The 19th annual Shining Light Regional Leadership awards, presented by the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition (MAC) and the Detroit Free Press, took place at the Motor City Casino and Conference Center earlier this month.
The ceremony was an opportunity to learn about and hear from individuals who are truly making a difference in our region. Our honorees discussed their lifelong commitments to volunteering in their communities – in addition to making a difference in their professional and personal lives. They also inspired us with their efforts to engage individuals and populations that are often left behind or lack resources to fully participate in our communities’ progress.
Dave Bing Young Leader Honorees Laura Grannemann and Jeremiah Steen
Detroit’s former Mayor and basketball Hall of Famer Dave Bing presented the Dave Bing Young Leader Award to two individuals: Laura Grannemann, the Executive Director of the Rocket Community Fund and the Gilbert Family Foundation, and Jeremiah Steen, a Detroit-based philanthropic strategist community development leader and youth governance advocate.
Laura Grannemann focuses on breaking down and rebuilding complex systems related to economic development, housing stability, and employment. She is not a native Michigander, but she has made it her home since an Alternate Spring Break to the city during college. She felt a calling that she could make a difference in the City of Detroit and has spent the last thirteen years working on building housing stability through efforts to address the tax foreclosure crisis, the mortgage market, and bridging the digital divide. She recognizes that the work is not done but celebrates the progress, “From Downtown to the neighborhoods, our infrastructure is stronger, our population is up, more families own their homes, and we’re consistently receiving investment at a scale not seen for decades. The Detroit that I see today is proof that progress is possible when people decide to make it so.”
Laura Grannemann, Executive Director of the Rocket Community Fund and the Gilbert Family Foundation makes a speech after accepting the Dave Bing Young Leader Award at the 19th Annual Shining Light Regional Cooperation Awards on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. Photo credit: Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press
Jeremiah Steen is the Founder and Executive Director of the Steen Foundation, a youth-led nonprofit that has engaged more than 5,000 young people through workforce development, civic engagement, environmental stewardship, and arts initiatives. In his remarks, he encouraged leaders to engage youth to continue the work that has been done in Detroit over generations and also prepare for the future as technology changes our lives. “If you’re a CEO, nonprofit, leader, tradesperson, teacher, or civic leader, ask yourself who carries what I know because I took the time to pass it on?” Steen said. “Because experience cannot be downloaded. Judgment can’t be Googled. And wisdom disappears if we don’t pass it on. This isn’t about one generation stepping aside so another can step forward. It’s about walking together long enough for knowledge to become wisdom and wisdom to become legacy. Young people need experience. Experienced leaders need successors. Detroit needs both. And so does our region.”
Jeremiah Steen Detroit-based Philanthropic Strategist, Community Development Leader, and Youth Governance Advocate makes an impassioned speech after accepting the Dave Bing Young Leader Award at the 19th Annual Shining Light Regional Cooperation Awards on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. Photo credit: Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press
Eleanor Josaitis Unsung Hero Honoree Dan Austin
Eleanor Josaitis Unsung Hero honoree Dan Austin was presented with the award by Eleanor Joasitis’ daughter Mary Josaitis-Lendzion. Dan is the Director of Editorial and Communications for Michigan Central, which is without doubt one of the most amazing comeback stories in our region’s recent history. He is also known for his tireless work uncovering the forgotten stories behind Detroit’s buildings and monuments through the free nonprofit historicdetroit.org and the Austin Past and Present Fund, which will help to maintain the site and provide scholarships to students who will give back to the city as teachers, urban planners or social workers. He urged everyone to get involved in their community and encouraged leaders to provide them with the opportunity, the education skills and training so they can help make the city even better.
Dan Austin (middle) receives a Regional Cooperation Award alongside Mary Josaitis Lendzion (left) and Carol Cain (right).
Dan ended his comments with the call to action for taking care of our health. At age 43, Dan was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. This disease is affecting more young people today, and he has personally lost friends in their 30s and 40s. “Get your colonoscopy,” Austin said. “Get your mammogram. Get your cologuard. Do it for yourself. Do it for your family. And do it for your city. Because your light cannot help Detroit if you’re not here to shine it.”
Neal Shine Award for Exemplary Lifetime Regional Leadership
The Neal Shine award for Exemplary Lifetime Regional Leadership honoree is Robert Riney, CEO of Henry Ford Health. The award was presented by Dan Shine, Senior Editor of the Automotive News and son of former Detroit Free Press editor and publisher, Neal Shine – the program’s namesake. Robert grew up volunteering with parents who instilled the importance of helping the community and he continues to serve in many different ways. He began as a security guard at Henry Ford Health and four decades later serves as the health system’s CEO. He talked about his vision of health being broader than medical but about family, the community, and the environment. He ended his acceptance speech reinforcing his commitment to the region, “Of everything at Henry Ford, the thing I am the most proud of is that we have never wavered, no matter how economically hard it got from serving all communities, not some communities, not easy communities, not well-paying communities, all communities. And that’s what this team delivers every day.”
Robert Riney (middle) receives a Regional Cooperation Award.
Each and every one of our honorees recognized past efforts to make the Detroit region a better place. They committed to continuing this work through engagement with nonprofits, government, residents and businesses and preparing youth for taking the reins in the future. They exemplify the impact and soul of the awards named for Dave Bing, Eleaor Josaitis and Neal Shine.
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