Past Honorees
2008

Carol Goss
Carol Goss was honored in the Eleanor Josaitis “Unsung Hero” category for her support of educational and community initiatives that have contributed to the growth, safety and prosperity of the region. Ms. Goss is president and chief executive officer of The Skillman Foundation. For the past ten years, she has quietly worked to improve the lives of children in metropolitan Detroit by strengthening their schools and neighborhoods. It is especially appropriate that she won an award named for Eleanor Josaitis, as both strong women have dedicated their efforts to helping others lead self-sufficient and prosperous lives. Carol is working to support and strengthen schools, neighborhoods, parents and families. She serves as a transformational change agent in our community. Her leadership, with the strength of The Skillman Foundation behind her, is building safe and healthy environments for our children.

Kerry Doman
Kerry Doman received the 2008 Dave Bing Future Leader Award. Kerry is founder and chief executive officer of After 5 Detroit. She was honored for her efforts to attract and promote the region to young adults. Ms. Doman brings a very positive attitude and energy to her mission to get young people really excited about living in this area. When other 20-somethings were busy packing their bags to leave the state, Kerry returned to Michigan to invest in her hometown. She identified a need and established a now-thriving Web-based business designed to get young adults from throughout the region engaged with each other and connected to the vibrant urban scene in downtown Detroit. Kerry is doing her part to halt the drain of young talented people from our region and state, and is helping to improve the region’s quality of life, serving as cheerleader and promoter of great fun things to do with new friends in a more energized environment.  

David DiChiera
Dr. David DiChiera, founder and general director of the Michigan Opera Theatre, was the recipient of the second annual Neal Shine Award for Exemplary Regional Leadership. He was honored for his innovative efforts to foster regional progress and understanding through culture. DiChiera has made an enormous contribution to the cultural life of ourregion. From the very beginning of his impressive career, David has sought innovative ways to use culture to foster understanding, cooperation and progress without boundaries. He has demonstrated this commitment through diverse programming and educational opportunities, as well as outreach to schools and communities. But perhaps his greatest achievement is the courage and tenacity he showed in building the Detroit Opera House complex, which has been a major catalyst in the renaissance of the theatre district in Detroit. Attracting opera lovers from far and wide, these attendees have a first-hand opportunity to see Detroit in a very positive light, which helps to establish stronger relationships and regional ties between city and suburbs.

View the Shining Light Awards Videos
The Detroit Free Press produced a series of videos for the 2008 Shining Light Awards. View the videos >>

2007

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 >>