Meet Our
Honorary Chair
Vivian Pickard
President & CEO, The Pickard Group
President, General Motors Foundation (retired)
Vivian Pickard, an accomplished Fortune 500 Executive with expertise in business development, strategic planning, corporate relations, finance, marketing, public policy, health care and philanthropy. As President & CEO of the Pickard Group, Vivian advises Fortunate 500 companies, private companies, non-profits and chamber of commerce. She was appointed by Governor Whitmer to serve on the Women’s Commission for the State of Michigan and was appointed by Governor Snyder to serve on the Medical Marijuana Board for the State of Michigan (ended 2019). Vivian’s exemplary leadership led to multiple awards for GM and outstanding leadership awards for herself. Her ability to combine her corporate and community relations expertise has created tremendous success. A long-term General Motors’ employee, Vivian held multiple leadership roles within the company, including management positions within Finance, Health Care, Human Resources, and Public Policy. Vivian has served on the Board of Directors for Fifth Third Bank – Eastern Michigan since 2010. Additionally, her current board responsibilities include the Henry Ford Health System Foundation, Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Black Women’s Agenda. Vivian earned a Masters of Business Administration, Personnel Management from Central Michigan University, and a Bachelor’s of Science, Human Services Administration from Ferris State University. She received an honorary doctorate from Ferris State University in 2016 and was named Alumni of the Year in 2015. She is a lifetime member of the NAACP, the National Council of Negro Women, the National Black MBA Association, and is a member of the Executive Leadership Council and The Links, Inc.
Honorees
Nicole
Sherard-Freeman
Chief Operating Officer, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
Nicole Sherard-Freeman is chief operating officer at Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. She oversees donor services, finance, grantmaking services, IT, program teams, and the New Economy Initiative (NEI). Sherard-Freeman has more than 25 years of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and government entities. She has served as an expert witness for the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee and recently testified before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension (HELP) Committee. Previously, she led the City of Detroit’s economic development and workforce development ecosystem, which produced industrial land readiness and large-scale employment and small and midsize business strategies that help enable thriving communities and grow Detroit’s middle class. Born and raised in Detroit, Sherard-Freeman is a proud graduate of the Detroit Public School system. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and has completed graduate studies in Organizational Management and Development at Fielding Graduate University. She was a lead researcher and co-author of Detroit’s Untapped Talent: Partnerships and Pathways to Success, and Detroit’s Untapped Talent: Jobs and On-ramps Needed. She is a Crain’s Notable Women in Nonprofits alumni, a 2018 Michigan Chronicle Woman of Excellence, a member of the 2021 class of Crain’s Most Influential Women in Michigan, and is an Axios Detroit 2022 Power Player.
Denise Brooks-Williams
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Henry Ford Health
A native of Michigan, Denise received her bachelors and master’s degrees in health services administration from the University of Michigan before starting her career as a management fellow at Mercy Hospital in Detroit. She has been active in numerous professional groups including serving as president of the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), one of the premier minority health professional organizations in the United States. Denise is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Denise began her career at Henry Ford Health in 2013, being named president and CEO of Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital which serves the Downriver region and surrounding communities of southeast Michigan with approximately 2,400 employees, 600 medical staff members, including Henry Ford Health Center-Brownstown outpatient facility and physician practices. In 2023 Denise was named Executive Vice President & CEO, Care Delivery System Operations. In addition to her stewardship of market strategy and hospital operations, she also provides system-wide leadership over other key areas including ambulatory operations, surgical services and emergency departments. Brooks-Williams is active in several community- and charitable-based organizations. She is a past chair of the United Way Community Services--Neighborhood and Family Multi-Services Allocation Committee and a past member of the Community Impact Cabinet, the Lighthouse of Oakland County board, and secretary of the board of Ennis Center for Children. She currently serves on the University of Michigan Health Management and Policy Alumni Association, National Association of Health Service Executives, and the United Way. Brooks-Williams is actively engaged in the promotion of growth and diversity in the health care profession. In addition to her service with NAHSE, she is a board member of the Institute of Diversity, serves as delegate to Regional Policy Board 5 of the American Hospital Association’s Section for Health Care Systems and was appointed in April by Governor Rick Snyder (MI) to the Certificate of Need Commission. Among Brooks-Williams’ honors are receiving the University of Michigan Five Under Ten alumni award for civic and professional service. At its 2004 educational conference, NAHSE presented her the Young Health Care Executive of the Year Award. She was included in the ‘Who’s Who’ in Black Detroit magazine, and awarded the Early Careerist Award from the Michigan Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). The Michigan Chronicle selected her as a winner of the 2010 Women of Excellence Award. In April 2010, she was named one of the 'Top 25 Minority Executives in Health Care' by Modern Healthcare magazine. August 6, 2012. She was named 100 most influential Women 2016.
Sandy Pierce
Corporate Board Executive, CEO Advisor, and Community Strategist
Sandy Pierce joined Huntington in 2016 after the FirstMerit merger and leads the corporate-wide revenue segments of Huntington Private Bank, Huntington Insurance Agency, Huntington Auto Finance, and RV/Marine. Pierce also has management responsibility for Huntington’s Community Development initiatives and Huntington’s Regional Presidents across its twelve-state footprint. She is Chair of Huntington Bank Michigan. While at FirstMerit, Pierce was vice chair of FirstMerit Corporation and chair and chief executive officer of FirstMerit Michigan. She had direct oversight of and responsibility for Retail Banking, Wealth Management Services, and Corporate Marketing for FirstMerit Corporation in Michigan. Pierce is a board member of Barton Malow Company, Penske Automotive Group, American Axle & Manufacturing, and Henry Ford Health. Her current business associations and civic involvements include Business Leaders for Michigan, Detroit Economic Club, Detroit Regional Chamber, Downtown Detroit Partnership, New Detroit, Inc., and The Parade Company. Pierce is a 1980 graduate of Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and Marketing degree. She earned a Master of Business Administration and Finance degree from Wayne State University.
Marilyn Fountain
Retired Teacher
Marilyn Fountain is a lifelong Detroiter, a role model in the city, who has committed herself to serving God, her community, students, parents, and her family. Ms. Fountain is a proud graduate of Detroit Public Schools. After high school graduation, Ms. Fountain pursued and obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Detroit. Ms. Fountain attended Wayne State University for Masters coursework in Elementary Education. Upon completion of her academic coursework, Ms. Fountain taught at Detroit Public Schools for over 25 years. Passionate, caring, positive, and engaging, Ms. Fountain relished the opportunity to work with colleagues, families and, most of all, students. Ms. Fountain made an indelible mark on the lives of numerous students and staff. Being able to impact future generations of successful Detroiters provided Ms. Fountain with daily motivation to do her best work. Ms. Fountain shifted to serving the city of Detroit in another powerful way after retiring from teaching. Ms. Fountain received training as a hospital chaplain; her service-oriented spirit motivated her to continue to help those in need. Ms. Fountain happily and joyously volunteered for many years in this capacity. Again, nothing has brought Ms. Fountain more satisfaction than pouring into her community and the great citizens of Detroit. Well, maybe one aspect of her life brought her more joy than public service. Serving her family, her children, her grandchildren, and numerous others in her close circle, has given Ms. Fountain unspeakable joy. Ms. Fountain’s direct impact on the lives of her loved ones can’t be overstated. Mrs. Fountain’s family recognizes her as the matriarch and relishes the opportunity to love and be loved by her. Ms. Fountain continues to positively impact the city of Detroit. She, like the city of Detroit, has an engine that runs strong and takes people where they need to go!
About the Event
A black-tie affair, Franklin Wright's Annual Spirit of Giving Gala is an elegant, fun-filled evening of awards, live music, great food and cocktails. Families, friends, our team and supporters come together to recognize business and community leaders who give tirelessly to make sure that everyone has access to basic needs and opportunity. Together we celebrate a year of outstanding service to the community. Support our efforts by purchasing a table, tickets, or becoming a sponsor of this worthy and memorable event.
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Why Pathways to Hope?
With the rapid spread of COVID-19 over the past few years, children of all ages have experienced mental health disorders throughout the United States. Michigan children, along with children in Metro Detroit, are no different. This surge has put the demand for Franklin Wright Settlements’ services higher than ever before. The pandemic has left thousands of Michigan children without a parent or grandparent to care for them, making children newly bereft of a caregiver. Additionally, 38,000 Michigan children are unhoused (homeless) or placed in the foster care system, while over 371,000 children languish in the clutches of poverty. Shockingly, the pandemic's darkness has cast its shadow on more than 964,000 Michigan children alone, with nearly half of them grappling with depression and anxiety. Even further, a recent study has ranked Michigan 34th in overall childhood well-being and 27th in education.
Franklin Wright’s Pathways to Hope program addresses this serious need by providing services to youth such as mentorship, building a social network, finding a sense of purpose, exploring career opportunities, teaching confidence, social-emotional learning, access to clinical therapists, teaching how to live a healthy lifestyle, and building relationships with our staff and other children/young adults. This quintessential program relies on benevolent organizations like you to make this program successful with proper funding.
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Scroll down to learn more about the different elements of our Pathways to Hope program.
Table Purchase | $2,000
10 Guests | Dedicated Table
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Individual Guest Ticket | $200
SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES
Platinum Sponsor | $20,000
Supports transportation to our after-school program from 5 schools for one year.
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Year-long recognition on the FWS website
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Recognition in FWS newsletters for one year
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Social media recognition
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One dedicated table for event upon request
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Large logo in agenda/program
Diamond Sponsor | $10,000
Supports three students to attend Early Start Child Development Center programming for one year.
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Year-long recognition on the FWS website
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Recognition in three FWS newsletters
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Social media recognition
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One dedicated table for event upon request
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Medium logo in agenda/program
Gold Sponsor | $5,000
Supports one enrichment course for 25 students for one year.
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Year-long recognition on the FWS website
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Recognition in two FWS newsletters
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Social media recognition
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10 complimentary tickets upon request
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Business name listed as Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor | $3,500
Supports one field trip for 35 students during our Summer Enrichment Program.
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Year-long recognition on the FWS website
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Recognition in one FWS newsletter
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Social media recognition
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5 complimentary tickets upon request
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Business name listed as Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor | $2,500
Supports hot meals for 25 seniors for one week at Franklin Wright.
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Year-long recognition on the FWS website
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Recognition in one FWS newsletter
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4 complimentary tickets upon request
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Business name listed as Bronze Sponsor
Donation
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If unable to attend, a donation is greatly appreciated.
Table | $2,000
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10-person table at event
Sponsorship applications due by November 22, 2024. Contact Deon Mullen at dmullen@franklinwright.org or call 313.405.0952.
About the Pathways to Hope Program Elements
Our Pathways to Hope program enriches the lives of youth from ages 0 to 24. The different pillars of our program touch a child's life by:
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Early Start Childhood Development Center (Early Start): Starting a child's life with our Early Start Center where children prepare for Kindergarten by learning colors, shapes, ABC's, socialization skills, and more.
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After School Enrichment Program (ASEP): Continuing nourishment as children enter Kindergarten through the 12th grade by providing transportation, a healthy snack/meal, and enrichment courses during our ASEP.
- Summer Enrichment Program (SEP): Extending fun and interactive learning for K-12th graders during the summer months with a day camp, known as the Summer Enrichment Program. In this program, children receive healthy meals and snacks, mentoring, learn social skills, and participate in enrichment courses throughout the day.
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​​Enrichment courses include classes that teach confidence, self-esteem, social-emotional learning, health and wellness, teamwork, sports, music/DJing, financial literacy, digital literacy, and overall social skills.​
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Leaders in Training (LIT) Teen Center: Teaching Detroit teens and young adults the training, tools, and skills they need to explore diverse careers and skilled trades to make successful and meaningful contributions to the workforce by teaching vocational training, introducing career development, enhancing career readiness soft skills, and participating in financial literacy, academic support, community activism, recreational activities, and culturally based field trips.
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Annual Summer College Tour: Immersing youth into the world of higher education and college readiness, which is a major component of our LIT Teen Center. Metro Detroit youth get the experience of traveling out of state to visit up to 10 colleges and universities, where many of the youth receive on-site admissions. Over the last 20 years, 97% of the youth who attend the college tour go on to attend post-secondary education.
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Grow Detroit's Young Talent (GDYT): Engaging youth through a summer workforce development program through the City of Detroit providing meaningful on-the-job training and career readiness. The youth participants also use a curriculum titled, “Hats & Ladders” to learn about various career fields, complete career assessments, and interactive exercises to identify career areas of interest and the skills and education needed to secure employment in their chosen career fields.
President & CEO
Monique D. Marks, MSW
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Board Chairman
Rev. Dr. Kenneth Harris
Vice Chair
Michael Van Tull
Vice Chair
Debra Rush
Treasurer
Leonard Alford, III
Secretary
Kimberly Batchelor Davis
BOARD MEMBERS
Barbara Leake
Brandon Jackson
Cathy Nedd
Charlena Echols
Christine Laster
Dan Pitera
Dr. E’lois Thomas
George A. Nicholson, III
Hali Giessler, Emeritus Member
Hon. Teola Hunter
Jamaine Dickens
Lauren Spencer
Tarence Wheeler
Yvonne Young