This year's group of five finalists spanned a variety
of sectors: Medical research, fashion design, entrepreneurship and
finance, PK-12 education and the restaurant industry.
For more information about the Lakeshore Innovator of
the Year, and to view previous winners,
visit the Muskegon Innovation Hub’s web page
.
This year's Lakeshore Innovator of the Year finalists included:
Matthew Cortez, Muskegon Public Schools, superintendent
As the leader of Muskegon County's PK-12 education
system, Cortez has adopted an innovative strategy to prepare
students for the demands of the 21st-century workforce. Muskegon
Public Schools was recently designated a Ford Next Generation
Learning community — the first in West Michigan and only the fourth
district in the state to earn this distinction. In partnership with
Ford, MPS launched the Innovation Academies of Muskegon, which offer
personalized, career-focused instruction, Cortez said. “We have a
long way to go, but we're preparing ourselves to be that
21st-century learning center that our students in our community
deserve,” Cortez said.
Janyelle Milton, J Marie Premium Sneakers, founder
When Milton first considered creating her own line of
sneakers, she said she heard from many questioning her decision.
Instead of letting the doubts deter her, she turned them into
motivation. Built around the tagline, “Conceived in Detroit.
Handcrafted in Italy,” J Marie Premium Sneakers offers a line of
stylish, functional footwear manufactured with 100 percent Italian
leather. “Innovation to me is being a brand that is not just
concerned with consumerism and lifestyle, but actually concerned
about the environment and the society that they operate within,” she said.
Lashae Simmons II, Black Wall Street Muskegon,
founder and president
With a background in finance, Simmons recognized a need
among entrepreneurs of color and their small businesses — one she
was uniquely equipped to address. She launched Black Wall Street
Muskegon, a digital incubator platform that fosters social
networking, collaboration and partnerships, she said. The platform
has become a driving force in Muskegon’s small business renaissance.
Simmons also organizes the annual Black Wall Street Muskegon Expo,
held on the third Sunday of June. “Innovation to me means coming up
with creative ways to do things that maybe already exist, but don’t
exist for each market or each individual,” Simmons said. “It’s
making sure it’s equitable to all, and to be innovative, you have to
be equitable.”
Brian Woods, Big Skinny's, owner
Building a food business around seasoned pretzels might
seem limiting, but Woods' innovative thinking has turned Big
Skinny's into a local success story. Encouraged by family and
friends, the brand has grown to reach 19 retail locations across
Newaygo and Oceana counties. Woods credits the Muskegon Innovation
Hub for helping him elevate the business. In February, Big Skinny's
was one of three companies awarded a $10,000 Hub Direct Grant, which
allowed him to purchase new equipment. “To be innovative in seasoned
pretzels is just about being bold,” Woods said. “A pretzel is kind
of like a blank slate. Coming up with the new flavors is the fun part.”
Additional writing by Thomas Chavez
