In late 2022, the Friends of Berston (FOB) Board of Directors appointed Valorie Horton its interim executive director, following the sudden death of beloved former executive director Bryant “BB” Nolden. An FOB member since 2015, Horton is currently board president and charged with helping the plans move forward with the $30 million Berston Field House expansion project.

After 30 years away from Genesee County, Katie Kool-Wray, a former Flushing resident and Powers Catholic grad, felt the need to make an impact on the community. “I had to find a way to give back to the Genesee County community and to find my people,” she explains. “When I lived in Cincinnati, I was a member of a large network of women like myself, who wanted to make a difference.” After a discussion with a friend from Traverse City, Kool-Wray found a way to make it all happen. Her friend was a member of her local chapter of Impact100 and Kool-Wray immediately began to think about what the organization could do for Genesee County. Impact100 is a national organization of women who come together determined to make a difference in their local communities. Kool-Wray established the Genesee County chapter in June.

It’s tough out there in today’s business climate – you’ve got to be committed, you have to know your stuff and most of all, you must be resilient. In this challenging economy, each and every day is a battle; only those who have the heart can triumph. That is why reaching significant business milestones is a reason to celebrate!

Dr. Dallas Gatlin, Executive Director of Carriage Town Ministries (CTM), is retiring from his position after over 14 years. During his tenure at the faith-based shelter for homeless men, women and children in Flint, Dr. Gatlin has truly been a voice for the homeless. My City is proud to recognize him as our 2023 Cityzen of the Year. “I will turn 70 this year and it is time for me to move on. I feel at peace with God about it,” the director shares. “I will continue to be a supporter of CTM and I will support the new executive director in any way I can.”

Roger Sharp is a proud man. He’s proud of his time spent serving in the United States Army, proud of what he has been able to do for his community through his successful business, Sharp Funeral Homes and, above all, he is proud of our nation’s veterans and what they have done for this country. “I’m proud to be a veteran and I am proud of all the veterans we are able to serve through the funeral homes,” he states. “We are proud to lend support to various veterans organizations, as well as the Great Lakes National Cemetery.”

Travis Crossley fondly recalls the creative, early-teens version of himself. Back then, he was a kid with a specific passion and dream.

After a comprehensive search process last spring, the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library Board of Trustees offered Taliah Abdullah the position of executive director, which she accepted and officially began in late July.

You are invited to come out and have a bewitching good time at Witches Night Out in Historic Downtown Fenton on Friday, October 13 from 4-9pm. According to Brenda Hasse, award-winning author and event co-chair along with Karen Piacentini, Owner of Fenton’s Open Book store, Witches Night Out is in its sixth year and has continued to grow in popularity.

It’s never too soon to start preparing for upcoming celebrations and that includes finding the perfect holiday gifts.

Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas … OH, MY! There is a major holiday at the end of each month for the rest of the year!

To put one’s life in harm’s way for the safety of others is a sacrifice that takes equal amounts of selflessness and courage. In Greater Flint, there are hundreds of men and women willing to put it all on the line for our communities without hesitation. Our police officers and firefighters are second to none in the country and each of them has shown that they are ready to go above and beyond for any of us in need of help.

In early July, the Department of Public Safety at MCC was joined by 24-year law enforcement veteran Jamie Zecman. Most recently, Chief Zecman served as Deputy Chief of Public Safety and Emergency Management at Washtenaw Community College (WCC) in Ann Arbor. During that time, she implemented WCC’s first-ever Rape Aggression Defense Program (RAD), was the College’s lead ALICE Instructor and served as Interim Chief.