Experience the Lake Alliance Softball Complex in Potterville, Michigan. Lake Alliance Park is packed with outdoor activities suitable for sports like baseball, kickball, football, and motor sports. You also have access to Amenities like Concessions, restrooms, a playground, water access, and a covered pavilion.
What if the secret to breakthrough innovation lies in embracing failure as your greatest teacher?
In this episode from Startup Grind Conference 2025, host Julie Holton Smith sits down with Pastor Tom Arthur of Sycamore Creek Church, a leader who’s revolutionizing how we think about community building, risk-taking, and sustainable growth.
From launching church campuses to running food business incubators, Tom shares unconventional wisdom that will transform how you approach your next venture.
What You’ll Discover:
✅ Why “failing fast” isn’t just for tech startups, it’s essential for any growing organization
✅ The power of cross-industry networking
✅ How to apply billion-dollar acquisition strategies to potential partnerships
✅ Why global networking matters even in your local community initiatives
Tom’s journey from divinity school to becoming a startup ecosystem co-founder proves that innovation knows no industry boundaries. His insights on building platforms for others to succeed will give you fresh perspectives on leadership, community engagement, and sustainable business growth.
About Our Host:
Julie Holton Smith is a 3x Emmy Award winner, marketing strategist, and an entrepreneur. As the founder of mConnexions and host of Expert Connexions, she brings insightful conversations with purpose-driven leaders to help you grow and lead with intention.
About Our Guest:
Tom Arthur is a Pastor at Sycamore Creek Church. He specializes in church adoptions, community incubation, and bridging the gap between faith-based initiatives and startup innovation. His work includes launching multiple church campuses and operating food business incubators.
📢 Don’t miss our special mini-series featuring leaders from the Startup Grind Conference 2025!
Special thanks to Foster Swift, LEAP & the Lansing Regional SmartZone for supporting this series.
In every school, there are people who go beyond their job descriptions—who become lifelines for students and families in moments of need. For the 2025 **Communities In Schools of Michigan Advocate of the Year Award**, that person is Ms. Wurie. Known for her deep compassion, tireless commitment, and genuine human connection, Ms. Wurie has become much more than a staff member. She is a trusted adult, a consistent presence, and, for many, a safe haven.
Her impact is most powerfully seen in personal stories. One grandparent shared how her granddaughter Caitlin was struggling at school and emotionally overwhelmed. Ms. Wurie stepped in—not with judgment, but with open arms and an open door. She gave Caitlin a quiet place to retreat and someone to talk to. That simple yet powerful act made all the difference. For Caitlin, Ms. Wurie wasn’t just a staff member; she was her safe place.
Ms. Wurie’s approach to advocacy is rooted in empathy. She puts herself in the shoes of her students and their families. She doesn’t just focus on the classroom—she builds relationships with parents and caregivers, creating a bridge between home and school. Her respect for every person’s story is evident, and it’s part of what sets her apart.
Perhaps the most telling moment of Ms. Wurie’s dedication came when a student without a caregiver needed someone to attend a behavior hearing. While others stepped back, Ms. Wurie stepped forward. She showed up as his advocate and ensured he received fair treatment. Because of her support, his long-term suspension was reduced, and he hasn’t been suspended since. That ripple effect is what advocacy looks like in real time.
When asked why students trust her, one simple but powerful response said it all: “Because you listen. You listen and you don’t judge.” It’s not about grand titles or policies—it’s about being present and human. Ms. Wurie herself says, “It’s not about me being a district administrator… It’s about me just being human and having a heart.”
Her message echoes a timeless African proverb: *“It takes a village.”* Through her work, Ms. Wurie shows that the village isn’t built on titles—it’s built on people who care enough to show up. Her consistency, her listening ear, and her unwavering presence create lasting change, not just in students’ lives but in the fabric of the entire school community.
The **2025 Communities In Schools of Michigan Advocate of the Year** is more than a title—it’s a tribute to someone who reminds us that advocacy is for everyone. Whether you’re a teacher, a coach, a parent, or a neighbor, you have the power to listen, support, and show up. And as Ms. Wurie shows us, that might be the thing someone remembers forever.
**Thank you, Ms. Wurie, for reminding us all what true advocacy looks like.**
In a world that often feels weighed down by headlines and hardship, some stories cut through with a reminder of human kindness. That’s exactly what The Davies Project delivered when they won the Deucey Award for Most Inspirational Video of the Year. But their story goes far beyond a video—it’s about what happens when a community comes together to make sure no child misses a medical appointment because of transportation.
Founded by Pam Miklavcic, The Davies Project is a nonprofit rooted in compassion. Their mission is simple but powerful: provide free rides to seriously ill children, expecting mothers, and parents with infants in the NICU. That service might seem small on the surface, but its impact is profound.
“We want our community’s children to be as healthy as they can possibly be,” Pam says. “Transportation shouldn’t be the barrier.”
Each ride tells a deeper story—of parents juggling multiple jobs, of premature babies clinging to life, and of volunteers stepping in as everyday heroes. The organization doesn’t just transport people; it delivers hope, consistency, and care during times of crisis.
So when it came time to produce a video that captured this mission, The Davies Project partnered with Uno Deuce Multimedia. The result? A moving portrayal of real families, volunteer drivers, and the connections that keep this work going. The video debuted at their annual fundraising breakfast and, as Pam recalls, “there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.”
What set this project apart—and ultimately won it the Deucey Award—was its raw emotion and authenticity. The video didn’t rely on actors or scripts. Instead, it allowed real people to share real moments: a mother describing the relief of not missing a prenatal appointment, a volunteer driver discussing the joy of helping a family, and clips from community events like Max’s Race that bring supporters together.
At the core of The Davies Project are its volunteers. Trained, background-checked, and full of heart, they are the backbone of the organization. “They’re the heartbeat of the agency,” Pam says. “We couldn’t do it without them.”
Winning the Deucey was more than recognition—it was fuel. The team is already using the video to introduce new donors to their mission, inspire future volunteers, and spread awareness throughout the community. The award has amplified their voice, helping others see that even a simple ride can make a profound difference in someone’s life.
The Davies Project’s journey is proof that significant change often comes in small packages. It starts with listening, showing up, and driving one mile at a time. Their Deucey win wasn’t just a celebration—it was a call to action for all of us to find ways to help our neighbors.
Congratulations to The Davies Project on a well-deserved honor. The road ahead looks brighter because of you.
Tired of pitches that fall flat? Ready to become the ONLY choice instead of just another option?
In our next episode from the Startup Grind Global Conference 2025, host Julie Holton Smith sits down with Rajiv ‘RajNATION’ Nathan, the Chief Pitch Artist and mastermind behind the Que PASA Elevator Pitch Formula® that’s helped founders raise as much as $20 million and crush their sales quotas.
What You’ll Master:
✅ Why “Don’t be the best, be the ONLY” transforms how investors see you
✅The fatal mistake 90% of startups make in their pitch decks (hint: it’s not about features)
✅ How to make your audience feel SEEN instead of sold to
✅ The secret to turning skeptical listeners into co-creators of your vision
✅ Real examples from NavFlex and other winning pitches that raised millions
Raj reveals why successful founders stop positioning against competition and start creating their own category. This isn’t theory — these are actual strategies.
About Our Host:
Julie Holton Smith is a marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and communications expert who helps businesses and nonprofits amplify their impact. As the founder of mConnexions and host of Expert Connexions, she brings insightful conversations with industry leaders to help you grow and lead with intention.
www.mconnexions.com
About Our Guest:
Rajiv ‘RajNATION’ Nathan is a Chief Pitch Artist, Startup Hypeman, and Startup Grind Chicago Chapter Director. For nearly a decade, Raj has perfected the art of storytelling for startups, helping visionaries raise capital, improve sales close rates, and build market-leading brands.
www.startuphypeman.com
Located on Lansing’s north side, the Capital City Family BMX facility is the perfect location for next your BMX event.
It offers the only USABMX sanctioned track in the region and a newly added pump track. Amenities include convenient access to water, restrooms, electronic scoreboard system, concessions and more.
Joseph Yang’s path to becoming President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing reads like a modern success story—one that weaves together technology, law, and an unwavering commitment to community service. His journey demonstrates how diverse experiences can converge to create decisive leadership in the nonprofit sector.
Yang’s story begins in an unlikely place for a future nonprofit leader: hunched over a computer in the early days of DOS commands and dial-up modems. Growing up in a computer lab, he developed a deep appreciation for technology that would later influence his approach to youth programming. After earning a degree in telecommunications from Michigan State University in 2003, Yang worked in tech support, troubleshooting everything from networking issues to the frustrating dial-up connections that defined the early internet era.
But Yang’s interests extended far beyond circuit boards and code. Inspired by mentors who made a difference in Lansing, he took an unconventional detour into law school, attending Western Michigan University Cooley Law School’s nights-and-weekends program while working full-time. Graduating in 2013, he focused on criminal law, particularly representing indigent clients who couldn’t afford legal representation—a calling that reflected his deep commitment to serving underserved communities.
What makes Yang’s story particularly compelling is his full-circle return to the Boys & Girls Club. He grew up across the street from the organization in a public housing complex called Lareroo, participating in programs as a child before eventually joining the staff as Education Director. This personal connection runs deep—his current office overlooks the very basketball courts where he learned to play as a kid.
“I love the community. I literally come home every day when I go to work,” Yang reflects on his unique perspective as both former member and current leader.
As Director of Operations, Yang wore virtually every hat imaginable—managing finance and HR, driving the van for field trips, organizing sports camps, and ensuring every donated dollar was spent efficiently. His approach was always mission-first, working behind the scenes to help others shine while keeping the organization running smoothly.
When longtime President Carmen announced her retirement, Yang insisted on an open, nationwide search process, prioritizing what was best for the Club over personal ambition. After a thorough evaluation, he emerged as the top candidate—a testament to his dedication and the trust placed in him by the board and community.
Now as President and CEO, Yang is modernizing the Club while honoring its traditions. Understanding that today’s kids are different from those of 20 years ago, he has introduced innovative programs, such as an esports corner with high-spec computers, bridging traditional recreation with digital interests. His tech background proves invaluable as he meets kids where they are, rather than expecting them to adapt to outdated programming models.
The Boys & Girls Club of Lansing serves youth ages 7-17 with after-school programming that includes homework help, arts and crafts, STEM activities, and physical fitness—all for just $10 per year, a membership fee that has remained unchanged for over two decades.
Yang’s leadership philosophy centers on empowering his team and expanding the Club’s reach throughout Lansing, taking services directly to schools and housing complexes. His vision extends beyond the facility’s walls, aiming to serve 185 kids daily while building new partnerships across the community.
Through his unique blend of technical expertise, legal knowledge, and genuine passion for youth development, Yang exemplifies how diverse professional experiences can create exceptional nonprofit leadership.
Imagine AI agents booking your restaurant reservations, scheduling home repairs, and making purchases — all without you needing to browse websites or make calls.
In this fascinating episode recorded live at Startup Grind Conference 2025, host Julie Holton Smith explores the next evolution of websites with Jesse Flores, Chief Web Pro of SuperWebPros.
Jesse’s revolutionary “Super Sites” represent a fundamental shift in how the internet works.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ The coming shift from human-dominated to AI-dominated internet traffic
✅ How Super Sites eliminate the need for traditional web browsing
✅ Why this technology is a must-have for every webpage
✅ The business model disrupting service provider platforms
✅ How Michigan innovators are leading this technological revolution
This conversation offers a rare glimpse into the infrastructure being built for tomorrow’s internet, where AI agents will handle routine tasks while humans focus on higher-value activities.
About Our Host:
Julie Holton Smith is a marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and communications expert who helps businesses and nonprofits with their impact. As the founder of mConnexions and host of Expert Connexions, she brings insightful conversations with industry leaders to help you grow and lead with intention.
www.mconnexions.com
About our Guest:
Jesse Flores is the innovative founder of SuperWebPros, developing next-generation websites optimized for AI agent interaction. Operating from Lansing, Michigan, Jesse is at the forefront of the internet’s evolution toward AI-driven commerce.
Learn more at www.superwebpros.com
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The Grand Opening of Child and Family Charities at their Greenlawn Campus brought out all the movers and shakers to cap off a long process of development, partnership, and community building. Enjoy this visual recap of how the day went and felt.
In an era where funding challenges and post-pandemic recovery continue to test nonprofit organizations, one medium has emerged as particularly powerful for conveying mission and impact: video storytelling. Drawing from insights shared in a recent presentation to nonprofit leaders, the key to effective organizational communication lies not just in having a compelling story, but in showing that story through authentic visual narratives.
## The Funding Reality and the Story Solution
Today’s nonprofits face an increasingly competitive landscape for donor attention and foundation support. Federal funding cuts, combined with lingering effects from the pandemic, have made individual donors, corporate sponsors, and private foundations more crucial than ever. Organizations that have survived these challenges have done so because their stories are strong and their core values remain clear. Video provides the perfect medium to demonstrate this resilience and communicate these values effectively.
As one landscape services professional from MSU recently noted, “We can throw stats, we can throw pictures, but what we can’t do as an organization is really tell our story through video.” This shift in perspective—from trying to prove worth to having others seek help in demonstrating value—signals a fundamental change in how organizations approach their communications strategy.
## Collaboration as a Storytelling Strategy
One of the most effective approaches to nonprofit video storytelling involves showcasing collaborative efforts. When organizations partner with each other, they create opportunities to reach multiple audiences while demonstrating community impact. For example, Catholic Charities’ collaboration with the Greater Lansing Food Bank during the pandemic created a powerful narrative that benefited both organizations while serving their shared community.
These collaborative stories work because they show real solutions to real problems. They demonstrate how organizations can leverage their unique strengths—one partner’s kitchen facilities, another’s food distribution network—to create something greater than the sum of their parts.
## Making Clients the Heroes
Perhaps the most important shift in nonprofit storytelling involves repositioning who serves as the story’s hero. Rather than making the organization the central character, effective video narratives position clients, volunteers, or community members as the heroes of their own transformation stories. The organization becomes the guide—like Yoda in Star Wars—providing tools and support while the individual takes center stage.
This approach humanizes the organization’s impact in a way that statistics cannot. When a Habitat for Humanity participant shares their journey from cramped living conditions to homeownership, complete with their children’s excited reactions, viewers see tangible change happening in real time. These stories resonate because they show people overcoming challenges with the organization’s support.
## Authentic Representation Matters
In today’s diverse communities, authentic representation in video storytelling isn’t just good practice—it’s essential for credibility. Organizations serve people who may not look like their staff, and this diversity should be reflected naturally in their visual narratives. Rather than viewing this as a checkbox exercise, successful nonprofits recognize that their authentic community connections are part of their story’s strength.
The most effective nonprofit videos capture real moments with real people, avoiding artificial recreations or stock footage that can undermine authenticity. Younger donors, in particular, can quickly identify inauthentic content, making genuine storytelling crucial for long-term sustainability.
## The Path Forward
The fundamental principle remains simple: show, don’t tell. In a visual medium, demonstration trumps description every time. Whether capturing spontaneous volunteer moments on social media or producing comprehensive mission videos for websites, the goal is always to let the story speak through the people who live it daily.
Nonprofits that master this approach don’t just communicate their impact—they create compelling reasons for continued support and community engagement.