Detroit City Wire

On June 20, Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Sandy K. Baruah took over the WJR 760 AM radio waves as guest host of Focus, interviewing several prominent business and government leaders, including Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI 9), Michigan Central’s Josh Sirefman, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, The Glengariff Group’s Richard Czuba, and Gallup Center on Black Voices’ Camille Lloyd.

Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI 9) emphasized the importance of bipartisanship in polarizing times. "If you get the cameras out of the way, if you get the microphones out of the way, if you get the media out of the way, it’s a very different scene," she said. McClain pointed out that bipartisan issues often do not receive adequate attention.

Josh Sirefman, Chief Executive Officer of Michigan Central, discussed innovations at Newlab and Michigan Central. "[Michigan Central] is a real community of innovation, of exploration," he stated. Sirefman's vision is for Michigan Central to be an anchor that draws Detroiters and visitors to collaborate and engage in innovation.

Richard Czuba, Founder of The Glengariff Group, addressed concerns about misinformation. “Only two-thirds of Michigan voters were able to agree that democracy is the best form of government for Michigan…Democracy is a fragile thing…unless you nurture it, unless you protect it, it’s in danger,” he remarked.

Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State for Michigan, spoke about election safety. "A strong economy requires a strong democracy," she said. Benson highlighted the role of Michigan Business United for Elections in ensuring citizens statewide know how to vote and have confidence in the election process.

Camille Lloyd from Gallup Center on Black Voices discussed insights from the Detroit Resident Voices Survey. She described the center as a “listening machine” aimed at understanding Black Americans' perceptions regarding various societal aspects since July 2020. According to Lloyd, 52% of those surveyed consider their lives thriving.

Glenn Stevens Jr., Executive Director of MichAuto and Vice President of Automotive and Mobility Initiatives at Detroit Regional Chamber, focused on attracting talent during the EV transition. “When it comes to developing products, it’s going to be done where the talent is,” he said. Stevens emphasized the need for Michigan to grow its software talent pool to attract companies.

Colin Bird, Consul General of Canada in Detroit, discussed the impact of EVs on US/Canada trade and highlighted infrastructure developments like the Gordie Howe International Bridge. “[Gordie Howe International Bridge] is going to be a gamechanger…It really tells the rest of the world that we are open for business here,” Bird commented.

Sarah Cook from Automotive Hall of Fame spoke about this year’s inductees into the hall. On John James Sr., Cook said: “He opened up commercial trucking to minorities and is just a relentless advocate…a fantastic leader for Detroit and beyond.”