Michigan Workforce Summit: Advancing Immigrant & Refugee Inclusion

Michigan’s drive and innovation are unparalleled. Yet across the state, open jobs outnumber available workers, limiting growth and opportunity. 

It’s time to champion hidden talent pools. Michigan’s 400,000 working-age immigrants and refugees are the place to start.

Join a solutions-focused gathering to connect Michigan employers, community colleges, and workforce partners in growing a network that recruits and retains, engages and empowers workers from immigrant backgrounds.

This free event, hosted by The Michigan Global Talent Initiative, Office of Global Michigan, and EnGen, promises valuable connections, renewed relationships, and actionable insights to build a more inclusive, fully-staffed, and future-ready Michigan workforce:

• Meet like-minded local employers, HR professionals, community colleges and workforce leaders
• Participate in developing strategies for inclusive recruitment and upskilling that connect with workers from immigrant backgrounds 
• Learn how Michigan employers, community colleges, and learners can access career-aligned English upskilling – a trailblazing approach to contextualized ESL offered free-of-charge thanks to a partnership with The Michigan Global Talent Initiative  

SPEAKERS: 

• Amy Cheadle - Digital Literacy and Learning Program Coordinator, Office of Global Michigan
• Sameh Elhady - CDF-CBSP/New Americans' Senior liaison, SEMCA (Southeast Michigan Community Alliance)
• Ken James - Chief Diversity Officer, Muskegon Community College

SCHEDULE:

• 2:00 - 3:00 PM: Check in, networking, product demos
• 3:00 - 3:20 PM: Welcome - Setting the Stage in Michigan
• 3:20 - 4:00 PM: Panel Discussion and Questions - Attracting and retaining immigrant and refugee talent with an inclusive workforce strategy
• 4:00 - 4:30 PM: Breakout groups - Building collaboration and an ecosystem approach to connect the dots
• 4:30 - 5:00 PM: General session - Discoveries and action items
• 5:00 - 6:00 PM: Hosted happy hour

PARKING:

Parking can be found a short three-minute walk away at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) at 5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202. It's a lighted, secured parking lot located behind the DIA on John R St., south of Kirby St. and north of Warren Ave. The daily parking rate is $7. Cash and credit cards are accepted.

Metered street parking operated by the City of Detroit is available and limited to a maximum stay of two hours. To avoid leaving earlier than desired, it's recommended to download the Park Detroit app to extend your stay remotely. The DIA's parking zone is 202.

RIDE THE Q-LINE:

Take the Q-Line along the Woodward Corridor which runs from Grand Boulevard station to the Congress Street Station. Stop at the Ferry Street station to get to the DIA. Tickets are available online and via app downloadable for an Android or iPhone. See the full list of prices for tickets on their website: https://qlinedetroit.com/

TAKE THE BUS:

053 Bus

The 4-Woodward (or the 004) bus stops in front of the DIA, runs on Woodward Avenue from the Rosa Parks Transit Center at Woodward and Larned and the State Fair Transfer Hub, south of Eight Mile Road. Transfers to the 4-Woodward are available at Woodward and Larned downtown and the State Fair Transfer Hub.

Bus fares are $1.50 for adults, 75¢ for students, and 50¢ for seniors and the disabled. Exact fare or passes are accepted. More information on Detroit Public Transportation is available here: https://detroitmi.gov/how-do-i/find-information/transportation-fares(opens in a new tab)

For more transportation options, including the best way to arrive by bike, go to https://dia.org/visit/parking