How BIPOC Leaders are Driving the Creation of a Circular Economy in Michigan

To mark the beginning of Earth Month, Michigan Sustainable Business Forum will host an online forum exploring the leadership of entrepreneurs and professionals of color in advancing sustainable business and the creation of a circular economy in Michigan.  

Although commonly under-represented in the sustainability movement, businesses led by people of color have long played important roles in materials management, energy efficiency and other key sustainable business functions, especially in southeast Michigan and in automotive and public sector supply chains.  As major brands, local communities and state and federal policy are expanding or adopting circular economy goals and initiatives, and consumer interest in sustainability continues to grow, established and emerging firms founded by people of color are leading the way.

Featuring:

Vickie Lewis, founder and CEO, VMX International LLC

Last year named a Crain’s Detroit Notable Leader in Sustainability, her recent projects have included adding compost collection on the Denver Federal Center campus, changing the food waste collection process at the Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas, collecting aluminum oxide from the Massena, N.Y., Alcoa plant floor and launching a mitigation program there.  VMX International recently received support from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes Energy’s Renew Michigan Fund to develop a new electric vehicle battery recycling operation.

Maria Marin, CEO, President and Founder of Unlimited Recycling, Inc. 

Established in 1999, the company has successfully served high-profile customers like Selfridge Air National Guard, US Army TACOM, McNamara Federal Building, Wayne County Airport Authority, Google, Walbridge, Heritage Interactive and Android Industries, among others.  An immigrant from Nicaragua, she has become an industry leader in innovative solutions for waste management. Currently, Unlimited Recycling, Inc, leads the effort in Metro Detroit to ensure that organic material, such as food, yard, and agricultural waste, are composted rather than ending up in plastic bags in a landfill.

Luis Chen, founder and principal of Wormies Vermicompost

Wormies Vermicompost is a composting and living soil manufacturer specializing in producing premium vermicompost since 2018. It currently collects and manages food scraps from over 500 residential and commercial customers. Chen was recently recognized by WMSBF as its 2022 Future Sustainable Business Hall of Fame honoree, and earlier in the year was awarded a grant from the Renew Michigan Fund for a new compost facility in Cascade Township.  

Webinar participants will

• Hear about three exciting circular economy initiatives and how each is advancing important improvements in their respective communities and industries.  Examples from a rapidly growing community of ventures led by people of color in Michigan.
• Gain a new appreciation for the leadership of entrepreneurs of color in recycling and materials management.
• Learn about the role that supplier diversity initiatives and diverse business associations have played in supporting these entrepreneurs.