Master of Ceremonies Remarks

I am Lloyd Banks and I will be the Master of Ceremonies for today’s Event. I am proud to represent the three Southwest Solutions Board of Directors. These Board members exemplify and carry on the founding mission of Southwest Solutions.

I am gratified to see so many people gathered here today. When I see the diversity in the room, it is no wonder that just yesterday, Southwest Solutions received the Diversity Award from Corp Magazine , Michigan’s largest business magazine.

I got involved with this organization because of a deep love for southwest Detroit -- I went to high school in southwest Detroit and my grandfather’s church was founded in southwest Detroit. Beyond that, I got involved because Southwest Solutions offers real hope for the city of Detroit and its children, adults, families. Southwest Solutions is revitalizing southwest Detroit so that this community becomes a neighborhood where people want to live, work, and learn.

The organization receives many awards and honors, which you will find on our website. Highlights this year include one of the highest national community mental health awards for our work to end homelessness, and two regional awards recognizing our work in housing development and property management.

Kudos like these occur throughout the year and reaffirm what I saw when I first returned to southwest Detroit 8 years ago…this organization has a track record of moving the needle and a capable team of staff and partners to do the job.

Today’s fundraising breakfast culminates a series of monthly tours we call “Be Part of the Solution” that some of you have been fortunate enough to attend. Hopefully, each of you will attend one of these sessions in the future where you get to see firsthand how the community is being transformed.

You will note that today’s program is a brief but full presentation of what Southwest Solutions does and how you can get involved.

One program note before we go any farther. Several corporations have already pledged their leadership gift for today’s fundraiser in the amount of $75,000. I would like to acknowledge those corporations now. Please hold your applause until I read the entire list.

Special thanks for our 2009 Community Builder Leadership Gift:  Fifth Third Bank

We also received 2009 Leadership gifts from

Brown & Brown of Detroit (formerly known as ALCOS)

PCE

Galbraith, Gordon & Penzien

Plante & Moran

Plunkett Cooney.

Please note too in your Program the names of 19 other corporations that made multi-year pledges continue to support Southwest Solutions. Many if not all of these corporations are with us today and we could not accomplish our mission without their help. We are particularly grateful for the two businesses that championed our lead gift for last year’s event that are with us today – O’Brien Construction and Jermor.

…..at the Wrap-up

Thanks to everyone for attending this second annual Solutions at Sunrise. Those who are predicting or demise of Detroit and the hopelessness in Detroit’s neighborhoods need to experience the energy that is in this room this morning. They need to come and see Southwest Detroit! We appreciate your generous gifts of time, your interest and your donations. We hope you will tell your friends and families about Southwest Solutions and that you’ll take in one of our monthly Be Part of the Solution tours this year.

Thank you and drive safely.