THE 29TH ANNUAL VISIT DETROIT
CEREMONY
THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2025
MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL - SOUND BOARD
THE PROGRAM
6 p.m. Dinner
6:20 p.m. Champagne Toast
7 p.m. ROSE Awards Ceremony
9 p.m. Afterglow
ABOUT THE ROSE AWARDS
For over two decades, the annual Visit Detroit ROSE Awards have been committed to honoring the true power and dedication of individuals in metro Detroit’s hospitality industry. They’re what make our region a great place to work, stay and play — and our community simply wouldn’t succeed without them.
It takes a lot of outstanding people to make our region shine, and the ROSE Awards honor the hard-working volunteers and employees at our restaurants, hotels, attractions, casinos and transportation service providers. No matter what they do, awardees represent the best that Detroit has to offer.
Join us in celebrating the people who make Detroit such a welcoming, vibrant community.
SHARE YOUR ROSE AWARDS MOMENTS ON INSTAGRAM!
Join the celebration online by sharing your favorite memories from the ROSE Awards. Visit Detroit has launched a special Instagram “Add Yours” Story template — giving you a fun way to post your highlights and see how others are experiencing this incredible evening. The template will be live for 24 hours, so don’t miss your chance to add your story to the celebration!
MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
CAROLYN CLIFFORD | ANCHOR | WXYZ CHANNEL 7
Carolyn Clifford is a 22-time Emmy Award-winning journalist who anchors the 4, 6, and 11 pm newscasts on WXYZ, Channel 7 right here in Metro Detroit. She was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 2024 and the Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2021, and was awarded the 2021, 2022 AND 2023 Michigan Association of Broadcasters “Broadcast Excellence Award” for Best News Anchor.
Carolyn was born and raised on the northwest side of Detroit and is so very proud of the city’s revitalization and new development.
Carolyn is also a proud graduate of Michigan State University, earning a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She also learned mental toughness from spending time in MSU’s Army ROTC.
Carolyn is married to Gregory F. Goss, and is mother to Airielle, James, Brooke, Alyssa and Gregory Junior. In her spare time, Carolyn loves spending time with her family and volunteering in our community.
TONIGHT’S ENTERTAINMENT
URBAN ART ORCHESTRA
Urban Art Orchestra was founded in 2022 and is lead by Kresge Fellow, 3x NAACP Image Award winner and 3x Grammy nominated composer De’Sean Jones.
Urban Art Orchestra aka “Detroit’s Orchestra” brings people together in the celebration of all things pertaining to music, dance, visual art, and culture. With a full ensemble of more than 200 active members, UAO presents a unique musical celebration of our heroes from Quincy Jones, Jdilla, Pharrell, Charles Stepney (Earth Wind & Fire) and so many more. Urban Art Orchestra’s energy, vibe, and musical style proudly represents the 313.
In recent years, Urban Art Orchestra has curated notable collaborations with the likes of Slum Village, The Four Tops & Temptations, Amp Fiddler, T-PAIN, Big Sean and more. UAO has also published several albums including Urban Art Orchestra Live in Detroit Vol 1 & Vol 2 along with the 2024 Amazon Music digital release titled “Big Sean (Amazon Music Songline).”
Since its inception in 2022, Urban Art Orchestra has successfully cultivated arts curation partnerships with Ford, Michigan Central Station, Visit Detroit, NAACP, Amazon Music, Detroit Pistons, The Democratic National Convention, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Public Schools, and is a newly named 2025 recipient of the Spirit of Detroit Award.
TONIGHT’S ENTERTAINMENT
(cont’d.)
DARIAN TASCHNER
Darian Taschner is a dynamic vocalist, commercial performer/actor, and founder of Hourglass Music. After touring the world as a featured vocalist on luxury cruise lines, she built a Detroit-based career that blends elite performance with polished event production. Darian manages and performs with the acclaimed Simone Vitale Band and fronts Elektrik Dream—a high-energy pop/rock act with a 100% sellout record across Detroit. On camera, her commercial work showcases the same clarity, charisma, and ease audiences feel on stage. Tonight, she is honored to bring that artistry to the ROSE Awards in downtown Detroit, honoring the hospitality professionals whose service makes metro Detroit shine!
ANGELA DAVIS
Angela Davis, a Detroit native, is one of the city’s most accomplished singers. She is also a proud special education teacher currently serving the Wayne Westland Community Schools District.
She is the 2015 WDIV Local 4 Super Singer winner. Since winning this competition, she has had the opportunity to share stages with various national acts including The Temptations, The Beach Boys, Alexander O’Neal, Gerald Albright, Norman Brown, Johnny Gill, Regina Belle, Angie Stone, Keith Washington, Babyface, Tyrese, Dwele and many more.
Angela has been the featured singer at various prestigious events including the Detroit Music Awards, Ford Fireworks, America’s Thanksgiving Parade and 2024 NFL Draft as well as the national anthem vocalist for the Detroit Lions, Tigers, Pistons and Red Wings. She was honored as “Entertainer of the Year” at the Detroit Black Music Awards in August 2024.
TONIGHT’S ENTERTAINMENT
(cont’d.)
FLORELLA STRINGS
Florella Strings is Detroit’s premier string duo, bringing a distinctive blend of classical mastery and soulful artistry to every performance. Violinist Carla Rivers-Johnson and cellist Jasmine James — each with over 25 years of training and performance experience both locally and internationally—joined forces in 2022 to create an ensemble that transcends genres. Drawing on their extensive classical backgrounds, they infuse each piece with vibrant energy and heartfelt expression, delivering a sound that is as refined as it is captivating.
Since its debut, Florella Strings has collaborated with renowned names and organizations including Ford, The Detroit Pistons, Big Sean, Icewear Vezzo, Kash Doll, and more, solidifying their place as a dynamic and sought-after presence in Detroit’s music scene.
STEVE “HYPEMAN” COLEMAN
Steve “Hypeman” Coleman has been entertaining and performing for audiences for nearly 20 years. Performing is his lifelong passion and in addition to getting audiences rocking on the dance floor, he also uses his musical talent to educate children and adults about drugs, violence and peer pressure awareness and prevention.
Coleman has served as THE HYPEMAN DJ for hundreds of private, public and corporate events. He has also been a tour manager, MC and announcer for the world famous Harlem Globetrotters and has worked with the Detroit Pistons for many years.
HOSTESS
The hostess for the evening, Anisah Milton, is provided by 7 Stone Management.
ACTIVATIONS
GLAMBOT
The Glambot at the ROSE Awards is your chance to capture a show-stopping moment on the red carpet. As you make your entrance, this high-tech camera will film you in stunning slow motion, turning your look into a cinematic masterpiece. Don’t just walk by — pause, strike a pose, and let the Glambot capture your star power. It’s your time to shine, so make the most of this red carpet treatment and create a memory you’ll never forget.
MAGAZINE PHOTO BOOTH
Capture the elegance and excitement of the ROSE Awards with our exclusive magazine photo booth, where you can step into the spotlight and shine like aVogue cover star! Our photo booth is designed to make you feel like a celebrity, complete with professional lighting and a chic backdrop. Whether rocking the latest fashion or showing off your unique style, this is your moment to create a photo worthy of the front page. Don’t miss the opportunity to capture your ROSE Awards memories in style.
COLLETTE WILLIAMS INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER
Collette Williams is a distinguished Detroit businessman and the now-retired creator and former owner of Motown Portrait Photography, the largest African American full-service portrait studio in the U.S. Over his 35-year career, he photographed iconic figures including Aretha Franklin, Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, Rosa Parks and Bill Clinton, with his work featured in Ebony/Jet magazines, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
MCLAUGHLIN AWARD NOMINEES
The William F. McLaughlin Hospitality Award for Service Excellence celebrates best practices and innovation in customer service. This award is given to a Visit Detroit member for outstanding accomplishments in customer service. The nominating company should demonstrate a history of accolades for outstanding achievement in delivering customer service excellence in the hospitality industry. With customer service expectations continually rising, the hospitality industry is aware of the value and role that customer service plays in achieving business success.
ON BEHALF OF VISIT DETROIT
THANK
YOU FOR HELPING US HONOR
THE 2025 ROSE AWARDS NOMINEES, FINALISTS AND WINNERS
Roy Acho Motown Museum
Darkeevia Adams Hotel Indigo
Detroit Downtown
Ellaine Amador
Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac
Ashley Ambati
Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Samuel Anthony Shinola Hotel
Joanne Arnold Motown Museum
Irene Arpasi-Borden
Delta Air Lines
Elham Ascie
Holiday Inn Express - Wixom
Joanne Austin
Cambria Detroit
Justin Austin
Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac
Shalonda Bailey
Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel
Alisha Baldwin Slows Bar BQ
Mary Beaurem
Sodexo Live!
Rose Bender-Goss
Hampton Inn
Southfield West Bloomfield
Robert Bennett MotorCity Casino
Leah Beverley
National Trails
Kevin Bradford The Townsend Hotel
Melanie Brown
Detroit Metro Airport Marriott
Brian Burkart
Huntington Place
Dymond Burks
Shinola Hotel
Laquiana Burnette
Detroit RiverFront Conservancy
Cheyenne Butler Woodward’s
Jacob Cafeo
Huntington Place
Klotilda Celaj
Hampton Inn
Southfield West Bloomfield
Luveart Clark Huntington Place
Emmah Cook ROOST Detroit at Book Tower
Cornelia Corlateanu-Bitere The Townsend Hotel
Amanda Coulter Holiday Inn & Suites
Farmington Hills Detroit NW
Hannah Demski
Shinola Hotel
Kadidja Diallo Woodward’s
Suzana Dokja The Townsend Hotel
Emma Mae Eberhart-Sims
Michigan Science Center
Suzanne Erbes
Detroit Opera House/ Detroit Opera
Tina Fields
Detroit RiverFront Conservancy
Justin Forbes
Hyatt Place
Detroit Auburn Hills
Donya Ford Cornbread
Jarryl Fordham
Motown Museum
Chris Furchak
The Henry Ford
Teshima Gaines
Motown Museum
Joy Gandreh
Delta Air Lines
Bailee Gierman
The Townsend Hotel
Marissa Glesen
Hyatt Place - Detroit Utica
Donald Goodall Motown Museum
Katisha Gordon
Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac
Barbara Grant
Detroit Marriott Southfield
Will Green
Shinola Hotel
Ayress Gross Cornbread
Marquis Hall
Detroit Princess Riverboat
Steve Hannosh
Holiday Inn Express - Wixom
Shondel Harlan
Detroit RiverFront Conservancy
Darren Hawkins
St. Andrew’s Hall, The Shelter & The Society Room
Lashonda Hawkins
Atheneum Suite Hotel & Conference Center
Michael Hazley
Hollywood Casino at Greektown - Hotel
Shelby Healy - Drake Woodward’s
Eric Henderson
Hotel Indigo
Detroit Downtown
Vanessa Henderson
Shinola Hotel
Kathy Hinchman Ford House
Kimyana Hines
Delta Air Lines
Barbara Hobbs
Detroit Metro Airport Marriott
Jasmine Hollins
Hyatt Place - Detroit Utica
Caj Holt
Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac
Jenise Howell-Butler
Hotel Indigo
Detroit Downtown
Angeltia Husketh
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Canton
Sherri Jakob
Detroit Metro Airport Marriott
Darryle James
The Dearborn Inn, Autograph Collection
Marc Jamison
Delta Air Lines
Eric Jones
Atheneum Suite Hotel & Conference Center
Jazmin Jones
Hotel Indigo
Detroit Downtown
Ash Karki
Cambria Detroit
Matthew Karr Fox Theatre
Sharon Kelly
Wayne County Airport Authority
Batool Khan
Home2 Suites by Hilton West Bloomfield Detroit
Travis Klein
Detroit Metro Airport Marriott
Marie Komnenic
The Henry Ford
Christine Lawrence Cornbread
Camille Lewis
Sodexo Live!
Maryetter Lindsey
Detroit Hives
Mia Livingston Shinola Hotel
Michelle Lopus Wayne County Airport Authority
Anthony Lucas The Henry Ford
Katrina Lyons Huntington Place
Eddie Mallari
Detroit Marriott Troy
Rebecka Marotta
St. Clair Inn
Alexis Martinez
Detroit Metro Airport Marriott
Quin Mata
The Townsend Hotel
Xaviera McFadden QLINE
Kimberly McLaurin
Home2 Suites by Hilton West Bloomfield Detroit
Cicilia Mendes Cornbread
William Menezes
Wayne County Airport Authority
Keith Moore
Detroit Opera House/ Detroit Opera
Briana Oliver Cornbread
Aaron Parrott Motown Museum
Desiree Paul Woodward’s
Uolanda Payne Hotel Indigo Detroit Downtown
Eric Perry Huntington Place
Adrienne Perzyk
Michigan Science Center
LaTanya Phillips QLINE
Darryl Pointer
Atheneum Suite Hotel & Conference Center
James Poling The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
Jason Potter
Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Daniel Powell MotorCity Casino
Keeneth Powell
Atheneum Suite Hotel & Conference Center
Shawn Prater The Henry Ford
Timothy Reagan The Parade Company
Yvonne Reed The Parade Company
Dylan Reilly
Detroit History Tours
Domenic Roberto
Michigan Science Center
Avery Robinson
Home2 Suites by Hilton West Bloomfield Detroit
Kristen Rowland Hyatt Place
Detroit Auburn Hills
Edna Rubin
Detroit Opera House/ Detroit Opera
Greg Russell A Dream Limousine & Sedan
Kujtim Sabaj Café Cortina
Reagan Saint Pierre
Michigan Science Center
Ayanna Sanford
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Detroit Warren
Reginald Segars
The Townsend Hotel
Desirea Showers
MotorCity Casino Hotel
Roxanne Simone Hyatt Place - Detroit Utica
Krishawna Slay
Hampton Inn
Southfield West Bloomfield
Casey Smith
Hyatt Place - Detroit Utica
Davonte Smith
Hotel Indigo
Detroit Downtown
Ken Smith
Wayne County Airport Authority
Monica Smyth
The Westin Book Cadillac
Detroit
Amy Spence
Delta Air Lines
Steven Spencer The Parade Company
Dianna Surowiec
Wayne County Airport Authority
Will Swartzendruber
Cornbread
Michael Tawfek
Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac
Jennifer Tedder The Parade Company
Ashli Thomas Courtyard by Marriott Detroit Livonia
Jessica Tidwell
DTown Vinyl
Shannon Tylutki
Delta Air Lines
Hope Vail Five Steakhouse
Rainier Villas MotorCity Casino
Linda Walter The Parade Company
Tyra Ware Motown Museum
Taylor Werling Detroit Metro Airport Marriott
Kimberly Werth St. Clair Inn
Alexis Wescott
MotorCity Casino Hotel
Andre Williams
Atheneum Suite Hotel & Conference Center
Porcia Wilson
Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac
Deborah Wiltshire
Wayne County Airport Authority
Jalen Wimberly Delta Air Lines
Abby Wohlgemuth Saint John’s Resort
Greg Wright Detroit Marriott Southfield
Joslyn Wright
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Canton
Pang Yang MotorCity Casino
Jackie Zeiter Huntington Place
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS
Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities
Full View Productions
