On March 30, 2017 House Bill 4456 was introduced. The Bill would repeal Michigan’s prohibition on Rent Control. The Bill was presumably proposed in response to the affordable housing crisis in Michigan and all across the United States. Other local governments across the U.S. are exploring legislative avenues to address the housing crisis. According toContinue reading “Recent Michigan House Bill Would Repeal Prohibition on Rent Control – A Response to the Affordable Housing Crisis?”
Category Archives: non-profit
Reflections from the Past-Board Chair at Mel Trotter Ministries.
On Wednesday my year-long term as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mel Trotter Ministries came to an end. It truly has been my honor to serve. As I reflect on my year of service, I wanted to share a few thoughts. Who was Mel Trotter? On Tuesdays throughout the year, Mel Trotter MinistriesContinue reading “Reflections from the Past-Board Chair at Mel Trotter Ministries.”
Fintech Update: Disruption for Good. The OCC’s Remarks Yesterday to Fintech Innovators at LendIt USA in New York
Yesterday, Thomas J. Curry, Comptroller of the Currency gave remarks about Fintech Innovation at LendIT USA (The Worlds Biggest Show in Lending and Fintech) Conference in New York. You can read Mr. Curry’s remarks here. Mr. Curry praised the innovative Fintech Companies who “have fueled healthy competition to modernize and improve how the nation’s financial services needsContinue reading “Fintech Update: Disruption for Good. The OCC’s Remarks Yesterday to Fintech Innovators at LendIt USA in New York”
Michigan Legislation Update: The Urban Food Initiative. Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores.
Two Thanksgivings ago I took my family to New York City. Even amidst the chaos of protecting my 4 young children from darting out into oncoming traffic – we absolutely loved the City. We loved the walk-ability of City life – that you could walk down a block to a grocery store and get allContinue reading “Michigan Legislation Update: The Urban Food Initiative. Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores.”
A “Fierce Urgency.” Reflections on Community Development/Affordable Housing.
“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there “is” such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.” –Continue reading “A “Fierce Urgency.” Reflections on Community Development/Affordable Housing.”
Update on Community Development and Affordable Housing: Is an Answer Found in Social Enterprise?
Today the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund released its five year Strategic Plan If you are not familiar with the CDFI, the CDFI “works to spur economic growth and opportunity in many of our nation’s most distressed communities.“ “The CDFI Fund’s mission is to expand economic opportunity for underserved people and communities by supporting theContinue reading “Update on Community Development and Affordable Housing: Is an Answer Found in Social Enterprise?”
Trending Towards Social Entrepreneurship: Update on Michigan’s Benefit Corporation Legislation.
House Bills 5710, 5711 & 5712 were introduced on May 31, that would allow BCorps to be formed under Michigan Law. Although the State House has taken no formal action since June 1, in late September the House Fiscal Agency issued a Fiscal Analysis on the BCorp bills, check it out here. The AnalysisContinue reading “Trending Towards Social Entrepreneurship: Update on Michigan’s Benefit Corporation Legislation.”
Reflections on the Guy with the Jack Hammer…
This morning I was making my commute to work on the highway – traffic was backed up and at a stand still. Eventually, all cars started to roll along slowly (at this point, I was happy that at least traffic was moving). Fifteen minutes and a few miles later I slowly passed the root cause of theContinue reading “Reflections on the Guy with the Jack Hammer…”
Another West Michigan Business becomes a Certified B Corp
Happy Friday! Yesterday MIBiz reported on the latest West Michigan Business to obtain B -Corp Certification The Highland Group becomes certified B Corp. I’ve previously posted on West Michigan’s Thriving Culture of Social Entrepreneurship in Michigan, the biggest concentration of the B-Corp businesses are in the Grand Rapids area, where there are 11 — twice as manyContinue reading “Another West Michigan Business becomes a Certified B Corp”
About Propaganda Doughnuts’ Closing and West Michigan Business. Working to Build a Better Community.
A few days ago MLIVE posted about Propaganda Doughnuts’ closing on South Division in Downtown Grand Rapids. I was a fan of Propaganda Doughnuts. Occasionally on Sundays after church my family would pick up some doughnuts and go to a park with some friends. I am sorry that I won’t be able to do that any more.Continue reading “About Propaganda Doughnuts’ Closing and West Michigan Business. Working to Build a Better Community.”
Purpose Driven General Counsel 