2024 Mackinac Policy Conference, AI at work, Memorial Day, Weekend events

This Week on One Detroit:

2024 Mackinac Policy Conference focuses on ‘Bridging the Future Together’ with collaboration across divides

The Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac Policy Conference takes place next week, from Tuesday, May 28 to Friday, May 31. The annual conference brings business, policy and community leaders together on Mackinac Island to discuss some of the state’s most pressing issues. This year’s theme, “Bridging the Future Together,” aims to spark collaboration across various divides.

Conference attendees can expect a series of sessions and speakers addressing key themes critical to Michigan’s prosperity, including strategies to attract businesses and jobs, improving education systems to ensure the workforce is prepared for future challenges, and discussing ways to strengthen Michigan’s infrastructure.

Additionally, there will be a strong emphasis on leading with innovation and equity, highlighting the importance of innovative approaches and equitable practices in leadership to drive sustainable development. Detroit PBS will be livestreaming the conference. You can watch it here.

One Detroit contributor Zoe Clark, political director for Michigan Public, talks with Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah and this year’s conference chair Suzanne Shank, president and CEO of Siebert, Williams, Shank & Company, about what attendees and viewers can expect from the 2024 conference. Plus, they discuss the importance of unity and mutual respect in tackling some of Michigan’s biggest issues.

Artificial intelligence’s impact on the workforce: A conversation with the Workforce Intelligence Network

Artificial intelligence has entered the workforce, but the full implications on the labor market and jobs are still to be seen. Early signs point to white collar jobs being the most impacted, which according a conversation with the Workforce Intelligence Network shows that more women will be impacted by generative AI during their careers than men.

The Workforce Intelligence Network is a collaboration between community colleges and Michigan works agencies based in Southeast Michigan. The organization covers 19 counties comprising roughly 65% of Michigan’s total workforce. Workforce Intelligence Network Senior Economic Research Analyst Kevin Cranick said while there can be downsides, like job losses, from artificial intelligence, there can also be some positives, such as increased worker productivity, which may lead to more free time and new revenue streams.

For One Detroit’s Future of Work series, Cranick sits down with One Detroit Producer Will Glover to discuss generative AI in the workforce. The pair talk about who may be impacted the most by generative AI and how diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are being used by employers as a solution to maintain balance and fairness in the workplace. Cranick also shares advice for students and employees on navigating work as generative AI continues to grow.

Michigan veterans commemorate Memorial Day with reflection and remembrance

Since 1868, Memorial Day has been a time to honor fallen soldiers from every branch of the United State Military. The holiday holds deep personal significance for Michigan’s veterans, as it serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by their fellow servicemen and women. For individual veterans across the state, the day is a time of reflection, remembrance and honoring the memories of their comrades.

The annual holiday also serves as a reminder to the broader community of its ongoing duty to support living veterans. It spotlights discussions about the challenges Michigan’s veterans face, from physical and mental health issues to housing insecurity and more, and encourages the community to rally behind them with compassion and resources.

In recognition of Memorial Day, One Detroit contributor Bryce Huffman sat down with three veterans at the Royal Oak Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1669 — 103-year-old World War II Army veteran Houston Pritchett, Vietnam Air Force veteran Mike Sand and Vietnam Marine Corps veteran Phillip Smith — to learn what the holiday means to each of them and how they commemorate it.

Plus, they talk about where each of their military service journeys began, what family and friends thought about their decision to enlist, the impact of survivor’s guilt and whether they’ve felt it personally, and how they choose to honor fallen veterans beyond the annual holiday.

One Detroit Weekend: May 24, 2024

It’s Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial summer kickoff, and there are activities happening around metro Detroit, like the St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade and Memorial Day 2024 at the War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms.

You can also enjoy food at the Novi BBQ Fest and the Ya’ssoo Greek Festival in Bloomfield Hills. Plus, Movement Music Festival returns to Hart Plaza in Detroit. Contributors Cecelia Sharpe and Dave Wagner of 90.9 WRCJ share more events coming up around town on “One Detroit Weekend.”

Upcoming Events:

The Novi Barbeque Fest: Ribs and Whiskey runs through Memorial Day at the Twelve Mile Crossing at Fountain Park, featuring whiskey tastings, live music, kid activities and more.
The Ya’ssoo Greek Festival May 24-26 at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bloomfield Hills will feature Greek dancing and food as well as magic shows.
Movement Music Festival returns to Detroit’s Hart Plaza May 25-27 for a weekend of electronic music, dancing and fun.
The Kylyn APIA Arts & Culture Festival hosts its “To Heal” concert May 26 at the Ann Arbor District Library downtown branch featuring local Asian American performers, poets and creatives.
The City of St. Clair Shores hosts its 71st annual Memorial Day Parade May 26 on Harper Avenue. The parade starts at Nine Mile Road and travels north to 11 Mile Road.
The Garden Theatre Detroit hosts singer-songwriter Damon Fletcher for his “The Great Experience” performance on May 24.
The Fox Theatre in Detroit presents the West Coast Takeover concert May 25, featuring hip hop artists like E-40 & B-Legit, Too Short, Mack 10 & Above the Law, DJ Quik and other performers.
The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms hosts a Memorial Day ceremony on May 27, featuring musical tributes and a recitation of the local lives lost during military service.

Stay Connected:

Subscribe to One Detroit’s YouTube Channel and don’t miss One Detroit on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 9 a.m. on Detroit PBS, WTVS-Channel 56.

Catch the daily conversations on our website, Facebook, Twitter @OneDetroit_PBS, and Instagram @One.Detroit