Speaker Series This Week - Sign Ups Closed

The Model D Speaker Series travels to the Russell Industrial Center, where the main industry is, basically, whatever you want it to be.

We are sorry but the event is full.

Our topic this month is how Detroit can support and grow creative businesses, bring more creative people together and thereby bring about an economic overhaul.

Speakers are:

Eric Novack, head of commercial real estate and advertising for the Boydel Development Group, which owns the Russell Industrial Center. He will discuss how they've seen 100 percent growth in the past two years and have become an economic force in the city. Read the Model D story for an idea of what they do.

Shawn Santo, owner of the Pure Detroit and Vera Jane stores, plus the Rowland and Stella cafes. Pure is celebrating 10 years of Detroit coolness this year.

We'll also hear from folks involved in the Creative Corridor project for Detroit Renaissance, and Peter Kageyama will give a brief presentation on the upcoming Creative Cities Summit 2.0, to be held here in the D.

The event is sponsored by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and Model D, and is graciously being hosted by the Boydell Group.

The event is full, and sign ups are closed.

For those who have RSVP-ed, sign in starts at 5 p.m., the hour-long program will start at 5:30, followed by networking, refreshments and tours of the Russell Industrial Center.

Directions: The complex is at 1600 Clay Street in Detroit, just east of I-75, north of East Grand Boulevard. Enter off of Clay and park in the lot in the center of the complex. For a map, go here. Enter the Building One door marked 1604 Clay (with a blue person sculpture -- pictured above -- outside of it), and take the elevator to the fifth floor. Follow the signs to the theater.