For their incredible work within the LGBTQ+ community, the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings celebrate Kevin Heard, founder of the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and Mark Erwin, director of development and advancement at the Ruth Ellis Center, as the final Pride Month Game Changers honorees.

Kevin Heard founded the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce in 2013 with the mission to promote and empower Metropolitan Detroit LGBT, allied business members, non-profit members, corporate partners and their employees through leadership, advocacy and education. The chamber has since grown to have 16 corporate partners and over 100 members.  Heard currently works for Gannett | USA Today Network as diversity and engagement program manager, where he helps oversee Gannett’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.  

In his ten years at Ruth Ellis Center, Mark Erwin has brought significant visibility and resources to the crisis of LGBTQ youth homelessness through innovative events, collaborations, and partnerships. Under Erwin’s leadership, VOICES, the Center’s annual gala has become widely recognized as a signature LGBTQ+ event in Detroit, and has hosted guests such as Wanda Sykes, Lily Tomlin, Margaret Cho, Billy Porter, Jack Antonoff, and Sandra Bernhard, among others. Additionally, Erwin played a lead role in the development of the Ruth Ellis Health & Wellness Center, which has been highlighted in national case studies for its innovation and collaboration with Henry Ford Health System.

The Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings have celebrated Pride Month and share stories across their platforms of Game Changers throughout Detroit. Those recognized provide access, opportunity and year-round support to young people in our community who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer. Earlier this month, the Tigers and Red Wings selected Officer Dani Woods and Roz Keith, founder and executive director of Stand with Trans, as honorees.

Learn more about Game Changers and the Pride Month honorees at NHL.com/RedWings/Equality and Tigers.com/Equality.

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Olympia Development of Michigan, Cinnaire Solutions and the Detroit Public Schools Community District recently partnered with Project Destined to offer a real estate internship program for underserved youth in the city of Detroit.

Project Destined was launched in Detroit in 2016 with a focus on increasing the number of diverse owners and leaders in the commercial real estate industry. The social impact platform, now active across 20 markets, partners with corporations, schools and non-profits to train students in the fundamentals of commercial real estate. Students learn through immersive sessions where they analyze live deals with experienced architects, contractors, bankers and developers.

Recently, 11^th and 12^th grade Detroit students were able to learn the basics of real estate, business, investment and management. Interns built skills through training and analyzing live deals within the community while working with leading executives and companies in the industry. For their participation in the program, interns each earned $12 per hour, and competed for team-based prizes of more than $1,000.

“We appreciate that the Project Destined partnership focused on innovative real estate and technology programs combined with a paid internship,” said Alycia Meriweather, DPSCD deputy superintendent of partnerships. “This program extends our high school Career Academies and provides real-world opportunities for our students to gain professional experience. We envision that students participating in the program will become future leaders who drive Detroit’s comeback story with their work.”

Cedric Bobo, founder of Project Destined, said that “Detroit will always be home for Project Destined. We are extremely proud to partner with the Detroit Public Schools, Olympia Development and Cinnaire to prepare this incredible group of students for a career in commercial real estate.”  Bobo further said that “the real estate industry provides unparalleled opportunities for students to build a great career while also impacting their community and their city. This program will ensure that these students are ready to take on that challenge.”

See excerpts from these immersive sessions, featuring students and Olympia Development Construction and Architecture executives in a live question & answer session, in the video below.

Lucius Vassar, corporate counsel and executive vice president for equitable engagement at Cinnaire, said that “we believe DPSCD students are talented, uniquely gifted and a critical component to creating a healthier community.”  Vasser further added that “Cinnaire’s mission is to help advance communities and that programs like these help ensure that tomorrow’s return on today’s investment will be immeasurable.”  

Rian Barnhill, Olympia Development vice president of government and community affairs, said that “the real estate industry is a key driver of Detroit’s economy, and we want young Detroiters to play a significant role in building it.”  She further added that “this program is designed to help bridge the equality gap in an industry that requires diverse involvement for sustainable, equitable development for all.”

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To mark the arrival of summer, The District Detroit announced today that Columbia Street will host “The District Detroit Art Walks,” Presented by Pepsi. The N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art — home to many of the city’s arts and cultural institutions — will curate this series of free events to be held on select Friday evenings throughout the summer and into the fall.

The District Detroit Art Walks will take place from 5-9 p.m. on July 9, August 6, August 27, Sept. 10 and Oct. 1. Admittance is free for guests of all ages, and $5 parking at the Fox Theatre Garage (50 West Montcalm Street) can be reserved in advance at DistrictDetroit.com. Jack Daniel’s, Founders Brewing Co. and Van Gogh Vodka will serve as supporting sponsors.

The District Detroit is also proud to partner with the Detroit Public Schools Community District to feature the amazing work of students enrolled in the Fine and Performing Arts program. Guests may view the students’ artistry along Montcalm Street near the pedestrian exit of the Fox Theatre Garage, as well as in front of the Fox Theatre on Woodward Avenue.

Visitors will have the unique opportunity to stroll along Columbia Street — located between the iconic Fox Theatre and the new Little Caesars Global Resource Center — while enjoying the artistic works of dozens of local artists at each event. Artwork will also be available for purchase. Deejays will entertain guests, and Frita Batidos Detroit will open for all five events, serving its brand of Cuban-inspired street food, as it prepares to fully reopen early this fall.  Alcoholic beverages will also be sold to attendees 21 years and over.

“We’re excited to welcome guests for The District Detroit Art Walks, and to partner with some incredible local artists,” Emily Neenan, chief marketing officer for the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers and The District Detroit, said. “The creativity and spirit that makes Detroit uniquely great will be on display, and we’re looking forward to providing a special place for Detroiters and Michiganders to gather on some beautiful summer and fall evenings.”

For more information, including further details on the participating artists, follow @DistrictDetroit on Twitter and Instagram, TheDistrictDetroit on Facebook, or visit DistrictDetroit.com.

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Roz Keith is the founder and executive director of Stand with Trans, an organization dedicated to providing transgender youth and their families with the resources, support and community that they so desperately need and deserve. Because of the incredible work Roz has done within the LGBTQ+ community, she is being celebrated by the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings as the second Pride Month Game Changers honoree.

Roz founded Stand with Trans after her child, then 13 years old, told Roz that they were transgender. It became clear, Roz said, that there was a lot that needed to be done regarding support and resources available to transgender youth and their families.

“When we made the decision as a family to start telling our story publicly, other families started coming out of the woodwork,” Roz said. “Other parents were saying: ‘I can relate to what you’re going through’ and ‘your son reminds me of my son.’ There was just this this outpouring of people who were in the same boat that we were in.”

“Often, the most impactful organizations begin similar to that of Roz and her family — turning a personal moment into a movement that ignites positive change,” Kevin Brown, Red Wings and Tigers director of community impact, said. “Stand with Trans is helping fill a need in our community by providing tools and connectivity that create an environment where transgender youth feel supported.”

Previously, the Red Wings and Comerica Bank have celebrated Game Changers for Black History Month and Women’s Appreciation Month. Now, the Tigers have joined the Red Wings and Comerica Bank to celebrate Pride Month and share stories across their platforms of Game Changers throughout Detroit. Those recognized provide access, opportunity and year-round support to young people in our community who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.

Last week, the Tigers and Red Wings celebrated Officer Dani Woods as Pride Month Game Changers Honoree.

Learn more about Game Changers and the Pride Month honorees at NHL.com/RedWings/Equality and Tigers.com/Equality.

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Detroit’s historic Fox Office Building, consistently ranked among the best in the world, is a crown jewel of the city’s arts and entertainment heritage. Mike and Marian Ilitch purchased the Fox Office Building in 1987 and restored the theater to its original splendor in ‘88, making it once again a destination for Detroiters and visitors worldwide. Now three decades strong, Olympia Development of Michigan continues its stewardship of the historic building by hiring another family company headquartered in Detroit, Grunwell-Cashero, to help clean and restore the ornate terra cotta that gives the building’s exterior its unique presence.

Founded in 1953 by masonry specialist Fidell Cashero, Grunwell-Cashero has been serving the needs of the construction industry for more than 65 years with satellite offices in Cleveland and Toledo. Fidell was a master in masonry restoration, using proper materials and specialized techniques to restore buildings to their former glory.

“Grandpa used to say, ‘When we leave the building, it looks like we weren’t there,’” Jelane Cashero Raycraft, Grunwell-Cashero vice president and Fidell’s granddaughter, said. “His motto was to leave things in kind. He was a pioneer in that effort.”

Today, Grunwell-Cashero and their team of expert artisans are helping clean and restore the terra cotta to keep the integrity of the building’s façade to that of its original specifications. Learn more about Grunwell-Cashero and their specialized trade in the video below.

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Little Caesars, the Detroit-based global pizza chain, is celebrating its hometown’s signature square pizza style and sharing it with the nation at a discounted price in honor of the inaugural National Detroit-Style Pizza Day on June 23. For that day only, Little Caesars DEEP!DEEP! Dish will be available online for just $6 plus applicable tax with the promo code DetroitDeepDish at participating stores nationwide.

“Detroit-style deep dish pizza is one of the most unique and delicious pizza styles,” Jeff Klein, chief marketing officer for Little Caesars, said. “Little Caesars became the first national pizza chain to offer Detroit-style deep dish pizza in 2013. Today, we want to remind the country about the distinctive and delectable qualities of our hometown pizza style and give everyone a chance to try it at a great value.”

Little Caesars DEEP!DEEP! Dish is a large eight-corner pizza with a crispy-on-the-bottom, soft-and-chewy-on-the-inside crust, crunchy corners and caramelized cheese edges, topped with pepperoni and cheese.

National Detroit-Style Pizza Day was originally created by Detroit independent chain Buddy’s Pizza, which is credited with first serving square-shaped pizza in 1946 at its original location on the city’s east side. Little Caesars, the only national pizza chain headquartered in the city of Detroit, joins the tribute to recognize the iconic pizza style on this date.

Customers can order ahead and pre-pay via the Little Caesars app or website, then conveniently collect the order using the Pizza Portal® pickup or have it delivered.

Learn more and order online at LittleCaesars.com.

Single-game tickets, starting at just $10, available at tigers.com/tickets Friday at 10 a.m.

Upcoming fan giveaway items, promotions and special events announced, including 4^th of July Celebration, Pink Out the Park, Negro Leagues Weekend, Fiesta Tigres and much more

Tigers to open second half of season with “Detroit’s Biggest Summer Baseball Bash” on Saturday, July 17

Tickets for the remainder of the Detroit Tigers 2021 season, starting at just $10, will be available for purchase at tigers.com/tickets beginning this Friday, June 18, at 10 a.m. With Comerica Park now open to full capacity, the club revealed an exciting lineup of fan giveaways, promotions and special events for the rest of the regular season.

As summer quickly approaches, the Tigers will host upcoming marquee series against the Houston Astros (June 24-27), Boston Red Sox (August 3-5), Los Angeles Angels (August 17-19), Toronto Blue Jays (August 27-29), Milwaukee Brewers (Sept. 14-15) and much more. Detroit will also host a combined 16 games against American League Central foes in the months of June, July, August and September.

“It’s been incredible having more fans back at Comerica Park, and we couldn’t be more excited about this summer,” Chris Granger, Group President, Sports & Entertainment, Ilitch Holdings, Inc., said. “From Sunday Kids Days to Negro League Weekend to recognizing the amazing bravery and sacrifice of the frontline and essential workers of our city and state, there’s something for everyone. We can’t wait to celebrate the rest of the season with the best fans in baseball.”

SEASON-LONG TICKET PACKAGES & GROUP TICKETS

Along with individual game tickets, several season-long ticket packages are available for Tigers fans.

• The Vizzy Double Play Deal features a pair of tickets and two Vizzy’s for just $49.
• The Leinie Summer Party Pack is available for every Friday and Saturday home game and includes a game ticket and a Leinenkugel Beer.
• The Summer Family Value Deal features four tickets, four hot dogs, four bags of chips and four Pepsi’s starting at just $69.

For more information on these special packages, visit tigers.com/value. The Tigers are also accepting deposits for Group Tickets. Visit tigers.com/groups for more information.

DETROIT’S BIGGEST SUMMER BASEBALL BASH – JULY 17

With pandemic attendance restrictions in place at the start of the 2021 season, Tigers fans were unable to gather and celebrate Opening Day for the second straight season. On Saturday, July 17 against the Minnesota Twins, the Tigers will roar into the second half of the season by hosting “Detroit’s Biggest Summer Baseball Bash” inside Comerica Park. The event will feature special appearances by popular Tigers alumni, live music, postgame entertainment and more. Fans are encouraged to follow @Tigers on social media in the coming days for more information.

2021 FAN GIVEAWAY ITEMS

Exciting giveaways items that Tigers fans have come to enjoy at Comerica Park are set to return next weekend, with a Niko Goodrum Bobblehead for the first 10,000 guests in attendance on Friday, June 25 against the Astros.

The 2021 giveaway lineup:

• Friday, June 25 vs. Houston Astros (7:10 p.m.): Niko Goodrum Bobblehead, courtesy of Comerica Bank (first 10,000 fans)
• Saturday, June 26 vs. Houston Astros (4:10 p.m.): Detroit Tigers Tote Bag, presented by MLB Network (first 10,000 fans)
• Sunday, June 27 vs. Houston Astros (1:10 p.m.): Detroit Tigers Tote Bag, presented by MLB Network (first 10,000 fans)
• Friday, July 2 vs. Chicago White Sox (7:10 p.m.): Patriotic Silicone Pint Cup, courtesy of Miller Lite (first 5,000 fans, age 21 and over)
• Saturday, July 3 vs. Chicago White Sox (4:10 p.m.): Patriotic Silicone Pint Cup, courtesy of Miller Lite (first 5,000 fans, age 21 and over)
• Friday, July 16 vs. Minnesota Twins (7:10 p.m.): Chip and Dip Bowl, presented by Frito Lay (first 10,000 fans)
• Sunday, July 18 vs. Minnesota Twins (1:10 p.m.): Kids Hooded Towel, presented by Aquafina (all kids ages 14 and under)
• Saturday, July 31 vs. Baltimore Orioles (6:10 p.m.): Detroit Stars Fedora Hat, presented by Comerica Bank (first 10,000 fans)
• Saturday, August 14 vs. Cleveland Indians (6:10 p.m.): Fiesta Tigres Jersey, courtesy of Miller Lite (first 10,000 fans, age 21 and older)
• Friday, August 27 vs. Toronto Blue Jays (7:10 p.m.): Detroit Tigers Floppy Hat, courtesy of National Coney Island (first 10,000 fans)
• Friday, September 10 vs. Tampa Bay Rays (7:10 p.m.): “Detroit Roots” Hoodie, courtesy of Bally Sports Detroit (first 10,000 fans)
• Saturday, September 25 vs. Kansas City Royals (6:10 p.m.): Detroit Tigers Fleece Blanket, courtesy of DTE Energy (first 10,000 fans)

SIGNATURE EVENTS

The Tigers are once again teaming up with our great partners from the corporate community to present a summer of special events.

Next Tuesday, June 22 is Prostate Cancer Awareness Night at Comerica Park, presented by the Karmanos Cancer Institute. Fans purchasing the special ticket package for the 7:10 p.m. game against the St. Louis Cardinals will receive a Prostate Cancer Awareness Night T-Shirt and make a donation to the Karmanos Cancer Institute. The ticket package is available at tigers.com/awareness. Single-game ticket purchasers are also able to make donations in $5 increments to the Karmanos Cancer Institute by visiting tigers.com.

The Tigers will celebrate our nation’s independence the weekend of July 4^th, teaming up with Miller Lite to host a three-day celebration at Comerica Park. Live music will be performed by bands and deejays on the concourse, and a barbeque will be held on the Pepsi Porch. Fans are encouraged to stay in their seats after the final out against the Chicago White Sox on Friday, July 2 to watch a special Independence Day Fireworks show.

The annual “Pink Out the Park” Night, presented by the Karmanos Cancer Institute, will be held on Wednesday, July 21 versus the Texas Rangers (7:10 p.m.). Fans can purchase a special ticket package that includes a game ticket, a “Pink Out the Park” T-Shirt and a $5 donation to the Karmanos Cancer Institute. The ticket package is available at tigers.com/pink, and the first 10,000 fans in attendance at Comerica Park will receive a pink Detroit Tigers Jersey, courtesy of Karmanos Cancer Institute.

The 18^th annual Negro Leagues Weekend, presented by Comerica Bank, will be held July 30-Aug. 1. Each year, the Tigers pay tribute to the contributions of the Negro Leagues and African Americans to the game of baseball during a weekend homestand. The first 10,000 fans on Saturday, July 31 against the Baltimore Orioles (6:10 p.m.) will receive a Detroit Stars Fedora, courtesy of Comerica Bank.

The popular Fiesta Tigres celebration, presented by Miller Lite, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 14, for a 6:10 p.m. first pitch against the Cleveland Indians. The Tigers will celebrate the contributions of Latinos to the game of baseball with a special pregame on-field ceremony, along with live bands and deejays representing music from Latin America and the Caribbean performing on the Comerica Park concourse. The first 10,000 fans, age 21 and older, will receive a Fiesta Tigres Jersey, courtesy of Miller Lite.

On Wednesday, Sept. 1 with the Oakland Athletics in town, the Tigers will host Pediatric Cancer Awareness Day in partnership with the Karmanos Cancer Institute. The event will build awareness for Pediatric Cancer, and salute several children impacted by the disease in a pregame ceremony.

As a thank you to the best fans in baseball, Fan Appreciation Weekend, presented by Chevrolet, will kick off on Friday, Sept. 24 against the Kansas City Royals. Select fans will win prizes over the three-day series which wraps up the Tigers regular season at Comerica Park.

THANK YOU TUESDAYS

Every Tuesday at Comerica Park is “Thank You Tuesday,” celebrating the dedication and sacrifice of frontline and essential workers throughout Detroit, our region and state. For every Tuesday home game, many of these incredible heroes will be invited to the ballpark, where their commitment to saving lives and helping Michigan recover from the COVID-19 pandemic will be recognized.

SUNDAY KIDS DAYS & DETROIT TIGERS KIDS CLUB

Sunday Kids Days, presented by Chevrolet, have also returned to Comerica Park. Kids 14 years of age and younger can enjoy select pregame activities, and weather permitting, are invited to run the bases following the game.

Detroit Tigers Kids Club memberships for children 14 and under are also available for as little as $16. Kids Club membership kits include a Tigers backpack, lightweight hoodie, compression sleeve and face mask. Members receive invitations to exclusive Kids Club Member Only events, the chance to skip the line for running the bases on Sunday Kids Days, and much more. To sign up, or for more information, visit tigers.com/kidsclub.

For over 60 years, Little Caesars has brought its customers the best in quality, fresh products. So, it’s only natural that this commitment to quality would carry over to the company headquarters where, on the terrace in downtown Detroit, colleagues are growing pizza ingredients including wheat, tomato, onion, garlic, green pepper, basil, oregano, olives – and yes, even pineapple!

Tour this one-of-a-kind urban “pizza” garden in the video below.

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As the Detroit Police Department’s first LGBTQ+ Liaison, Dani Woods strives to create a better relationship between the department and the LGBTQ+ community. For her tireless work as an advocate, Woods is being celebrated by the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings as the first Pride Month Game Changers honoree.

In her role as LGBTQ+ Liaison, Woods trains her fellow officers on proper responses to LGBTQ+ issues. She created the role after a male counterpart used discriminatory language when responding to a domestic disturbance between two females. After speaking to the officer privately about how he could’ve handled the situation better, she began investigating ways to incorporate her ideas and experiences into officer training sessions.

“I made myself more visible and started attending way more community events and finding out what the community wanted from the police department,” Woods said. “It’s paramount because I didn’t have that as a kid. I didn’t have an officer that was courageously out and proud. I want to be that for them. And if their dream is becoming a law enforcement officer, or anything for that matter, visibility is important.”

Kevin Brown, Tigers and Red Wings director of community impact, said Woods is the definition of a Game Changer as someone who’s making a difference in the community daily.

“As the Detroit Police Department’s first LGBTQ+ Liaison, corporal Woods has provided Detroit with unparalleled connectivity to ensure LTBTQ+ awareness, sensitivity and competency continues to be at the forefront of interactions between local law enforcement and the community,” Brown said.

Previously, the Red Wings and Comerica Bank have celebrated Game Changers for Black History Month and Women’s Appreciation Month. Now, the Tigers and Red Wings have joined to celebrate Pride Month and share stories across their platforms of Game Changers throughout Detroit. Those recognized provide access, opportunity and year-round support to young people in our community who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.

Learn more about Game Changers and the Pride Month honorees at NHL.com/RedWings.