The United States is having a national conversation about historical discrimination against people of color. Many lawyers are also working on the question of “How do we address the economic inequalities caused by discrimination?” Entrepreneurship is one traditional path to building stability and strengthening communities in the U.S., but many Black and Brown business owners lack access to the capital they need to sustain and grow their business ideas.
This episode takes a close look at how pro bono Detroit lawyers are partnering with the grassroots group Osborn Business Association to support local entrepreneurs who want to strengthen their businesses and have access to the capital they need to grow and succeed.
FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE
Shamyle Maya Dobbs
Shamyle Maya Dobbs, CEO of Michigan Community Resources, brings with her a deep institutional understanding of organizational governance and has an unparalleled passion for the good work done by community organizations.
A native New Yorker and graduate of New York University, Shamyle moved to Michigan in 2001 to complete her Masters of Social Work at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, and went on to receive a Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University Law School. Mrs. Dobbs has over twenty years of experience in nonprofit management and cross-sector relationship building, and extensive experience in human-centered design, program development, evaluation, leadership development, organizational capacity building, business planning, and community or¬ganizing and engagement.
With her core philosophy being that of servant leadership, she believes that leadership is title-less, and embodies practices that enrich the lives of individuals, build stronger organizations, enhance communities, and ultimately create a more just and caring world.
Paul Garrison, II
Paul A. Garrison, II has over 25 years of experience in small business development, supplier diversity, and economic development. He has served as the Business Development Manager with Cole Financial Services and asRepresentative to the Michigan Minority Business Development Council, and worked in the Minority Enterprise Industry with companies such as Cosmopolitan Enterprises, Keys Group, Inc., and Cole Financial Services. He is an expert in Supplier Diversity and Economic Development through Small Business Initiative.
Mr. Garrison started his own Economic Development Consulting Firm in 2008, where he earned a contract with Techtown Detroit as it’s Professional Project Manager overseeing the M1 Rail contract for survey and analysis, which consisted of managing the team that was responsible for tracking all the small businesses in downtown, midtown and the new center area for communicating coordination on the project and creating a GIS System for the mapping.
Mr. Garrison presently serves as the Business Manager on the ONA/OBA/NEI Entrepreneur and Small Business Initiative for Northeast Detroit through the Osborn Community Based Organization. He has been recognized as a Small Business Champion by several community and institutions. As stated, he is an Economic Development Expert in Neighborhood Revitalization through Small Business Initiative and Economic Sustainability. Paul earned his undergraduate degree in Business Economics from The University of Michigan, Masters of Urban Planning & Economic Development from Wayne State University, and Graduate Certificate in Economic Development from Wayne State University.
Thomas Linn
Thomas Linn is currently the chairman emeritus of the firm Miller Canfield, following nearly eight years as the chief executive officer and twenty years as a managing director.
In those positions, he used his substantial administrative experience in directing all aspects of the firm’s professional and business operations.
He is deeply involved in civic and philanthropic activities in the Detroit region, serving on the boards of numerous business, community and charitable organizations. In this service, he is active in advancing the greater interests of the state and region. Recently he has concentrated on encouraging pro bono legal services within the firm and the legal community at large and working with the Michigan State Bar Foundation on increasing resources available to the legal service providers within Michigan.
