 (08:09):
The storylaps right to our website southwest Detroit dot com.
You can click on the events tab and see some
of the events that we have locally. You can do
the drop down from our community tab and see those
storymaps and different cultural significances that are going on in
the community.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
It's great, thank you for sharing that. So when we
talk about the sdba's programs initiatives, who are the key stakeholders?
Keep people involved in making sure that you're advancing what
your goals are for the community.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Yeah. Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
The STBA operates through collabative efforts of a diverse group
of key stakeholders within our organization. First and foremost, our
leadership is instrumental obviously in guiding our organization. And I'm
proud to share that for the first time a sdba's
nearly seventy year history. We have a Latina leading our organization.
This is a significant milestone, you know, not just for
(09:03):
our organization, but for the community we serve. You know,
her leadership brings a deep understanding of the cultural and
economic dynamics of Southwest Detroit, and she's been a driving before,
driving force behind many of our recent initiatives. She's from
the community. She refers to herself as the daughter that
Southwest raised, so she's able to look at the community
and the needs from a different lens. Not to say
(09:24):
that we've been around for seven nearly seventy years, so
there has been success throughout the history of sdba's leadership,
but I think we're looking at things through a little
bit of a different lens this time around.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Yeah, different perspective, yeah for sure. Yeah, one that's really
ingrained in the communities in their life.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:40):
We make it a point to listen to the businesses
and know where their pain points are in the community
and the residents to find out what type of programming
we need to implement.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
But to have her at our.
Speaker 4 (09:49):
Helm and our leadership just really takes it to a
whole other level. She already gets it in addition to
our leadership, we're of course governed by a dedicated board
of directors that's comp of community leaders, business owners, and
industry experts as well, who provide strategic direction and oversight
our key Some of our other key stakeholders include local
(10:09):
businesses and entrepreneurs who are at the heart of our work.
They range from small again family owned shops to larger
industrial enterprises. They're the backbone of the Southwest de Traits economy.
We work closely with them day in and day out,
offering resources, advocacy and support. We also engage public and
private sector partners as well government agencies, educational institutions not
(10:33):
other nonprofits that have been key stakeholders in the community
for many, many years. Those partnerships allow us to be
able to leverage resources off of each other, expertise and
networks to amplify our overall impact and whether we're collaborating
on just programs public safety initiatives. We have a few
of those initiatives that are going on in Southwest Detroit
(10:56):
community beautification efforts. Our partnerships are critical to our success.
And lastly, the residents of Southwestern Trade. As I said,
we have to listen to the businesses, but we also
want to key in and make sure that the residents
have our ear as well. They are ultimately the beneficiaries
of everything that we do living there, and their voices
are very integral to shaping what we offer as far
(11:19):
as our programs go, and we just we engage with
them directly. We make it a very direct point to
engage with our residents directly and so that we're responsive
to their needs.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
It really all works together that way. So the STBA
offers I mean you've indicated a wide variety of programs
and resources, you know, impacting small businesses and all sorts
of other organizations, your neighbors, visitors to the area. But
there you have a program that I'd love for you
to talk about, the Small Business Advocacy Center. Can you
(11:52):
tell us about that program and how it's helping the community.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
Yeah, thank you for the opportunity to talk about the SVAC.
The Small Business Advocacy Center is very near and close
to our hearts because it's the direct and meaningful impact
that we have.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
On the small business community.
Speaker 4 (12:07):
Through the s VAC, we are able to dedicate those
direct assistance resources to both those aspiring aspiring business owners
and then the established legacy businesses in our area. Where
As I said, we're a vibrant community with a rich
cultural heritage and the local businesses reflect that diversity and
that dynamicsm that that's there, but navigating some of the complex,
(12:33):
you know, structures of starting the business or running the
business can be challenging. Just working sometimes just to get
things going different permitting knowing if you're ready to go
brick and mortar, or if you're ready to you know,
branch out your marketing plan or however you want to.
There's so many different ways that the SBAC comes in
(12:53):
and offers that professional space where entrepreneurs can access group sessions,
one on one consulting, bilingual assistance.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Which is huge.
Speaker 4 (13:03):
That's a huge barrier for us for the community to
be able to they know what they need, they just
don't know how to get it. And then when it's
time to communicate with the folks that to express those needs,
that's where a challenge can come in.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
So dismantling that barrier, we're there.
Speaker 4 (13:18):
To tailor our our services to their needs to.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
A lot of training and resources.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
Yes, a lot of training and resources. Recently last year
we implemented our Walking Wednesdays. We felt that format was needed.
We felt that a lot of our businesses, they're busy
all day, they don't necessarily have the the free with
all to create an appointment or say that I can
dedicate this time every single day. So we've we've created
(13:46):
this walk in Wednesday structure so that the more it
became repetitive, those business owners knew that, oh and Wednesdays,
I can go to that s DBI. So we wanted
something very regular and very consistent. We bring in strategic partners.
We have a S with Service Providers group. Again, some
of those key stakeholders we've talked about different organizations have
come together and welded their expertise together. So those Walking
(14:09):
Wednesdays allow us to float what the programming will be
for that day. So it could be technical assistance for
website development, it could be accounting eight Society is coming
in to help you with your books, to get you
from paper to you know, something a little bit more
business savvy. But it's just we're able to offer a
(14:29):
very diverse curriculum through our SBAC. But yes, it is
just what we've did, what we've designed there is just
for it to be a community hub space where the
businesses and budding entrepreneurs they can know they can come
for assistance.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
And help, yeah, at their convenience when they're you know,
when you're really busy, it is hard to figure out,
like why am I actually going to fit this in?
So I love walking Wednesdays. Yes, it's great. So one
of the programs that I know you have that I
really love and we'll get to why in a minute.
But it's just second Floor Residential Grant program because you
do something really special with the second floors above businesses,
(15:06):
which we've all seen it. You know, there's a business
below and then there's not much going on above and
you're solving that. And I love, I love what you're
doing with that. Let's talk about it.
Speaker 4 (15:15):
We're working hard to solve that and have worked hard
on that for quite some time now, for a few years,
and very important program. We're committed to not only you know,
fostering that economic development, but also the community to grow
and that's what we try to accomplish through the Second
Floor Residential Program. It's a collaboration between SEBA and the
(15:36):
City of Detroite through the Housing Revitalation Department or HRD.
The goal of that program, as you said, is to
address the issues of vacant underutilized spaces above commercial properties
in Southwestern trade. Those spaces often sit empty, present a
tremendous amount of opportunity to create much needed affordable housing
in the community. We convert, we work to convert those
(15:59):
second floor commercial spaces into apartment units.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
We're you know, in that space.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
We're not only revitalizing those buildings themselves, but we're also
contribute to the virancy of the neighborhood. Right We're keeping
up keeping up with the with making sure that that
space is utilizing and that is able to be utilized
and inhabited by those that need it. The program is
designed to make those conversions also very feasibly and economical
(16:25):
for the property owners. So we've set a targeted goal,
most recently with hrd in creating twenty four rental units.
So we do them in phases, and we've set a goal,
let's let's target this many. And through that initiative, you know,
we we've been able to offer a lot of eligible
construction improvements through those second floor apartments for many of
(16:46):
those big property owners. That funding for that program is
crucial because it helps reduce the financial birding on the
on the on the property owners, they're making it more
of attractive investment for them to invest in those conversions.
So it's a win win for everyone involved. The property
owners are able to enhance the value of their buildings,
and the community benefits from the addition of the affordable housing,
(17:10):
which is so instant essential for especially in the city
of Detroit.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
Love. It gets people in housing, and it does contribute
the beautification of the community because people take pride in
their area. And lord knows, if you're if a building
is sitting empty, it's becoming decrepit, you know, so putting
people in it who are going to take care of
it and you know, the errors flowing, and it's you know,
revitalizing the building at the top as well.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
So I yeah, it's not just about adding new housing units.
It's just what you say, revitalizing the community. It's preserving
the unique character of some of these buildings have been
are quite you know, they're they're old, they're old traditional
style buildings and they need they need the proper care
and work to restore them to that you know, historic
charm that they may have. So you know, we we
(17:54):
means that it means we're able to just maintain the
cultural and architectural integrity of the neighborhood, but also while
addressing the needs of the you know, for housing well.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
And you're doing even more of that with the Facade Matching,
Grant and Design Assistance Program. Yeah, now let's talk about that.
Speaker 4 (18:08):
So similar in the same vein right, we are all
about we we kind of lean towards more sustainability than beautification.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Yes, it's beautification, but.
Speaker 4 (18:18):
At the end of the day, we need to sustain
these buildings. We need to sustain our neighborhoods, and a
lot of times the assistance that we're able to provide
through these programming is the assistance that those businesses need
to sustain because they can otherwise or be hard or
you know, financially otherwise.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
So with the Facade.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Matching, Grant and Design Assistance Program, it's a transferformative initiative.
It's designed it's designed to incentivize again property and business
owner to make a static improvements you know, to their
buildings and storefronts, which in turn, again overall enhances the appeal,
safety and vibrancy of our of our shopping district of
(18:56):
our business district, so we provide small grants to business
and property owners to help them fund those improvements. They
cover architectural services and reimburse up to fifty percent of
the conversion costs for those businesses. It's again more than
just beautification. It's about fostering community investment and catalyzing private contributions.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
So we are just happy.
Speaker 4 (19:20):
That since the mid nineteen nineties we've completed more than
thirty five projects just resulting in total investment of over
millions of dollars. We have some profful examples we like
to in our conference room if if if you were
to visit our Southwestern Trade offices on Burness on Burner Highway,
we have some of our most recent projects where you
(19:42):
can see the before and after impact that we're able
to get for these business owners and it just really
really is so empowerful, powerful and impactful. Again, some of
it more beyond beautification. Some of these buildings have walls
that have been hit and the bricks are literally falling
over awnings that have not been or been in disrepair
for for many many years. Again just stoff things that
(20:06):
need to happen in our community to again sustain the
vitality and the strength of the community.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Yeah, it's hard to be a business owner in particular,
or a small business owner. You're trying to operate a
business and then you have all these repairs or all
these upgrades or all these things to keep your business
looking the way you want, and just getting that hand
from the the SDBA is probably makes all the difference.
Speaker 4 (20:26):
Yeah, those improvements, I mean, they're they're varied in there,
but they're impactful, all of them, ranging from signage to lighting,
to powwash and painting, new awnings, window displays, and even
just even more complete storefront, complete renovations. They make it
more attractive for the visitors, but also address practical issues cold.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Light violations, you know, things that cost money.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
Things that cost money.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
It costs could cost them to shutter their doors, right,
and so we don't want that to happen.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Right.
Speaker 4 (20:56):
We're always working proactively to make sure that we're standing
on the forefront of that. But that requires funding, and
so we're always looking for funding to be able to provide.
Speaker 3 (21:07):
These grants to those businesses.
Speaker 4 (21:10):
It's something that's always at the top of mind in
conversations that we're having strategically as we implement future programming.
Some of these programs that have been around since the
start of SDBA or nearly thereafter, and it's important that
we maintain them because the community has come to rely
on these on this funding.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
Right last year, the SDBA and its development partners broke
around on La Joya Gardens. So that was a twenty
four million dollar development for mixed use, mixed income, residential
and commercial building located on West fern Or Highway in
southwest Detroit. Tell us a little bit about that project.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
I mean, that's enormous, enormous and so excited to talk
about La Hoya Gardens. It's nearing the end of completion,
so we're even more excited. It's been a five more
than a five year project. There was, of course some
slowdowns and things with the pandemic, but we are so
close to the finish line and.
Speaker 3 (22:03):
It just feels so good.
Speaker 4 (22:05):
It's it's it's a very issue that are very significant
initiative that has been taken on by SDBA and our
development partners over the last.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
Recent five years.
Speaker 4 (22:16):
The twenty four million dollar mixed use, mixed income development
is on Verner Highway. It's in the heart of southwest Detroit,
and it represents a major step for in US enhancing
our efforts with the community. It's mixed use, as you said,
it's fifty three units and six thousand square feet of
commercial phase space.
Speaker 3 (22:35):
Other amenities in that building is going to.
Speaker 4 (22:36):
Cclude like an outdoor terance, fully equipped fitness center, central
community room, to public plazas, and a location that's really
close and adjacent to public transportation, which.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
Is really important in that building as well.
Speaker 4 (22:50):
One of the things that we were able to do,
which a lot of new developments will tout that it
is affordable right or it's affordable housing. We have a
thirty sixty and eighty percent AMI or an average meeting income.
Of our three residential units, forty two are affordable at
(23:10):
the thirty sixty and eighty percent AMI and then eleven
our market rate, So that speaks volume.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
A lot of.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
Times developments will just echine with the bare minimum needed.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
To qualify as affordable housing. We are truly, truly more.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
Than what is that more than almost almost eighty percent
of the units are listed at the affordable ranges that
I mentioned to you. The impact of Laoya Gardens in
the community will be significant. We're working to make sure
that affordable housing is there, ensuring long term residents can
continue to live in the neighborhood not be pushed out
(23:46):
even as the area develops. Right the commercial space will
also support local businesses and create some jobs and stimulate
the local economy as well.
Speaker 3 (23:56):
We will see also the establishment.
Speaker 4 (23:58):
Of this is a really cool part a retail pop
up incubator style space for entrepreneurs who don't quick quite
know if they're ready for brick and mortar, so it's
beyond a pop up. It gives them like that space
to test the waters for three to six months on
a very very low lease, that low lease and short
(24:19):
term lease so they can see do I have enough
inventory to make it, have I staffed appropriately? Is this
something that I can handle? Having that commercial storefront right
on Unburn or gives them the access to the exposure
to bring in that foot traffic and just to test
the waters of their business to see if they're ready
ready to make the plunge. So from there they decide
they do want to, then that's that's where SDBA can
(24:40):
come in again on the real estate advocacy because it's
something we also do and help them find that space
now that they know they can handle it and can
handle a longer term lease or a longer term commitment
and a higher rental unit, then we can help them
with that as well. We like to give those entrepreneurs
a space and the ability to succeed or or fail. Right,
(25:01):
and that fail means that maybe you just have to
wait a little longer, take a step back, or maybe
I'm not ready to make that plunge. But we're giving
them the ability to test that out.
Speaker 2 (25:09):
So we know, a twenty four million dollar development doesn't
just grow on a tree. Yes, right, so where does
where does the what community partners or investors are involved
in supporting the STBA and a submission to help the community.
Who's who's making this happen?
Speaker 4 (25:22):
Yes, so we brought together again a lot of public
and private resources. SDBA is forty nine percentnire Group is
the fifty one percent controlling partner in that, so we
are SNIOR is more of the residential handling the residential
aspect of the development. STBA is handling the commercial side
and the incubator space. As I mentioned to you, So
(25:44):
there will be some other retail established retail businesses that
will go in that space.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
As well as six thousand square feet.
Speaker 4 (25:50):
But the project leverage more than two point five million
from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development so
HUD one point six million from the City of Detroit
Strategic neighbor Hood Fund. Those critical investments reflect the confidence
that those agencies had in the future of Southwest Trade
and the importance of providing this quality affordable housing in
our community.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
When we talk about like youth programs, what do you
got going on? You know, we were talked about we
talked about the businesses, and we talked about some of
the programs that you have going on the developments. But
I know that you also have some youth programs that
you work on. Let's talk a little bit about that.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
I love to talk about it.
Speaker 4 (26:30):
Most people think of Southwest de Traite Business Association, and
that's what they hear, right, business association. You guys do
work with a lot of businesses.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
Well.
Speaker 4 (26:38):
At the heart of SDBA, we also have our little
special jewel that we call COMPAS, which stands for Center
of Music and Performing Arts Southwest. It's a shining example
of our commitment to the youth development and preserving the
cultural heritage of the community.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
It's a unique program.
Speaker 4 (26:56):
In that it provides art and training and cultural experiences
for for youth after school.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
Those are our.
Speaker 4 (27:03):
Future entrepreneurs and business owners that we're now supporting today
with our mini programming offerings that we have right now.
They're the ones that are coming up next, so we
have to have a place for them to grow in
thought and thrive.
Speaker 3 (27:15):
The program is.
Speaker 4 (27:16):
Rooted in the belief that the arts are a powerful
tool for personal growth, expression and community building. It's what
sets come part apart from other programs is its emphasis
also on the preservation of the cultural identity of Southwest
de Trade.
Speaker 3 (27:31):
So we are.
Speaker 4 (27:33):
Offering different programs in music, dance, art, visual arts so
that the students are able to express and able to
sorry sorry, so that they're able to you know, develop
their youth, their development and the arts which is crucial
(27:54):
to helping them build their confidence, their resilience and the
sense of identity. A part of what we we established
with Compas is our compos used ensemble band and they
are great. They have performed at different venues across the city.
Everywhere they go, they're acts to come back. They're really
a fantastic group. They will be a part of the
(28:14):
lot of the a part of the lot of initiatives
and the entertainment that we'll be having coming coming up
and some of our events that we have slated for
the rest of the year. Wonderful group. If if you
haven't had the opportunity here from the Compas Ensemble Band,
you're you're really going to be delighted.
Speaker 3 (28:30):
You're really going to be delighted.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
I love that you've incorporated music and performing arts into
what you guys do for the community, you know, because,
like you said, the heritage is part of the whole
beauty of the area that you represent.
Speaker 3 (28:42):
Yeah, it is.
Speaker 4 (28:43):
It's just a significant role again in us keeping the
rich cultural traditions of the community alive.
Speaker 3 (28:48):
You know.
Speaker 4 (28:49):
It allows us to bring the young folks into the
arts and ensuring that the stories, music and the dances
of our ancestors in the community continues to be passed down,
you know, generation to generation.
Speaker 3 (28:59):
So it strengthen the strengthens those cultural ties. And it's
just more.
Speaker 4 (29:05):
It's more than just a youth and arts program. It
is a vital part of the fabric of the community. Again,
like a lot of our other events, folks look forward
to being able to enroll their kids and compass. You know,
when when do we start our next session? How many
classes are you going to be offering? Are you doing
anything new this year? So it's a lot and we
(29:26):
certainly enjoy it. And again it too is funded completely
so that there is no cost to the family. But
that costs you know, that means that cost has to
come from somewhere. So we do a lot of engagement
and a lot of fundraising to make sure that we
can continue to offer that program at no cost to
those families.
Speaker 2 (29:47):
Well, speaking of fundraisers, we can't we can't wrap up
until you tell us a little bit about Running the Dead.
Speaker 4 (29:54):
Yes, again, as that's one of those other things that
we get the constant call when is Run of the Day? Right,
So Run of the Dead if you've never been on
a Saturday in November, which is the first Saturday in November,
November second to our Run of the Dead, you truly
truly wanna wanna you know, register today? We will host
(30:15):
that on November second. As I said, it's a five
k ten k marathon race, but there's so much more
we that we expand the event too. It's a thrilling
athletic race, but there's so much more. It is the
largest fundraiser for Compas, the youth group that we were
just talking to, the Center of Music and Performing Arts Southwest.
(30:36):
It's a celebration of culture, community, and remembrance. It's tied
to the Mexican holiday Dia dels Mortos, so the Day
of the Dead, which is a time when we honor
and remember our deceased loved ones.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
The races that's really one of my favorite holidays that
on the community celebrates. Yeah, you know, it's meaningful.
Speaker 4 (30:55):
It's meaningful, and a lot of people see like the
sugar skulls or they see, you know, some of the
decorative elements, but they don't quite really understand all that,
you know, the history and the significance behind them, and.
Speaker 2 (31:07):
Some ancestors really thinking about the people that came before
you and kind of paved the way for you.
Speaker 3 (31:11):
Yep, yep.
Speaker 4 (31:13):
So the race itself, it weaves itself through the streets
of Southwest Detroit. We start at Patton Park. If you're
doing the full ten k form of the race, you're
going to go through two different cemeteries.
Speaker 3 (31:25):
It's the top of the morning, so it's.
Speaker 4 (31:28):
You know, some people hear cemeteries and they.
Speaker 2 (31:31):
Got yeah, they're running way through cemeteries like hold on
your net.
Speaker 4 (31:37):
So it is five K. You will go through a
Woodmere cemetery. If you're doing the ten k, you will
also go through Holy Cross Cemetery and back around the
route back to Patent Park. One of the most special
aspects of the Run of the Dead is the way
and incorporates the traditions of the day of the debt.
Speaker 3 (31:55):
People wear a traditional.
Speaker 4 (31:56):
Face paint attire that reflect the colorful and meaningful customs
of the holiday. Along the race route or along the
race route and in ourselves. You'll find enough frenda, which
is an altar that you dedicate to your ancestors. You
put things on the altar that that ancestor enjoyed. Food
they like to eat, you know, music they like to hear,
(32:19):
whatever you feel special in remembrance of that ancestor, you
create that display we have. Speaking of story maps, I
mentioned that earlier. We do one for Afrinda's in the community.
Speaker 3 (32:31):
Those are the odds.
Speaker 4 (32:32):
So every business that sets up there a frienda, we
get a nice image of it and we make sure
that we share that with the community.
Speaker 3 (32:40):
So again, if you're at.
Speaker 4 (32:41):
One afrienda similar to the maps I talked about with
the murals and the restaurants. You can look up where's
that next Afrinda, So you can almost do a tour
through southwest Detroit and look at those murals around day
of the dad and they stay up for a good
amount of time. Most of the businesses do leave them
up a couple of weeks. But back to the run, Yeah,
it is, it is. There's performances again Compass the students
(33:04):
perform they're at the race. There's local bites, things to
eat from local vendors. We have booths, we have resource boosts,
and we keep it like health fair and engaged because
it's a run, so we want people to get some
health resources. But there's also other fun things and shopping
and things that we do as part of the Run.
Speaker 3 (33:22):
Of the Debt.
Speaker 4 (33:25):
And then all of the funds again I said, raised
for Run of the Debt benefit and support Compass in
the mission behind it. So that means that if you're
participating in the race, sponsoring the event, or simply coming
out to support, you're helping us to provide you know,
those resources and opportunities for the young people.
Speaker 3 (33:42):
In our community. Sounds forward to it every single year.
Speaker 2 (33:46):
Yeah, it sounds like a fantastic time. Where would people
register if they're wanting to participate.
Speaker 4 (33:51):
Yeah, absolutely, so they can go straight to our website,
Southwest Trade dot com. There's a banner at the very
top that says Run of the Dead twenty twenty four.
You'll be able to click there and get to the
registration takes it to an event site where you'll be
able to sign up. It is a nationally recognized, you know, marathon,
so runners, the most advanced of runners, you know, come
(34:14):
out and make sure that they, you know, get their
times in and get their marathon complete it.
Speaker 3 (34:20):
So yeah, it's it's a fun time.
Speaker 4 (34:22):
It's you don't even want to leave, Like it's just
so much fun packed into the day. Really, we really
just try to make it that way so that people
again going back to that feeling. Yeah, that sensing like
we want all of your senses ignited when you come
to the Run of the Debt.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
Yeah, that sounds like a great time. November second, my friends,
November second, November Wright Aster at Southwest Detroit dot com. Hey,
and if you have not been to Southwest Detroit in
a while, it's time to go clearly, you guys have
a lot of great stuff going on.
Speaker 4 (34:50):
There's so much more. We could go on and on.
I know we have not that much time, but yes,
there's so much going on.
Speaker 3 (34:56):
We do.
Speaker 4 (34:56):
Just invite everyone to just stay engaged on our activities
and our events through our website, we have everything. We're
very active on social media as well through Softwest to
Trade Business Association or sdbadet for the handell. But yeah,
we are excited for everything that we're doing and everything
that we have coming down for the rest of this
(35:18):
year and moving into twenty twenty five as well.
Speaker 2 (35:21):
Well. Thank you for everything you're doing to help the
Southwest Detroit community. Brandy. We appreciate it and look forward
to visiting soon because there's so much, so many good
things going on. Again, our guest today has been Brandy Watts.
She's the vice president of Programs and Compliance for the
Southwest Detroit Business Association. Get down there, my friends. Thank
you so much, Brandy.
Speaker 3 (35:40):
Thank you for having me. It was a pleasure.
Speaker 1 (35:41):
Yes, this has been light Up the d a community,
a fairs program from iHeartMedia Detroit. If your organization would
like to get on the program, email Colleen Grant at
iHeartMedia dot com. Here are all episodes on this station's
podcast page.
Welcome to Light Up the D'll focus on what's happening
in our community from the people who make it happen.
Here's your host, iHeartMedia Detroit Market President Colleen Grant.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Good morning, and welcome to another episode of Light Up
the D. My name is Colleen Grant, and I'm your
host today. I am happily joined by Brandy Watts. Brandy
is the vice president of Programs and Clients at the
Southwest Detroit Business Association, a nonprofit organization that was formed
in nineteen fifty seven as a coalition of businesses and
(00:33):
community interests dedicated to fostering a stable and economically healthy
Southwest Detroit. So she's out there helping people in the community.
I love it, and we're going to talk a lot
about that today. In her role, Brandy oversees strategic and
operational efficiency, ensuring compliance across the organization's many program areas,
discussing the Southwest Detroit Business Association. Welcome, Brandy Watts, thanks
(00:56):
for joining us today.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
So let's just get down to the really nuts bolth
of that. What is the Southwest Detroit Business Association. You've
been around for I'd said nineteen fifty seven, which is
an extraordinarily long time to be helping the community. Tell
us about your organization and the community that you serve.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Yes, yes, thank you again for having me.
Speaker 4 (01:15):
The Southwest Detrode Business Association, as we affectionately know is SDBA,
has indeed been a driving force for economic growth and
opportunity in Southwest Detroite for nearly seventy years. As you said,
our organization was founded with a deep commitment to the community.
Our mission is to foster a thriving economic environment that
not only supports the local businesses, but also enhances the
(01:37):
overall quality of the residents there in Southwest Detroit.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Southwest Detroit, if.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
You haven't been, it's a vibrant and diverse community known
for its rich cultural heritage. You know, especially within the
Hispanic community. Diversity is the cornerstone of our neighborhood's identity
and a significant source of our strength. The businesses there
reflect you know, this cultural we like to call it
(02:03):
tapestry that's been woven, and there's legacy businesses that have
been there in the community for years and years, passed
down from generation to generation, family owned restaurants, shops, industrial
enterprises as well and a lot of new embudding entrepreneurs
as well food trucks. I mean, you can come down
and just about see a lot of the scene in
(02:23):
Southwest Detroit and just get a rich cultural vibe from
what's going on down in Southwest Detroit.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
They're at STBA.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
You know.
Speaker 4 (02:30):
Again, we work tirely to support those businesses, whether it's
through advocacy or providing technical assistance, facilitating access to resources,
all to help those businesses grow and thrive. We also
focus on attracting new investment to the area as well,
you know, fostering relationships that can lead to job creation
for the residents in the community and create opportunities for
(02:52):
the residents themselves to prosper right there in.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Their own community.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
We like to almost invigorate a local walk of thriving economy.
In addition to our many economic development efforts, we are
deeply invested in just equity across the board and dismantling
as many barriers as we can. We believe that by
supporting the businesses and the investment climate, we can create
(03:17):
that whole inclusive that benefits all. Our work is also
just about preserving that unique character that I talked about.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
And it is great, super diverse and super unique, very special.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Yes, thank you at s Toba.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
You know, we're just there to ensure that it remains
a place where businesses can succeed, families can thrive in
the rich cultural heritage that makes our community so special,
continues to be just that.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Yeah, it's interesting. I was making a graphic for her
moving down to the Eastern Market, as I mentioned you guys,
and I was making a graphic that's going to go
on the wall while I wasn't making it. I'm certainly
no artist, let's be honest. I was working on a graphic.
He was creating it for me, who is the actual
talented one. But it identifies all the different areas in
(04:07):
across the city of Detroit, and you really nailed it
on the head. Is one of the things that I
was really excited about what you said was preserving the
identity because you're the area that you serve is very unique,
and we want areas that people go into and that
they get a different feeling and that they find different
kinds of shops and you know, support local businesses that
(04:29):
offer different kinds of products to people and that they're
giving jobs to all sorts of different kinds of people, like,
it's very special the community that you serve.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
Yeah, you know, you mentioned that, and it makes me
think of a lot of the initiatives we started, especially
with the influx of the NFL draft that came and
then the Michigan Central Grand Station opening, we started a
whole campaign cloud Experience Southwest Detroit, and it is just
that we want you to come, taste, feel, look and
see everything that Southwest de Traite is, which is more
(04:59):
than just tequila. There's so much much more going on
in those corridors, and we want to make sure that
everyone experiences.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
That give us a little bit of a taste of
that that campaign Experience Detroit.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Right experienced Southwestern or Southwest Detroit.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
Yeah, like what did we see and what did we
for somebody who hadn't seen it, what might they have
seen and heard that gives them the idea that it's
more than just tequila and tacos, which is like just
the most basic of all things, actually the most basic
ball things that, let's be honest, are really really important.
But what else might they have seen?
Speaker 4 (05:32):
So we really wanted to make sure that we capitalize
that opportunity for all of that foot traffic that was
coming into the downtown area, as well as again surrounding
Michigan Central's Grain opening. We wanted to make sure that
people knew just a couple of blocks away that you
can walk, you can shop, you can eat, you can
see beautiful murals, you can see some of the architecture
(05:53):
that has happened as a result of development. We have
a beautiful pedestrian bridge that connects the two riders of
Bagley Street.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
There's just so much to do Clark Park.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
There's so many establishments within Southwest Detroit where folks can come.
You can walk, you can get a bike, you can
get on one of those electric scooters or whatever you
want to do to just go through. We've created a
lot of little road maps or story maps that will
link you from different spots throughout Southwest de traits. So
if you're you can pull up a mural map that
(06:26):
we have on our website, and if you're at one
mural and you want to, oh, where's the next one?
How do I get to it? It will tell you
the distance to the next mural, give you a brief
intro of what that mural is and who the artist is,
and then guide you from there. How many do you
want to see because there's tons, right. We did the
same with our restaurants as well. We call a restaurant storymap,
so just giving you an idea of where you want.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
To go and why you should go there.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
So we just we try to make sure that people
can get connected just really quickly scan a QR cold
across town. There's different spots to be able to do that.
We have a couple of interactive kiosks that are down
there that kind of give you a little bit of
of of rootiness to where the next next attraction is
going to be.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
But there's just so much to see.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
We have musical historical markers for Tehano music down in
our mercado in the marketplace.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
There's just so much to see.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Yeah, you really nailed it right there too. It's not
just about the businesses and the food and the art,
but the music.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
Yeah, very key, very key, And there's so many varieties, right.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (07:32):
Most people think of the Mexican and the Hispanic community,
but there are I can't even count and tell you
how many countries of origin that have have melted into
Southwest Detroit that represent the LATINX community.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
So there are different. You know, a very vast verse
community in Southwest Detroit.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
A lot will get sounds and food and music and
experience from all all genres of culture.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Yeah, so vibrant. I mean, makes sure you want to
get down to southwester Destroit right away. And if somebody
just will stop down here real quick for a story map,
where would they go to find story?
Speaker 4 (08:09):
The storylaps right to our website southwest Detroit dot com.
You can click on the events tab and see some
of the events that we have locally. You can do
the drop down from our community tab and see those
storymaps and different cultural significances that are going on in
the community.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
It's great, thank you for sharing that. So when we
talk about the sdba's programs initiatives, who are the key stakeholders?
Keep people involved in making sure that you're advancing what
your goals are for the community.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Yeah. Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
The STBA operates through collabative efforts of a diverse group
of key stakeholders within our organization. First and foremost, our
leadership is instrumental obviously in guiding our organization. And I'm
proud to share that for the first time a sdba's
nearly seventy year history. We have a Latina leading our organization.
This is a significant milestone, you know, not just for
(09:03):
our organization, but for the community we serve. You know,
her leadership brings a deep understanding of the cultural and
economic dynamics of Southwest Detroit, and she's been a driving before,
driving force behind many of our recent initiatives. She's from
the community. She refers to herself as the daughter that
Southwest raised, so she's able to look at the community
and the needs from a different lens. Not to say
(09:24):
that we've been around for seven nearly seventy years, so
there has been success throughout the history of sdba's leadership,
but I think we're looking at things through a little
bit of a different lens this time around.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Yeah, different perspective, yeah for sure. Yeah, one that's really
ingrained in the communities in their life.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:40):
We make it a point to listen to the businesses
and know where their pain points are in the community
and the residents to find out what type of programming
we need to implement.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
But to have her at our.
Speaker 4 (09:49):
Helm and our leadership just really takes it to a
whole other level. She already gets it in addition to
our leadership, we're of course governed by a dedicated board
of directors that's comp of community leaders, business owners, and
industry experts as well, who provide strategic direction and oversight
our key Some of our other key stakeholders include local
(10:09):
businesses and entrepreneurs who are at the heart of our work.
They range from small again family owned shops to larger
industrial enterprises. They're the backbone of the Southwest de Traits economy.
We work closely with them day in and day out,
offering resources, advocacy and support. We also engage public and
private sector partners as well government agencies, educational institutions not
(10:33):
other nonprofits that have been key stakeholders in the community
for many, many years. Those partnerships allow us to be
able to leverage resources off of each other, expertise and
networks to amplify our overall impact and whether we're collaborating
on just programs public safety initiatives. We have a few
of those initiatives that are going on in Southwest Detroit
(10:56):
community beautification efforts. Our partnerships are critical to our success.
And lastly, the residents of Southwestern Trade. As I said,
we have to listen to the businesses, but we also
want to key in and make sure that the residents
have our ear as well. They are ultimately the beneficiaries
of everything that we do living there, and their voices
are very integral to shaping what we offer as far
(11:19):
as our programs go, and we just we engage with
them directly. We make it a very direct point to
engage with our residents directly and so that we're responsive
to their needs.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
It really all works together that way. So the STBA
offers I mean you've indicated a wide variety of programs
and resources, you know, impacting small businesses and all sorts
of other organizations, your neighbors, visitors to the area. But
there you have a program that I'd love for you
to talk about, the Small Business Advocacy Center. Can you
(11:52):
tell us about that program and how it's helping the community.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
Yeah, thank you for the opportunity to talk about the SVAC.
The Small Business Advocacy Center is very near and close
to our hearts because it's the direct and meaningful impact
that we have.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
On the small business community.
Speaker 4 (12:07):
Through the s VAC, we are able to dedicate those
direct assistance resources to both those aspiring aspiring business owners
and then the established legacy businesses in our area. Where
As I said, we're a vibrant community with a rich
cultural heritage and the local businesses reflect that diversity and
that dynamicsm that that's there, but navigating some of the complex,
(12:33):
you know, structures of starting the business or running the
business can be challenging. Just working sometimes just to get
things going different permitting knowing if you're ready to go
brick and mortar, or if you're ready to you know,
branch out your marketing plan or however you want to.
There's so many different ways that the SBAC comes in
(12:53):
and offers that professional space where entrepreneurs can access group sessions,
one on one consulting, bilingual assistance.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Which is huge.
Speaker 4 (13:03):
That's a huge barrier for us for the community to
be able to they know what they need, they just
don't know how to get it. And then when it's
time to communicate with the folks that to express those needs,
that's where a challenge can come in.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
So dismantling that barrier, we're there.
Speaker 4 (13:18):
To tailor our our services to their needs to.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
A lot of training and resources.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
Yes, a lot of training and resources. Recently last year
we implemented our Walking Wednesdays. We felt that format was needed.
We felt that a lot of our businesses, they're busy
all day, they don't necessarily have the the free with
all to create an appointment or say that I can
dedicate this time every single day. So we've we've created
(13:46):
this walk in Wednesday structure so that the more it
became repetitive, those business owners knew that, oh and Wednesdays,
I can go to that s DBI. So we wanted
something very regular and very consistent. We bring in strategic partners.
We have a S with Service Providers group. Again, some
of those key stakeholders we've talked about different organizations have
come together and welded their expertise together. So those Walking
(14:09):
Wednesdays allow us to float what the programming will be
for that day. So it could be technical assistance for
website development, it could be accounting eight Society is coming
in to help you with your books, to get you
from paper to you know, something a little bit more
business savvy. But it's just we're able to offer a
(14:29):
very diverse curriculum through our SBAC. But yes, it is
just what we've did, what we've designed there is just
for it to be a community hub space where the
businesses and budding entrepreneurs they can know they can come
for assistance.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
And help, yeah, at their convenience when they're you know,
when you're really busy, it is hard to figure out,
like why am I actually going to fit this in?
So I love walking Wednesdays. Yes, it's great. So one
of the programs that I know you have that I
really love and we'll get to why in a minute.
But it's just second Floor Residential Grant program because you
do something really special with the second floors above businesses,
(15:06):
which we've all seen it. You know, there's a business
below and then there's not much going on above and
you're solving that. And I love, I love what you're
doing with that. Let's talk about it.
Speaker 4 (15:15):
We're working hard to solve that and have worked hard
on that for quite some time now, for a few years,
and very important program. We're committed to not only you know,
fostering that economic development, but also the community to grow
and that's what we try to accomplish through the Second
Floor Residential Program. It's a collaboration between SEBA and the
(15:36):
City of Detroite through the Housing Revitalation Department or HRD.
The goal of that program, as you said, is to
address the issues of vacant underutilized spaces above commercial properties
in Southwestern trade. Those spaces often sit empty, present a
tremendous amount of opportunity to create much needed affordable housing
in the community. We convert, we work to convert those
(15:59):
second floor commercial spaces into apartment units.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
We're you know, in that space.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
We're not only revitalizing those buildings themselves, but we're also
contribute to the virancy of the neighborhood. Right We're keeping
up keeping up with the with making sure that that
space is utilizing and that is able to be utilized
and inhabited by those that need it. The program is
designed to make those conversions also very feasibly and economical
(16:25):
for the property owners. So we've set a targeted goal,
most recently with hrd in creating twenty four rental units.
So we do them in phases, and we've set a goal,
let's let's target this many. And through that initiative, you know,
we we've been able to offer a lot of eligible
construction improvements through those second floor apartments for many of
(16:46):
those big property owners. That funding for that program is
crucial because it helps reduce the financial birding on the
on the on the property owners, they're making it more
of attractive investment for them to invest in those conversions.
So it's a win win for everyone involved. The property
owners are able to enhance the value of their buildings,
and the community benefits from the addition of the affordable housing,
(17:10):
which is so instant essential for especially in the city
of Detroit.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
Love. It gets people in housing, and it does contribute
the beautification of the community because people take pride in
their area. And lord knows, if you're if a building
is sitting empty, it's becoming decrepit, you know, so putting
people in it who are going to take care of
it and you know, the errors flowing, and it's you know,
revitalizing the building at the top as well.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
So I yeah, it's not just about adding new housing units.
It's just what you say, revitalizing the community. It's preserving
the unique character of some of these buildings have been
are quite you know, they're they're old, they're old traditional
style buildings and they need they need the proper care
and work to restore them to that you know, historic
charm that they may have. So you know, we we
(17:54):
means that it means we're able to just maintain the
cultural and architectural integrity of the neighborhood, but also while
addressing the needs of the you know, for housing well.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
And you're doing even more of that with the Facade Matching,
Grant and Design Assistance Program. Yeah, now let's talk about that.
Speaker 4 (18:08):
So similar in the same vein right, we are all
about we we kind of lean towards more sustainability than beautification.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Yes, it's beautification, but.
Speaker 4 (18:18):
At the end of the day, we need to sustain
these buildings. We need to sustain our neighborhoods, and a
lot of times the assistance that we're able to provide
through these programming is the assistance that those businesses need
to sustain because they can otherwise or be hard or
you know, financially otherwise.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
So with the Facade.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Matching, Grant and Design Assistance Program, it's a transferformative initiative.
It's designed it's designed to incentivize again property and business
owner to make a static improvements you know, to their
buildings and storefronts, which in turn, again overall enhances the appeal,
safety and vibrancy of our of our shopping district of
(18:56):
our business district, so we provide small grants to business
and property owners to help them fund those improvements. They
cover architectural services and reimburse up to fifty percent of
the conversion costs for those businesses. It's again more than
just beautification. It's about fostering community investment and catalyzing private contributions.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
So we are just happy.
Speaker 4 (19:20):
That since the mid nineteen nineties we've completed more than
thirty five projects just resulting in total investment of over
millions of dollars. We have some profful examples we like
to in our conference room if if if you were
to visit our Southwestern Trade offices on Burness on Burner Highway,
we have some of our most recent projects where you
(19:42):
can see the before and after impact that we're able
to get for these business owners and it just really
really is so empowerful, powerful and impactful. Again, some of
it more beyond beautification. Some of these buildings have walls
that have been hit and the bricks are literally falling
over awnings that have not been or been in disrepair
for for many many years. Again just stoff things that
(20:06):
need to happen in our community to again sustain the
vitality and the strength of the community.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Yeah, it's hard to be a business owner in particular,
or a small business owner. You're trying to operate a
business and then you have all these repairs or all
these upgrades or all these things to keep your business
looking the way you want, and just getting that hand
from the the SDBA is probably makes all the difference.
Speaker 4 (20:26):
Yeah, those improvements, I mean, they're they're varied in there,
but they're impactful, all of them, ranging from signage to lighting,
to powwash and painting, new awnings, window displays, and even
just even more complete storefront, complete renovations. They make it
more attractive for the visitors, but also address practical issues cold.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Light violations, you know, things that cost money.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
Things that cost money.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
It costs could cost them to shutter their doors, right,
and so we don't want that to happen.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Right.
Speaker 4 (20:56):
We're always working proactively to make sure that we're standing
on the forefront of that. But that requires funding, and
so we're always looking for funding to be able to provide.
Speaker 3 (21:07):
These grants to those businesses.
Speaker 4 (21:10):
It's something that's always at the top of mind in
conversations that we're having strategically as we implement future programming.
Some of these programs that have been around since the
start of SDBA or nearly thereafter, and it's important that
we maintain them because the community has come to rely
on these on this funding.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
Right last year, the SDBA and its development partners broke
around on La Joya Gardens. So that was a twenty
four million dollar development for mixed use, mixed income, residential
and commercial building located on West fern Or Highway in
southwest Detroit. Tell us a little bit about that project.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
I mean, that's enormous, enormous and so excited to talk
about La Hoya Gardens. It's nearing the end of completion,
so we're even more excited. It's been a five more
than a five year project. There was, of course some
slowdowns and things with the pandemic, but we are so
close to the finish line and.
Speaker 3 (22:03):
It just feels so good.
Speaker 4 (22:05):
It's it's it's a very issue that are very significant
initiative that has been taken on by SDBA and our
development partners over the last.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
Recent five years.
Speaker 4 (22:16):
The twenty four million dollar mixed use, mixed income development
is on Verner Highway. It's in the heart of southwest Detroit,
and it represents a major step for in US enhancing
our efforts with the community. It's mixed use, as you said,
it's fifty three units and six thousand square feet of
commercial phase space.
Speaker 3 (22:35):
Other amenities in that building is going to.
Speaker 4 (22:36):
Cclude like an outdoor terance, fully equipped fitness center, central
community room, to public plazas, and a location that's really
close and adjacent to public transportation, which.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
Is really important in that building as well.
Speaker 4 (22:50):
One of the things that we were able to do,
which a lot of new developments will tout that it
is affordable right or it's affordable housing. We have a
thirty sixty and eighty percent AMI or an average meeting income.
Of our three residential units, forty two are affordable at
(23:10):
the thirty sixty and eighty percent AMI and then eleven
our market rate, So that speaks volume.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
A lot of.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
Times developments will just echine with the bare minimum needed.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
To qualify as affordable housing. We are truly, truly more.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
Than what is that more than almost almost eighty percent
of the units are listed at the affordable ranges that
I mentioned to you. The impact of Laoya Gardens in
the community will be significant. We're working to make sure
that affordable housing is there, ensuring long term residents can
continue to live in the neighborhood not be pushed out
(23:46):
even as the area develops. Right the commercial space will
also support local businesses and create some jobs and stimulate
the local economy as well.
Speaker 3 (23:56):
We will see also the establishment.
Speaker 4 (23:58):
Of this is a really cool part a retail pop
up incubator style space for entrepreneurs who don't quick quite
know if they're ready for brick and mortar, so it's
beyond a pop up. It gives them like that space
to test the waters for three to six months on
a very very low lease, that low lease and short
(24:19):
term lease so they can see do I have enough
inventory to make it, have I staffed appropriately? Is this
something that I can handle? Having that commercial storefront right
on Unburn or gives them the access to the exposure
to bring in that foot traffic and just to test
the waters of their business to see if they're ready
ready to make the plunge. So from there they decide
they do want to, then that's that's where SDBA can
(24:40):
come in again on the real estate advocacy because it's
something we also do and help them find that space
now that they know they can handle it and can
handle a longer term lease or a longer term commitment
and a higher rental unit, then we can help them
with that as well. We like to give those entrepreneurs
a space and the ability to succeed or or fail. Right,
(25:01):
and that fail means that maybe you just have to
wait a little longer, take a step back, or maybe
I'm not ready to make that plunge. But we're giving
them the ability to test that out.
Speaker 2 (25:09):
So we know, a twenty four million dollar development doesn't
just grow on a tree. Yes, right, so where does
where does the what community partners or investors are involved
in supporting the STBA and a submission to help the community.
Who's who's making this happen?
Speaker 4 (25:22):
Yes, so we brought together again a lot of public
and private resources. SDBA is forty nine percentnire Group is
the fifty one percent controlling partner in that, so we
are SNIOR is more of the residential handling the residential
aspect of the development. STBA is handling the commercial side
and the incubator space. As I mentioned to you, So
(25:44):
there will be some other retail established retail businesses that
will go in that space.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
As well as six thousand square feet.
Speaker 4 (25:50):
But the project leverage more than two point five million
from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development so
HUD one point six million from the City of Detroit
Strategic neighbor Hood Fund. Those critical investments reflect the confidence
that those agencies had in the future of Southwest Trade
and the importance of providing this quality affordable housing in
our community.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
When we talk about like youth programs, what do you
got going on? You know, we were talked about we
talked about the businesses, and we talked about some of
the programs that you have going on the developments. But
I know that you also have some youth programs that
you work on. Let's talk a little bit about that.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
I love to talk about it.
Speaker 4 (26:30):
Most people think of Southwest de Traite Business Association, and
that's what they hear, right, business association. You guys do
work with a lot of businesses.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
Well.
Speaker 4 (26:38):
At the heart of SDBA, we also have our little
special jewel that we call COMPAS, which stands for Center
of Music and Performing Arts Southwest. It's a shining example
of our commitment to the youth development and preserving the
cultural heritage of the community.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
It's a unique program.
Speaker 4 (26:56):
In that it provides art and training and cultural experiences
for for youth after school.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
Those are our.
Speaker 4 (27:03):
Future entrepreneurs and business owners that we're now supporting today
with our mini programming offerings that we have right now.
They're the ones that are coming up next, so we
have to have a place for them to grow in
thought and thrive.
Speaker 3 (27:15):
The program is.
Speaker 4 (27:16):
Rooted in the belief that the arts are a powerful
tool for personal growth, expression and community building. It's what
sets come part apart from other programs is its emphasis
also on the preservation of the cultural identity of Southwest
de Trade.
Speaker 3 (27:31):
So we are.
Speaker 4 (27:33):
Offering different programs in music, dance, art, visual arts so
that the students are able to express and able to
sorry sorry, so that they're able to you know, develop
their youth, their development and the arts which is crucial
(27:54):
to helping them build their confidence, their resilience and the
sense of identity. A part of what we we established
with Compas is our compos used ensemble band and they
are great. They have performed at different venues across the city.
Everywhere they go, they're acts to come back. They're really
a fantastic group. They will be a part of the
(28:14):
lot of the a part of the lot of initiatives
and the entertainment that we'll be having coming coming up
and some of our events that we have slated for
the rest of the year. Wonderful group. If if you
haven't had the opportunity here from the Compas Ensemble Band,
you're you're really going to be delighted.
Speaker 3 (28:30):
You're really going to be delighted.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
I love that you've incorporated music and performing arts into
what you guys do for the community, you know, because,
like you said, the heritage is part of the whole
beauty of the area that you represent.
Speaker 3 (28:42):
Yeah, it is.
Speaker 4 (28:43):
It's just a significant role again in us keeping the
rich cultural traditions of the community alive.
Speaker 3 (28:48):
You know.
Speaker 4 (28:49):
It allows us to bring the young folks into the
arts and ensuring that the stories, music and the dances
of our ancestors in the community continues to be passed down,
you know, generation to generation.
Speaker 3 (28:59):
So it strengthen the strengthens those cultural ties. And it's
just more.
Speaker 4 (29:05):
It's more than just a youth and arts program. It
is a vital part of the fabric of the community. Again,
like a lot of our other events, folks look forward
to being able to enroll their kids and compass. You know,
when when do we start our next session? How many
classes are you going to be offering? Are you doing
anything new this year? So it's a lot and we
(29:26):
certainly enjoy it. And again it too is funded completely
so that there is no cost to the family. But
that costs you know, that means that cost has to
come from somewhere. So we do a lot of engagement
and a lot of fundraising to make sure that we
can continue to offer that program at no cost to
those families.
Speaker 2 (29:47):
Well, speaking of fundraisers, we can't we can't wrap up
until you tell us a little bit about Running the Dead.
Speaker 4 (29:54):
Yes, again, as that's one of those other things that
we get the constant call when is Run of the Day? Right,
So Run of the Dead if you've never been on
a Saturday in November, which is the first Saturday in November,
November second to our Run of the Dead, you truly
truly wanna wanna you know, register today? We will host
(30:15):
that on November second. As I said, it's a five
k ten k marathon race, but there's so much more
we that we expand the event too. It's a thrilling
athletic race, but there's so much more. It is the
largest fundraiser for Compas, the youth group that we were
just talking to, the Center of Music and Performing Arts Southwest.
(30:36):
It's a celebration of culture, community, and remembrance. It's tied
to the Mexican holiday Dia dels Mortos, so the Day
of the Dead, which is a time when we honor
and remember our deceased loved ones.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
The races that's really one of my favorite holidays that
on the community celebrates. Yeah, you know, it's meaningful.
Speaker 4 (30:55):
It's meaningful, and a lot of people see like the
sugar skulls or they see, you know, some of the
decorative elements, but they don't quite really understand all that,
you know, the history and the significance behind them, and.
Speaker 2 (31:07):
Some ancestors really thinking about the people that came before
you and kind of paved the way for you.
Speaker 3 (31:11):
Yep, yep.
Speaker 4 (31:13):
So the race itself, it weaves itself through the streets
of Southwest Detroit. We start at Patton Park. If you're
doing the full ten k form of the race, you're
going to go through two different cemeteries.
Speaker 3 (31:25):
It's the top of the morning, so it's.
Speaker 4 (31:28):
You know, some people hear cemeteries and they.
Speaker 2 (31:31):
Got yeah, they're running way through cemeteries like hold on
your net.
Speaker 4 (31:37):
So it is five K. You will go through a
Woodmere cemetery. If you're doing the ten k, you will
also go through Holy Cross Cemetery and back around the
route back to Patent Park. One of the most special
aspects of the Run of the Dead is the way
and incorporates the traditions of the day of the debt.
Speaker 3 (31:55):
People wear a traditional.
Speaker 4 (31:56):
Face paint attire that reflect the colorful and meaningful customs
of the holiday. Along the race route or along the
race route and in ourselves. You'll find enough frenda, which
is an altar that you dedicate to your ancestors. You
put things on the altar that that ancestor enjoyed. Food
they like to eat, you know, music they like to hear,
(32:19):
whatever you feel special in remembrance of that ancestor, you
create that display we have. Speaking of story maps, I
mentioned that earlier. We do one for Afrinda's in the community.
Speaker 3 (32:31):
Those are the odds.
Speaker 4 (32:32):
So every business that sets up there a frienda, we
get a nice image of it and we make sure
that we share that with the community.
Speaker 3 (32:40):
So again, if you're at.
Speaker 4 (32:41):
One afrienda similar to the maps I talked about with
the murals and the restaurants. You can look up where's
that next Afrinda, So you can almost do a tour
through southwest Detroit and look at those murals around day
of the dad and they stay up for a good
amount of time. Most of the businesses do leave them
up a couple of weeks. But back to the run, Yeah,
it is, it is. There's performances again Compass the students
(33:04):
perform they're at the race. There's local bites, things to
eat from local vendors. We have booths, we have resource boosts,
and we keep it like health fair and engaged because
it's a run, so we want people to get some
health resources. But there's also other fun things and shopping
and things that we do as part of the Run.
Speaker 3 (33:22):
Of the Debt.
Speaker 4 (33:25):
And then all of the funds again I said, raised
for Run of the Debt benefit and support Compass in
the mission behind it. So that means that if you're
participating in the race, sponsoring the event, or simply coming
out to support, you're helping us to provide you know,
those resources and opportunities for the young people.
Speaker 3 (33:42):
In our community. Sounds forward to it every single year.
Speaker 2 (33:46):
Yeah, it sounds like a fantastic time. Where would people
register if they're wanting to participate.
Speaker 4 (33:51):
Yeah, absolutely, so they can go straight to our website,
Southwest Trade dot com. There's a banner at the very
top that says Run of the Dead twenty twenty four.
You'll be able to click there and get to the
registration takes it to an event site where you'll be
able to sign up. It is a nationally recognized, you know, marathon,
so runners, the most advanced of runners, you know, come
(34:14):
out and make sure that they, you know, get their
times in and get their marathon complete it.
Speaker 3 (34:20):
So yeah, it's it's a fun time.
Speaker 4 (34:22):
It's you don't even want to leave, Like it's just
so much fun packed into the day. Really, we really
just try to make it that way so that people
again going back to that feeling. Yeah, that sensing like
we want all of your senses ignited when you come
to the Run of the Debt.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
Yeah, that sounds like a great time. November second, my friends,
November second, November Wright Aster at Southwest Detroit dot com. Hey,
and if you have not been to Southwest Detroit in
a while, it's time to go clearly, you guys have
a lot of great stuff going on.
Speaker 4 (34:50):
There's so much more. We could go on and on.
I know we have not that much time, but yes,
there's so much going on.
Speaker 3 (34:56):
We do.
Speaker 4 (34:56):
Just invite everyone to just stay engaged on our activities
and our events through our website, we have everything. We're
very active on social media as well through Softwest to
Trade Business Association or sdbadet for the handell. But yeah,
we are excited for everything that we're doing and everything
that we have coming down for the rest of this
(35:18):
year and moving into twenty twenty five as well.
Speaker 2 (35:21):
Well. Thank you for everything you're doing to help the
Southwest Detroit community. Brandy. We appreciate it and look forward
to visiting soon because there's so much, so many good
things going on. Again, our guest today has been Brandy Watts.
She's the vice president of Programs and Compliance for the
Southwest Detroit Business Association. Get down there, my friends. Thank
you so much, Brandy.
Speaker 3 (35:40):
Thank you for having me. It was a pleasure.
Speaker 1 (35:41):
Yes, this has been light Up the d a community,
a fairs program from iHeartMedia Detroit. If your organization would
like to get on the program, email Colleen Grant at
iHeartMedia dot com. Here are all episodes on this station's
podcast page.
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