inspirations
Joanne Truitt Grear had a
dream. She wanted to open a premier restaurant that ca- tered to a clientele committed to experiencing fine cuisine, fresh foods filled with tantaliz- ing flavors from the kitchens of cultures around the world. With the help and support of her family, she opened The Brown Bag and Eatery res- taurant over 20 years ago. As president and CEO of the busi- ness, she skillfully overseas the day-to-day operations of the food service company.
Based in Highland Park,
the company has contributed to the economic base of a city plagued with financial chal- lenges. The restaurant has morphed into one of Detroit’s finest catering companies, ser- vicing a broad range of clients from the corporations of the major auto firms to the many families and social clubs seek- ing fine foods for memorable occasions. Grear has been honored to receive one of the Michigan Chronicle’s Women of Excellence Awards.
As a businesswoman, Grear
has been both employer and mentor to hundreds of work- ers and potential chefs seek- ing the learning that only hands-on experience can pro- vide. She shares her love of people and cooking with those she comes in contact with and also does not hesitate to share her knowledge and expertise. The Brown Bag has been a springboard for many people seeking careers in the culi- nary arts industry.
As a member of the advi-
sory board for the Golightly Vocational Technical School, Grear has educated and em- ployed many of the area’s urban youth who seek careers in the food industry. As a part of her expanded civic duties, she accepted the charge to sit on the Events Advisory Board for the Detroit Regional Cham- ber. As a member of the Na- tional Association of Catering Executives and the Booker T. Washington Business Asso- ciation, she has helped groom new members and has been active in pursuing prospective candidates for membership.
There are many hands in
the pots at Brown Bag Cater- ing that makes it the success that it is. Key to the daily operations is John Coleman,
Chef de Cuisine, who has been with The Bag, as it is affection- ately called, for over 15 years. John is known for being able to infuse foods with the right combination of herbs and spices, creating award-win- ning meals for clients. Also key to the business is Ester Truitt, owner of Sugar! Sugar! who provides The Bag with the special desserts that custom- ers crave and line up to savor. Her German chocolate, red velvet, and Brown Bag pound cakes are known throughout
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
The power of a dream: The Brown Bag Catering Company
company and its employees. The company is currently in negotiations with Focus: HOPE to help reopen its con- ference center as its preferred caterer. If this effort becomes a reality, Grear will be able to offer an exciting new venue for her clients looking for a beau- tiful, reasonable space for their event while adding to the revenues for Focus: HOPE.
Grear’s stellar accomplish-
ments as a businesswoman are evidenced by the many awards and honors she has re- ceived over the years: Culinary Arts Legacy Award-Plymouth Church; State of Michigan House of Representatives 6th District’s Woman Entrepre- neur of the Year Award; Small Business of the Year Award; The City of Highland Park’s Business Star Award; The Community Coalition’s Don Barden Business Person of the Year Award; and The Entrepre- neurial Excellence Award.
The late Leon Truitt,
Joanne Grear
the region as are her bread puddings and apple and peach cobblers. In addition, The Bag partners with Goodness Gra- cious Florists, Black Bow Tie, and Lindsey’s Linen to create the special touches needed to ensure that the special occa- sions will indeed be special.
Since June of 1995, The
Brown Bag has had a strong relationship with the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, responding to the culinary needs of the museum’s patrons as one of the minority catering vendors. In addition, The Bag is a pre- ferred caterer at the Detroit Opera House, the Northwest Activities Center, the Inn on Winder, the Detroit Historical Museum, and Focus: HOPE.
Given the harsh economic
challenges for minority busi- nesses in urban areas, the Brown Bag Catering Company has had to forge ahead, seek- ing strong alliances that will guarantee the survival of the
founder of The Brown Bag and Eatery restaurant and father of its president and CEO, was a powerful inspiration for Grear as she moved to transform her dream into a reality. A member of the Catholic Church of the Madonna, Grear has an un- yielding faith that has been the foundation of her tenacity, providing her with the energy needed to sustain a business that has survived through dif- ficult economic trends.
Her courageous convic-
tion to her goals and plans has been an inspiration to others. She is a devoted family member who is daugh- ter of Ester Truitt, sister to Dr. Sandra Truitt Robinson, wife to Tyrone Grear, mother to Karl Grear, and grandmother to Kyle and Kyndall. Joanne Truitt Grear is a true renais- sance woman who is able to spin dreams into realities while managing the demands of countless other roles. She is truly a “woman of excel- lence.”
The Brown Bag will be
having its first brunch in 12 years on Mother’s Day, May 9, at the Focus: HOPE Confer- ence Center, 1400 Oakman Blvd., from 11 a.m. to 4 pm. Reservations required. For more information call (313) 869-6668 or e-mail brownbag-
foods@aol.com.
April 21-27, 2010
Page B-9
REV. DR. GLENN MOSLEY and Rev. Martha Mosley.
Rev. Dr. Glenn R. Mosley
Unity Urban Ministerial School receives grant
and Rev. Martha Mosley and the board of trustrees of Unity Christ Church of St. Louis have established the Charles and Myrtle Fillmore Scholarship at the Unity Urban Ministerial School. The Mosleys are long- time supporters of the Urban School and its founder, Rev. Dr. Ruth M. Mosley-Hall. Unity Urban Ministerial School was founded by Rev. Ruth to intro- duce the Unity doctrine to the African-American population.
Since 1979, the school has
produced over 100 ministers who are working in Detroit and around the county. The scholarship is a tribute to the founder and the many years she dedicated to the success of the school.
Rev. Dr. Glenn R. Mosley
is an ordained unity minister serving at the Unity Christ Church in St. Louis. He has received several degrees in the life sciences. He has authored over 12 books and lectured throughout the world. Mosley is president emeritus of the
Church revival, job fair
Pastor Prophet Cedric
Banks and co-pastor Donetta Banks of Heart of Jesus Inter- national Deliverance Church have been hosting a combina- tion revival and job fair. The goal of the revival is to empow- er and impact the community with jobs, prophecy, preaching and teaching, financial stabil- ity and much more.
Service times and dates are
Sunday, 3-6 p.m., and Tues- day, 7-9 p.m., at 15570 Toep- fer, Eastpointe; and Thursday and Friday, 7-9 p.m., at 111 E. Kirby, inside the International Building.
All events are free and
‘A Black & White Affair’
“A Black & White Affair,” the 45th anniversary banquet for Temple of St. Jude, was recently held at Athena Hall. The church is pastored by the Rev. Dr. Herbert Robinson Jr. (front). With him are members of the congregation along with special guest Linda Swanson (standing, left), executive vice president, Swanson Funeral Home, Inc.
Dellonnie Shelby wins Mr. Michigan 2010 Title
Dellonnie Thomas Shelby is breaking many
barriers. His selection as the first African-Amer- ican candidate to hold the Mr. Michigan North America title provides him an unprecedented national vehicle for educating the community about mental health issues, his platform. He will compete with other contestants at the na- tional competition held in Las Vegas later this summer.
Shelby’s primary focus, parenting and stress
management, is personal. He lives with an anxi- ety disorder, which began with a breathtaking panic attack in 2006 on his daily commute to work. At the time, he suspected the incident was an allergic reaction to his blood thinning medication, called Heperan, prescribed to treat his pulmonary emblemism. He was wrong.
As a young husband and father of two small
children, he contemplated the possibility of death for the first time. He phoned his wife who remained on the line with him until he managed to get to Garden City Emergency Room, worried that his restrictive and very limited insurance coverage might not cover his condition.
After conducting a series of tests and exami-
nation, Shelby was released from Garden City Hospital with a pain reliever to alleviate his dis- comfort and no conclusive diagnosis. He re- turned to emergency rooms several times after that first incident and, later, was diagnosed with an anxiety and panic disorder, character- ized by extreme panic attacks, muscle spasms and intense anxiety.
Since then, he has managed to balance his
condition with antidepressant medication and therapy, which allows him to maintain an active
Dellonnie Thomas Shelby
lifestyle. Shelby feels the Mr. Michigan 2010 title pro-
vides the perfect platform to educate others about mental health issues often not openly discussed. The 41-year-old graduate of Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, Oakland Community College and Siena Heights Uni- versity is starting graduate school at Eastern Michigan University this fall.
open to the public. Attendees can meet with both for-profit and non-profit vendors after service at 8:30 on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
The revival will run through
2010. Call
(586) 222-6307 for
more information or visit
www.heartofjesusidc.com.
Association of Unity Churches International, and was one of the founding board members with Dr. Elisabeth Kubler- Ross and Dr. Austin Kutscher of the Foundation of Thana- tology. He has been listed in the International Who’s Who in Theology and Science and Who’s Who in America 2000. Rev. Martha Mosley is a mar- riage and family therapist. She was ordained at Unity School of Christianity and has worked with the school’s Min- isterial Education Program since 1993. She served as vice president of education for 10 years.
The Charles and Myrtle Fill-
more Scholarship is equivalent to the cost of one student’s tu- ition. The scholarship will be offered to students who are beginning their second year at
the school. A 250-word essay on the healing teachings of the Fillmores will be required for eligibility to qualify for the scholarship. Charles and Myrtle Fillmore started the first Unity Church in Kansas City. The Fillmore Scholarship will be presented at the 31st anniversary of the Unity Urban Ministerial School. A Spiritual Weekend will begin Friday, April 30, at the St. Regis Hotel, 3071 W. Grand Blvd., featuring Rev. James Trapp, president of the Association of Unity Churches International, and Rev. Charlene M. Manual, author of “Pray Up Your Life.” There will also be “50 Power- ful Prayer Practices” on Satur- day, May 1, at a workshop.
For more information, call
(313) 922-0999 or visit www.
unityuums.org.
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Mr. Merlton Brandenberg, Owner
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8333 Michigan Ave. • Detroit, MI 48210
Stinson
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