BasBlue

The holiday season is here, a time of joy, family, and giving. We’re thrilled to partner with Motions on a special mission to make this holiday season brighter for 100 families across Southeast Michigan. BasBlue is taking care of 50 families while Motions takes care of the other half. Together, we have the power to ensure that these families can enjoy a memorable Thanksgiving with loved ones around a full table. There are several ways you can help make this vision a reality: Donate Food: From November 18th to 22nd, bring your food donations to the BasBlue Main House front desk. Every contribution, big or small, helps create a beautiful, hearty meal for a family that needs it. You can even Instacart meals to the house! Pack Boxes: On November 26th, we’ll gather to pack the donated food into boxes filled with care and kindness. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow members and share the spirit of giving as we prepare these meals. Distribute Meals: Be a part of the delivery team on November 27th as we personally hand out these meal boxes to families. The joy and gratitude you’ll see on their faces is a reminder of how impactful a simple gesture can be. This project is more than just giving food; it’s about showing compassion and spreading hope. It’s a chance for us to come together, lift each other up, and remind those in need that they are not alone. We’d love for you to join us in bringing joy to others and experiencing the true meaning of the holiday season! Register?at the link?below to volunteer by yourself,?if your company would like to volunteer as a group email?[email protected]. https://lnkd.in/gdwbUazb

Last evening, BasBlue was honored to host an engaging installment of our Fireside Chat Series: Fearless Conversations with Women Who Lead, featuring Emmy award-winning journalist Christy McDonald and BasBlue’s first CEO, Ellen Gilchrist. This insightful event brought our vibrant community together to learn, connect, and be inspired for the future of BasBlue. Ellen shared intimate stories of her career trajectory, highlighting pivotal moments that shaped her leadership approach and her aspirations for BasBlue’s future. Christy’s thoughtful questions provided a deep dive into Ellen’s vision, revealing her plans for fostering a supportive and empowering environment within the organization and beyond. Their conversation touched on the importance of resilience, authenticity, and confidence. Attendees left with a renewed sense of inspiration, actionable insights, and a deeper connection to BasBlue’s mission. The evening wasn’t just about learning it was about celebrating leadership, community, and the fearless spirit that propels us all forward. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the warm and empowering atmosphere. Stay tuned for more inspiring sessions in our Fireside Chat Series!

Today, we honor our Veterans' courage, dedication, and sacrifices. Your unwavering commitment to serving our nation ensures the freedoms we cherish every day. We thank you for your bravery, your strength, and the selflessness you embody. You are the backbone of our nation's history and future. Your service will never be forgotten. To our members who are Veterans, we honor you, we appreciate you, and we are happy to uplift you. #HappyVeteransDay

We would like to formally introduce our Chef-In-Residence Fellowship. This program is the first of its kind - a 26-week fellowship.?The program invests in early-stage, food business owners from underrepresented communities that prioritize educational resources, nutrition education, health, wellness, collaborative economics, relationship building, professional development, mentorship, and so much more! The program is led by the wonderful Chef Ederique Goudia, founder of In the Business of Food and the co-creator of Taste the Diaspora Detroit. Chef E is passionate about her advocacy for child nutrition, food waste reduction, food security, equity in our food system, and mental health in hospitality. Her passion alongside our mission allows us to contribute to a healthy food system by removing barriers for growth. You may have tasted our Chef’s creations during our Annual Gala and our female founder's marketplace. As this fellowship continues we look forward to seeing how our chefs grow. ?? This program is generously sponsored by?Priority Health Foundation. Thank you for supporting our Chefs-In-Residence.

It's YOUR vote for OUR future. Your vote is your voice, your power, and your investment in the future we all share. BasBlue’s Voter Booth has been working hard to make the voting process accessible and stress-free. The booth was there to help people register, find their voting locations, review ballots, make their voter plan and create conversations. We were honored to have been invited to take our Voter Booth on the road, bringing resources directly to our community. Now, let’s turn out to the polls and make a difference! Your vote matters.

We attended the 2024 Annual Community Dinner for Global Ties Detroit. We were honored to receive the Pioneering Partner Award. This award celebrates our commitment to international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and empowerment! Our time with Global Ties Detroit has been nothing less than fruitful. We had the pleasure of hosting a fellow from Tanzania for four wonderful weeks. She is the owner of a co-working space and café. We immersed her in BasBlue’s operations, and she gained key insights into our business model and community-driven approach. In addition to this, BasBlue welcomed a delegation from Egypt for a roundtable discussion on women in entrepreneurship. This event fostered meaningful conversation as we shared challenges, inspiration, and opportunities for women in business globally. Global Ties Detroit is a powerful force for change, and we’re honored to be recognized as a partner in that journey. Shout out to our CEO Ellen Gilchrist and Director of Operations Tiara Tinnin for accepting this award. ??

The applications for BasBlue’s Zero-to-One Entrepreneurial Fellowship close in just a few days! This program is designed for early-stage entrepreneurs looking to build, launch, and grow their businesses—especially those who often face barriers to traditional support. To combat these barriers we have partnered with organizations like Ford Philanthropy, Huntington National Bank, New Economy Initiative, Ralph C Wilson Jr. Foundation, and Tom and Holly Gores. These organizations believe in and are dedicated to our mission of upliftment throughout our community. During the Zero-to-One Fellowship, fellows gain access to personalized coaching, dedicated mentorship, funding opportunities, and a supportive community to help bring their ideas to life or take them to the next level. Our Spring 2024 Zero-To-One fellows Angela Chi 迟安琪, Marquita R., Sarah Dalley, Samantha Barash, Renee Sorgi, Yvonne Montero, Jena Brooker, I'Sha Schultz-Spradlin, and Nikoji Smith are thriving. They have gone viral on social media, opened brick-and-mortars received funding, made invaluable connections, and gained the confidence they need to succeed in the entrepreneurial world. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain, so apply today at https://lnkd.in/gxFw9cj3

Last week’s “Pathways to Prosperity: Helping Non-Profits Establish Financial Security” was an inspiring afternoon of networking and learning. Moderated by?Margaret Trimer, Director of Strategic Partnership for?DeltaDentalTN undefined?with insights from our Board Member, Angelique Power, President & CEO of The Skillman Foundation, Andrew Stein, President & CEO of The Children's Foundation, and Lauren Fine Managing Director for Gries Financial Partners the event provided invaluable guidance on creating endowments, sustainable fundraising, and financial planning for long-term stability. Together with funders and financial experts, nonprofit leaders explored the essential frameworks needed to thrive in today’s landscape. Thank you to all who joined us in this impactful conversation!

Truth is—a significant gender gap remains among both investment decision-makers at venture capital firms and recipients of venture capital funding.? This is why the work we are doing alongside organizations like, BUILD Institute Michigan Black Business Alliance ProsperUs Detroit Michigan Women Forward is so important. Our Founders + Fund(Her)s Pitch Day is not your typical pitch competition! Beyond providing a platform for early-stage founders to gain exposure and access to capital, we offer valuable support and guidance. In advance of pitching to the investor panel, each founder will also receive a one-on-one coaching session from a startup coach, including feedback on her deck and presentation style. Past participants like, Tamika Mayes Jordan Yagiela Sarah Christina Marshall Jasmit Kaur Kate Milligan Andrea Davis, RMCP Bri Muhammad, have gone on to secure funding, expand their networks, and elevate their businesses to new heights. Regardless of the industry, as long as the for-profit business is non-binary/female-founded or co-founded and focused on making a social impact - this is for you! Applications close in just two days!?Apply here https://lnkd.in/gf7QMHas

Truth is—a significant gender gap remains among both investment decision-makers at venture capital firms and recipients of venture capital funding.? This is why the work we are doing alongside organizations like, BUILD Institute Michigan Black Business Alliance ProsperUs Detroit Michigan Women Forward is so important. Our Founders + Fund(Her)s Pitch Day is not your typical pitch competition! Beyond providing a platform for early-stage founders to gain exposure and access to capital, we offer valuable support and guidance. In advance of pitching to the investor panel, each founder will also receive a one-on-one coaching session from a startup coach, including feedback on her deck and presentation style. Past participants like, Tamika Mayes Jordan Yagiela Sarah Christina Marshall Jasmit Kaur Kate Milligan Andrea Davis, RMCP Bri Muhammad, have gone on to secure funding, expand their networks, and elevate their businesses to new heights. Regardless of the industry, as long as the for-profit business is non-binary/female-founded or co-founded and focused on making a social impact - this is for you! Applications close in just two days!?Apply here https://lnkd.in/gf7QMHas