The 2007 Inaugural Event
The inaugural Shining Light Awards ceremony took place on November 8, 2007 and honored individuals well known for their extraordinary contributions to our region – Neal Shine, Marian and Michael Ilitch, Eleanor Josaitis, and Dave Bing.

The 2007 Honorees
The Shining Light Regional Cooperation Awards are fittingly dedicated to, and named in honor of, the widely respected Neal Shine who promoted his love for Detroit and his vision for stronger ties among all metro communities during his 45-year career with the Detroit Free Press. Mr. Shine passed away in April of 2007.

The inaugural Shining Light Awards ceremony paid tribute to Mr. Shine and three of Metropolitan Detroit’s finest regional leaders:

Marian and Michael Ilitch
Marian and Michael Ilitch, chairman and vice chairwoman of Ilitch Holdings, Inc., received the inaugural Neal Shine Award for Exemplary Regional Leadership in recognition of their many contributions to our area.  The Ilitches made the decision to move to and invest in Detroit when many others were reluctant, and their entertainment facilities and sports teams have attracted countless suburbanites who otherwise would not have experienced what the City has to offer.  Having opportunities for suburbanites to see and experience Detroit in a positive light lays an important foundation and builds support for establishing stronger city/suburban relationships. Future Neal Shine Awards for Exemplary Regional Leadership will recognize individuals in the public spotlight who are taking risks and demonstrating courage to improve regional cooperation and understanding.  

Eleanor Josaitis
Eleanor Josaitis received a Shining Light Award named in her honor – the Eleanor Josaitis “Unsung Hero” Award.  Her impressive career as co-founder of Focus:HOPE has been directed at some of the region’s most significant impediments to building regional cooperation – racism, poverty, and social injustice.  Though now widely known, in the early years of Focus: HOPE Josaitis worked principally behind the scenes, with Father Cunningham serving the more public role.  Among her many accomplishments, she spearheaded a supplemental food program for mothers, children, and senior citizens that now serves the tri-county area.  Future recipients of the Eleanor Josaitis “Unsung Hero” Award will be individuals who may not have yet received the widespread recognition they deserve for long-standing efforts to further regional cooperation and understanding. 

Dave Bing
Dave Bing, Mayor of Detroit and founder of The Bing Group, received a Shining Light Award, which is also named in his honor as the Dave Bing Future Leader Award.  Bing, a regional hero for his “Hall of Fame” achievements on the hard court, is playing a leading role in transforming Detroit and is recognized for his work with youth and schools.  He represents an outstanding role model for the younger generation.  In future years, recipients of the Dave Bing Future Leader Award will be young adults involved with enhancing regional understanding and cooperation within our metropolitan community.

View the Shining Light Awards Videos
The Detroit Free Press produced a series of videos for the 2007 Shining Light Awards. View the videos >>