Open Road at Ross Delivers Impact for Social Entrepreneurs
Three teams of Michigan Ross MBAs spent the month of May helping social entrepreneurs in Detroit and southeast Michigan with the business challenges they face. Working remotely this year, the intrepid “travelers” of Open Road at Ross were focused on addressing challenges and opportunities for Coton Clothiers, Detroit is the New Black, and Shelby + Coffee Down Under in Detroit, MI. Business+Impact and Zell Lurie Institute are proud to partner on this program, funded by Ford Motor Company.
+Impact Studio Welcomes 6 Student-Led Ventures for Summer Program
Through the generosity of Applebaum Family Philanthropy, this summer Applebaum Impact Design Fellows and Interns are able to collaborate in the +Impact Studio’s Founders Program to help impactful prototypes take shape in the world. Held for 13 weeks over the summer, the Founders Program brings impact-driven student innovators together to nurture and launch “ideas to change the world.” Six student founders have been matched with Applebaum Impact Design Fellows to apply business knowledge, design tools, and research to act on their passions. They’ll work on ideas they’ve developed independently or those designed in the +Impact Studio course, BA670. Additionally, the Aspen Institute recently checked in with the +Impact Studio in an article called “Breaking Boundaries to Build Back Better.” Read more about what’s happening this summer in the link below.
2021 Impact Internships Cover the Region, the World
This year, Business+Impact is financially supporting the summer impact experiences of 55 University of Michigan students, more than ever before.
Each summer, Business+Impact awards competitive grants for summer internships to MBAs and BBAs in the Ross School of Business as well as MPP students in the Ford School of Public Policy. MBA funding comes from the Give-A-Day Fund, a student-led MBA pay-it-forward fund, and from General Motors. Additionally, the newly established Gordon Impact Entrepreneurship Fund provides support for BBA or MBA student internships with ventures or funders seeking to create societal impact.
Michigan Team Interviews Paul Polman on Being a Force for Good through Business
As featured in the Harvard Business Review Ascend article, “How to Be a Purpose-Driven Leader in the Capitalist World: Supplement your business school education”, this in-depth book, featuring a series of interviews with Paul Polman, offers a wealth of insights for the leaders of today and tomorrow. Titled “For Whom We Play the Game: Advice to the Next Generation of Business Leaders from Paul Polman,” the book spans three conversations all centered around staying true to your values while succeeding in business. The Michigan Ross interview team included MBA/MS students Celia Bravard and John Pontillo and Holcim Professor of Sustainable Enterprise Dr. Andrew Hoffman.
Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project +Impact Studio for Local Business Begins Summer Work
In other +Impact Studio programming news, 31 undergraduate interns are working with the U-M Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project +Impact Studio for Local Business this summer. The interns come from STAMPS, the School of Information, the Ford School, and, with generous support from Applebaum Family Philanthropy, from Michigan Ross. Last year the program began, with interns focused on creating tools for ecosystem-level problems in Detroit small businesses. This year, they are working directly with small business owners to solve the unique issues that affect multiple companies. Student Michael Willard (BBA/LSA) wrote a reflection on the experience so far.
Impact News & Notes
A Guilty Verdict, a Sigh of Relief featuring Charles H.F. Davis III
Philanthropist Wally Prechter challenges donors to invest in Detroit youth and educators
Anti-racism faculty hiring moves forward
People of color more exposed than whites to air pollution – featuring Paul Mohai
Q&A: Should CEO’s address social issues or stick to selling sneakers? – featuring Jerry Davis
A Simple Approach to Ending Extreme Poverty – featuring Luke Schaefer
How Arizona’s attorney general is weaponizing climate fears to keep out immigrants – featuring Alexandra Minna Stern
Reduced fish abundance possible due to climate change warming deep waters in Lake Michigan – featuring Gregory Dick
U-M chronicles location, nature of anti-Asian incidents
New Catalyst Grants Focus on Environment, Equity
U-M Poverty Solutions senior research associate testifies at U.S. House hearing on student homelessness
100 years ago, this area was known as Black Wall Street. Then it came to a heartbreaking end – featuring Scott Ellsworth
You should be suspicious of benevolent big business – featuring Jerry Davis
Breaking Boundaries to Build Back Better
To Stop Food Waste, We Need to Confront Our Food Anxiety – featuring Kate Astashkina
Using CO2 in products to help reduce the climate change contribution of the greenhouse gas – featuring Volker Sick
Researchers explore workplace impact of white gaze in Gender, Work, & Organization paper
Adam Grant examines anti-racism on WorkLife podcast
Committee recommends Yost name for removal; feedback sought
How racially targeted mass shootings can alter community politics – featuring Kiela Crabtree
Faculty Q&A: Trina Shanks on how to improve family well-being in Detroit
Five honored with Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service Awards
U-M launches Planet Blue Global Impact websites
Partnership aims to help drive equity in clean energy industry
From Michigan to Ghana: Designing for Generative Justice
University to establish new Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention
The Last Word: Stephanie Sanders on diversity, equity, and inclusion
Panelists highlight U-M’s anti-racism efforts, encourage more
A Searchable Platform for All Things Impact at Ross and Across Campus
The Business+Impact Gateway provides you with a single location for all things impact. Here you’ll find all of the activities, people and key partners working to use their learning to make a real impact in the world.
At the University:
SCHOOL OF INFORMATION
Get Volunteer Support for Your Team
Have an information-based project you’re having trouble prioritizing? Your organization can get the help you need from the University of Michigan School of Information (UMSI). Organizations and units on the U-M campus are invited to host a student team who will provide high impact deliverables on your project. Interested? Don’t wait! The submission deadline is today (Tuesday, June 22nd)
Apply here
RACKHAM GRADUATE SCHOOL
Inclusive Leadership
Tues, June 29 @ 10-11:30 am ET
Online
There is a lot of talk about “inclusive leadership,” but many are left asking: What is it? Why is it important? How can I do it? Participants will be able to reflect on and share their own experiences and times that they have witnessed others modeling inclusive leadership. This workshop is designed for master’s students, doctoral students, and postdoctoral fellows. For faculty and staff, please contact RackhamEvents@umich.edu to see if we can accommodate your attendance.
Register here
PROBLEM SOLVING INITIATIVE
Slavery, Its Legacies, and the Built Environment
The Law School will be offering a new Problem Solving Initiative course open to all U-M graduate and professional students in the Fall. Student teams will focus on creating a framework for the National Slavery Monument in Washington, D.C. The Instructors will be Luis deBaca (Law), and Phillip Bernstein (Architecture), and the 3 credit course will be offered Wednesdays from 3:15-6:30 PM
Enroll here
GINSBERG CENTER
Entering, Engaging, and Exiting Communities Respectfully
Thurs, July 22 @ 11 am – 12:30 pm ET
Online
This interactive virtual workshop introduces principles and practices for thoughtfully engaging with communities, including motivations, impact of social identities, and strategies for engaging in reciprocal, ethical, and respectful ways
Register here
In the Impact Community:
A Conversation with J.B. MacKinnon
The planet says we consume too much: in America, we burn the earth’s resources at a rate five times faster than it can regenerate. And despite efforts to “green” our consumption—by recycling, increasing energy efficiency, or using solar power—we have yet to see a decline in global carbon emissions. Addressing this paradox head-on, acclaimed journalist J. B. MacKinnon asks Ross professor Andy Hoffman What would really happen if we simply stopped shopping? Watch the exclusive recording of this recent Ross event to learn more.
Event Recording
The Engaged Scholar: The risks, rewards and responsibilities of bringing your research to the public
Tues, June 22, @ 5:15-6-15 pm ET
Online
Join The Conversation on June 22 for an important conversation with Andrew J. Hoffman on his latest book, The Engaged Scholar: Expanding The Impact of Academic Research in Today’s World, moderated by Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University.
Register Here
Apply to Be Matched with a Skilled Volunteer from GM
Application due:
Wed, June 30, @ 11:59 pm ET
Check out Michigan Community Resources’ Skill-Based Volunteer partnership with General Motors. The program connects SE Michigan nonprofits with volunteers from the GM team. These volunteers will leverage their specialized skills and talents to tackle an internal project. Does your organization have a IT, finance, marketing or other project that requires professional-level experience? Get the help you need by applying before the June 30th deadline
Apply Here
Morgridge Acceleration Program Fellowship
Apply by Wed, July 28 @ 11:59 pm MT
The Morgridge Acceleration Program (MAP) Fellowship matches nonprofit executives, called MAP Mentors, with emerging leaders, called MAP Fellows, looking to create positive impact while developing professional skill sets and networks. Twelve leading nonprofit executives representing different industries have issued unique challenges designed to engage MAP Fellows in the intense and rewarding experience of change-making. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are highly encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible.
More info and Application
All images in this newsletter are Pre-COVID.
