About the Awards Honorees Nominations Attend the Ceremony Contact

 

 

About the Awards
The Detroit Free Press and Metropolitan Affairs Coalition (MAC) partnered to create the Shining Light Regional Cooperation Awards.  To this distinctive collaboration, the Free Press brings its ability to spotlight exceptional people doing great work that uplifts the region, while MAC brings its long history and experience of developing regional initiatives that are already making a difference in improving Southeast Michigan.   

The Shining Light Awards will honor individuals who are making important contributions to regional cooperation, progress, and understanding in metropolitan Detroit.  Our purpose is to give broad exposure to people who are making the tough and often politically difficult decisions to further regional cooperation and, in that way, encourage others to follow in their footsteps. 

The inaugural Shining Light Awards were launched in 2007 in a special “naming ceremony” honoring individuals well known for their extraordinary contributions to metropolitan Detroit – Neal Shine, Marian and Michael Ilitch, Eleanor Josaitis, and Dave Bing.

For more information on the 2007 honorees (click here.)

Award winners in 2008 and beyond will be selected through a public nomination process. (For more information, click here.) 


Why Recognize Current and Emerging Regional Leaders?
The Shining Light Regional Cooperation Awards were created with the recognition that to be truly competitive in the global economy, a region needs a cooperative spirit and good working relationships among its communities.  A region that believes that “we are all in this together” ismore likely to establish the common vision required to develop needed regional infrastructure, services, and amenities so essential to a vibrant economy. 

Moreover, building cooperation and teamwork between communities can be a challenging and sometimes unrewarding task that should be recognized. Individuals who take risks, and even jeopardize their political future, by thinking, acting, and advocating for regionalism must be honored and rewarded for their courage and fortitude.  In showcasing their leadership, these regional awards also provide role models that may encourage others to take the initiative to look beyond their own borders and act upon the larger good.