2024 ROSE Awards program

RECOGNITION OF SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARDS

VISIT DETROIT PRESENTS THE 28TH ANNUAL

CEREMONY AUGUST 21, 2024 MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL SOUND BOARD

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THE PROGRAM 5:45 p.m. Dinner 6:15 p.m. Champagne Toast 7 p.m. ROSE Awards Ceremony 9 p.m. Afterglow

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RECOGNITION OF SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARDS

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.

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the people who make Detroit such a welcoming, vibrant community.

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MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES PRIYA MANN | ANCHOR/REPORTER | WDIV LOCAL 4 For more than a decade, Priya Mann has been in the community covering local issues and partnering with nonprofits making a difference.

In 2020, Priya became the youngest recipient to receive the Neal Shine Award for Media Commitment for her volunteer efforts with the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan. In 2022, she was a part of the Local 4 News team that won a national Edward R. Murrow award, journalism’s top honor. Priya also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity Oakland County. In 2011, she went on a mission trip to El Salvador, working alongside new homeowners.

Priya lives in Detroit and has a brindle cockapoo named Zen. Originally from Toronto, her family lives in North Carolina. She’s a new runner, loves yoga and telling your stories.

TONIGHT’S ENTERTAINMENT TRUNINO LOWE Trunino Lowe is one of Detroit’s young promising musicians. Born and raised in Detroit, he is a proud graduate of Detroit School of Arts (DSA). Trunino’s love of music began early, but it wasn’t until he attended DSA that he decided to pursue a career as a professional musician.

Spending two years at the illustrious Michigan State University under the direction of Rodney Whitaker, Trunino gained much knowledge, expanding his communication skills and enriching his palate through the history of music.

Trunino now serves as a bandleader, sideman, composer and mentor. With guidance from Detroit trumpeters Kris Johnson, Dwight Adams, Rayse Biggs and John Douglas, he’s a part of the jazz lineage of Detroit and strongly believes in continuing the legacy.

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RECOGNITION OF SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARDS

TONIGHT’S ENTERTAINMENT (cont’d.)

MARAJ VIRTUOSO Maraj Virtuoso is a multicultural Afro-Mestizo vocalist and violinist who believes she was born to express her story and love through storytelling, songs and strings.

Her music fuses neo soul, jazz and Latin influences along with dashes of R&B and indie.

She has performed at many venues and festivals across Detroit, Chicago, Brooklyn and Los Angeles as well as for the Detroit Lions halftime show with Big Sean and the Detroit Pistons. She has held residencies at legendary venues across the country and hopes to inspire those with a story to tell to grasp the words and release them.

Through her soon-to-be-released project A.D.H.D (Angels.Demons.Hearts. & Dreams), she wants to bring to light that we are all human and in this life, through music and song, we are all beacons of light and love. We are all capable of kintsugi — to extend grace beyond measure to not only others but ourselves.

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 recently honored as “Entertainer of the Year” at the Detroit Black Music Awards in August 2024.

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TONIGHT’S ENTERTAINMENT (cont’d.)

E3 DETROIT BOOM LINE The E3 Detroit “Boom Line” is a high-energy group of percussionists and horn players.

Their engaging and entertaining movement, along with their talented performances over top of popular classic songs, creates an energizing show that gets audiences on their feet and moving.

PORTRAITS B Y XAVIER Known online as @Barelyhispanic, Xavier is a lens-based artist and storyteller specializing in photography and cinematography. His work falls squarely between his Puerto Rican heritage and Detroit upbringing. Doing his part to make sure stories are told firsthand, Xavier documents everything and everyone that inspires, and like everything he does, it is for family, friends and his city.

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.

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RECOGNITION OF SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARDS

7 STONE MANAGEMENT 7 Stone Management was founded in 2013 by Janel Stone. A single mother of two babies, Janel knew that she had to do something to work from home so she could care and provide for her children. Using her 25 years of experience and every resource she had, 7 Stone was launched. 7 Stone evolved into Michigan’s top talent agency specializing in entertainers, musicians, models and marketing.

In the last decade, 7 Stone has employed over 1,000 Michiganders, and currently supplies and manages talent for over 200 clients -- offering a wide variety of options to assist them in creating unique experiences for guests, 7 Stone houses over 450 of Michigan’s most exquisite models, has more than 5,000 musical acts covering every genre on its roster, and books and represents over 500 specialty entertainment acts.

With a team that is diverse in age, gender and ethnic backgrounds, 7 Stone fosters relationships with Michigan’s top music talents as well as many national and regional artists, assisting with small and large venue needs. It also owns exclusive entertainment elements and wardrobes, all in the pursuit of elevating Michigan’s native talent and providing exceptional experiences for clients and their guests.

COLLETTE WILLIAMS 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. As a significant commercial property owner and the visionary behind Avenue Investments, Collette has played a crucial role in revitalizing the historic Avenue of Fashion. He also founded and serves as president of Avenue Community Services, where he supports local entrepreneurs, mentors future business leaders and fosters cultural and economic growth in Detroit. Notably, Collette collaborated with the Detroit Police Department, The Parade Company, Urban City Cowboy, the All-City Marching Band and other community groups to curate the first-ever parade on the Avenue of Fashion. Recently, he was honored with a Testimonial Resolution by the Detroit City Council in recognition of his exceptional service to the community. Additionally, he is a board member of the Wayne County Youth and Senior Foundation and serves as a deputy sheriff in the Wayne County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) unit. Collette continues to be a transformative force in Detroit, championing community development, economic empowerment and cultural enrichment throughout the city.

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ON BEHALF OF VISIT DETROIT THANK YOU FOR HELPING US HONOR THE 2024 ROSE AWARDS NOMINEES, FINALISTS AND WINNERS Roy Acho Motown Museum

Theodore Banks Sodexo Live!

Tenisha Bridgewater-Marble Detroit Marriott Livonia

Darkeevia Adams Hotel Indigo Detroit Downtown

Doug Barr Wayne County Airport Authority

Lakesha Bush Atheneum Suite Hotel & Conference Center

Fatima Al Rasool Arab American National Museum

Mark Barrett The Townsend Hotel

Gary Cabean Detroit Opera House Detroit Opera

Dorothy Alexander Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center

Corey Basley Atheneum Suite Hotel & Conference Center

Charlie Caberra Hyatt Place Detroit Utica

Abdul Aljuride Delta Air Lines

Juan Benavides Detroit Opera House Detroit Opera

Sidney Canales MotorCity Casino Hotel

Violet Anderson Hampton Inn Southfield West Bloomfield

Rose Bender Goss Hampton Inn Southfield West Bloomfield

Marissa Carter The Fillmore Detroit

Brooke Armstrong The Townsend Hotel

Dilia Berisic MotorCity Casino

Suzanne Chandler Event Source

Joanne Arnold Motown Museum

Tom Beyersdorf Wayne County Airport Authority

Anthony Cliett QLINE

Kendrick Ashford St. Andrew’s Hall, The Shelter & The Society Room

Brenda Bradford Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center

Rachel Cruz Huntington Place

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RECOGNITION OF SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Cheryl Cusumano-Gadson 200 West

Frank Ford Detroit RiverFront Conservancy

Antwan Hatcher Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center

Tina Das The Godfrey Hotel Detroit

Jarryl Fordham Motown Museum

Stephanie Heath Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center

Kelly Davis The Henry Ford

Deleisha Gains Courtyard by Marriott Detroit Warren

Eric Henderson Hotel Indigo Detroit Downtown

Taniesha Dillon MotorCity Casino

Earnestine Gary Huntington Place

Ryshanda Henderson MotorCity Casino

Shelby Drake Woodward’s

Traci Gerick Courtyard by Marriott Detroit Warren

Sheila Hinkle London Chop House

Mary Dunn NAIAS Security Services

Brittany Grams The Henry Ford

Carol Holt Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac

Patricia Edmond-Smith MotorCity Casino

Stephen Hackett The Parade Company

Travis Horner Woodward’s

Antonio Elias Hampton Inn - Northville

Clifford Hall Huntington Place

Brittany Housley Hampton Inn Madison Heights

Gahmela Elmawari Courtyard by Marriott Detroit Warren

Kimberly Harris Cambria Hotel - Shelby Township

Lamar Howard Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac

John Firment Wayne County Airport Authority

Anthony Harvey Hotel Indigo Detroit Downtown

Mark Hurrelbrink The Townsend Hotel

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Yvonne Hutch Detroit Institute of Arts

Laura Kosowski The Henry Ford

Andrew Malki Hampton Inn & Suites Wixom

Latajashanna Irving Staybridge Suites Novi

Charles Kramer St. Clair Inn

Alex Manasa Detroit Athletic Club

Linda Jackson Residence Inn by Marriott Detroit Pontiac Auburn Hills

Michael Kujawa Delta Air Lines

Greg Mangan Southwest Detroit Business Association

Cherlvise Johnson MotorCity Casino Hotel

Matthew Leitch Mootz Pizzeria

Myrna Mazure Detroit Opera House Detroit Opera

Danai Johnson Hotel Indigo Detroit Downtown

Michelle Levine Hampton Inn Southfield West Bloomfield

Madeline McGee The Parade Company

Tim Johnson Woodward’s

YuTing Lin Staybridge Suites Southgate - Detroit

Lyz Mickley Detroit Athletic Club

Wanda Johnson Huntington Place

George Linker Wayne County Airport Authority

Valerie Myaard-Martin The Henry, Autograph Collection

Aishia Jones Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac

Alberta Logan Residence Inn by Marriott Detroit Pontiac Auburn Hills

Steffan Newburn Motown Museum

Michelle Kelley Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center

Katrina Lyons Huntington Place

Nicole North Delta Air Lines

Mary Koehler The Parade Company

Rezart “Ray” Maja Embassy Suites by Hilton Troy Auburn Hills

Susan Norwood Hampton Inn Southfield West Bloomfield

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RECOGNITION OF SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Jason Nowlin Cambria Hotel Shelby Township

Ashley Ridley Motown Museum

Emily Solomon Wayne County Airport Authority

Sarah Osbourn Royal Park Hotel

Bill Ried Detroit Opera House Detroit Opera

Emily Soltis The Godfrey Hotel Detroit

Mary Pagel Cambria Hotel Shelby Township

Marianne Rubnowski Hyatt Place Detroit Utica

Ellen Stachowicz Detroit Historical Museum

Desiree Paul Woodward’s

Jose David Santana The Townsend Hotel

Kara Stachowicz Hampton Inn Madison Heights

Nicholas Perkins Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Canton

Aiyana Shepard Detroit Historical Museum

Sandra Stevenson The Parade Company

Shawn Prater The Henry Ford

Syretta Simpson Olympia Development

Caroline Suarez Delta Air Lines

Sade Price Hampton Inn & Suites Bloomfield Hills Detroit

Asia Smith Woodhouse Day Spa

Deonna Taylor Atheneum Suite Hotel & Conference Center

Bashar Putros Hilton Garden Inn Detroit Southfield

Tonisha Smith Sodexo Live!

John Tse Premium Event Services

Edmond Rapo Staybridge Suites Southgate - Detroit

Connie Solimanto Delta Air Lines

Crystal Turner Huntington Place

Meli Rapo Home2 Suites by Hilton Taylor Detroit

Claudia Solomon Wayne County Airport Authority

Halim Uddin Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac

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Bridgett Upshaw Sodexo Live!

Tyra Ware Motown Museum

Cheryl Wilson Hotel Indigo Detroit Downtown

Peggy VanSickle The Parade Company

Sharon Washington Sodexo Live!

Roderick Winters Downtown Detroit Partnership

Tiffany Vega Courtyard by Marriott Detroit Warren

Brandi Watts Southwest Detroit Business Association

Janet Wood Staybridge Suites Southgate - Detroit

Jamilet Villarreal Hotel Indigo Detroit Downtown

Sheryl Weinan-Yee Detroit Opera House Detroit Opera

Linda Young Hampton Inn Southfield West Bloomfield

Gabrielle Waderlow St. Clair Inn

Fred Williamson QLINE

Tony Walker Atheneum Suite Hotel & Conference Center

Ray Willis The Parade Company

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RECOGNITION OF SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARDS

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities Full View Productions

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211 W. FORT ST. | STE. 1000 | DETROIT, MI 48226 | 313-202-1800

@visitdetroit

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