(FLINT, Mich., Oct. 22, 2026) The nominations are in for the Flint & Genesee Group’s Art of Achievement Awards. In total, 96 businesses and organizations and 136 individuals were nominated for 14 awards that will be presented on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the FIM Capitol Theatre in downtown Flint.
“Flint & Genesee is home to so many outstanding individuals and organizations that are making a positive impact in our region,” said Tim Herman, CEO of the Flint & Genesee Group.
Herman added: “We look forward to recognizing their achievements and invite the community to join us in celebrating their contributions.”
In its 12th year, the awards celebration will also present additional honors, including the Art Hurand Award, the Charles Stewart Mott Award and the Economic Development Project of the Year. It will also introduce the new Veteran-Owned Business Award.
Red carpet arrival will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the awards program at 7 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at FlintandGenesee.org.
The following individuals and companies are nominees in the business category:
Business Impact Award: Recognizes a company with 50 or more employees making a positive impact in Flint & Genesee
- Culver’s
- Dort Financial Credit Union
- Fernco, Inc.
- Financial Plus Credit Union
- Flatrock, Inc.
- Genisys Credit Union
- Patriot Ambulance Service
- Rolls Mechanical
- Shea Automotive Group
Claire M. White Award: Honors a woman working for the betterment of Flint & Genesee in community, career, or someone else’s life
- Megan Ahejew,
- Jennie Barkey
- Denika Dalton
- Ebony Dunigan
- Annette Hughes
- Delois Jackson
- Stacey Jarrett
- Kaitlyn King
- DeAndra Larkin
- AshleyCae Lee
- Jennifer Lengyel
- Athena McKay
- Jennifer Rygalski
- Beth Schrader, CTA
- Tanisha Thompson
- Jamie-Lee Venable
- Jill Watson
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion: Recognizes an individual, business, or organization that has demonstrated leadership in helping make Flint & Genesee a place of opportunity and inclusion for those who live and work in the county
- Fernco, Inc.
- Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission
- The Sankofa Project for Social Justice
- Nickesha Reid
Minority-Owned Business Award: Recognizes a minority-owned business making a positive impact in Flint & Genesee
- 81Ohm Massage & Co.
- Bella’s Concessions & Catering
- Biotiq Skincare
- Family Care Plus Physical Therapy
- Harris Family Health
- Life in 3D Health Services
- MexiCrunch LLC
- PawPaws Pickles LLC
- Robella Haynie’s LLC
- Shani Womack Enterprises
- Sunny Patch Learning Center
- TGI Direct
Nonprofit Impact Award: Recognizes a charity, church, or nonprofit making great strides to positively impact any facet of the Flint & Genesee community
- Arab American Heritage Council
- Communities First, Inc.
- Concrete Rose Foundation
- Crossover Outreach
- Flint Housing Commission
- Genesee County Prevention Coalition
- Goodwill Industries of Mid-Michigan, Inc.
- Hand of God Ministries
- Hats, Hoodies, and Handshakes
- Heavy Love
- Impact100 Genesee County
- Inside Acceleration Tutoring Center
- Linden Family Pride
- Motivated by Faith, Inc.
- Peckham
- Priceless Dreams
- Prism Project
- Shelter of Flint
- Sleep in Heavenly Peace MI – Flushing Chapter
- Survivors of Advocacy and Resilience (SOAR)
- The Art of Music Project
- University of Michigan-Flint
- Xceptional Heroes
Small Business Award: Recognizes a company with fewer than 50 employees making a positive impact in Flint & Genesee
- 81Ohm Massage & Co.
- Compassus Maternal Infant Health Program
- Fruits of My Labor LLC
- Garden of Y.O.U.T.H.
- Just Like Home Family Daycare
- Kew’s Korner Pub
- Lurvey Construction
- Mama Alana’s Pantry
- Michigan Custom Framing and Art Conservation
- Nailz by Raquel
- Paul’s Pipe Shop & Pipe Hospital
- Queen’s Provisions
- Refinery Hair Co.
- Sunny Patch Learning Center
- Sunset Corals
- The Gym Fitness Center
- Vehicle City Sound
- Wandering Lantern Productions
Young Professional Leader Award: Recognizes a young professional 40 or younger making great strides to benefit their company and/or the community
- Amir Abu-Aita
- Jacob Abu-Aita
- Jordan Abu-Aita
- Rauheem al-Shakur
- Joshua Beaudry
- Nickxit Bhardwaj
- Chavonte Boyd
- Esha Brown
- Ashley Burns
- Kayla Davies
- Jakob Dones
- Aisha Harris
- Tova Jones
- Kennedy Lavelle
- AshleyCae Lee
- Joseph Luna II
- Hillary Marshall
- Jake May
- Taylor McClain
- Jonathan McKay
- Stephen Naughton
- Katelyn Palevich
- Hannah Rheingans
- Mariana Schlund
- Nicole Sheldon
- Kacy Tracy
- Alysia Treviño, CTA
- Daniel Vela
The following companies and individuals are nominees in the hospitality category:
Attraction of the Year: Awarded to a venue or attraction that continues to raise the bar, offering top-notch entertainment or programming to the community and visitors
- Friends of the Alley Alley Fest
- Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad
- Flint City Bucks / Flint City AFC
- Flint Drop Fest
- Flint Firebirds
- Flint Local 432
- Live At Carriage Town
- Midwest Invitational Rodeo
- Mott Community College Conference & Events Center
- The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren
- Mark Bonto’s The Funny Spot
- The Salvation Army L.I.F.E Center Gus Macker 3 on 3 World Tour Basketball Tournament
Bryant “BB” Nolden Community Champion: Recognizes an individual or organization that improves Flint & Genesee through community collaboration, advocacy, and engagement
- James Avery, CTA
- Denika Dalton
- Rodney Lontine
- Kevin Galloway II
- Claudnyse D. Holloman
- Jamie-Lee Venable
- Ryan Matthews
- Chia C. Morgan
- Theresa Sarhan
- Jeff Skigh
- Sophia Janell Taylor
- Sheryl Thompson
- Steven Tunnicliff
CTA of the Year: Recognizes an individual Flint & Genesee Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) who has gone above and beyond to promote the region, bring awareness to attractions, spread a hospitality-driven culture, and grow the CTA network
- Crystal M. Dillard, CTA
- Nicole Ferguson, CTA
- Tracy Krumm, CTA
- Jerin Sage, CTA
- Tracey Tucker, CTA
- Lewie Young, CTA
Hotel of the Year: Recognizes a hotel for outstanding service, comfort, and attention to hotel guests, providing an excellent overall experience
- Best Western Plus Flint Airport Inn & Suites
- Courtyard by Marriott Flint/Grand Blanc
- Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Flint Grand Blanc
- Hampton Inn & Suites Flint/Grand Blanc
- Hilton Garden Inn Flint Downtown
- Holiday Inn Express Flint-Campus Area
- Hyatt Place Flint/Grand Blanc
- Knob Hill Bed & Breakfast
- Residence Inn Flint/Grand Blanc
Restaurant of the Year: Recognizes a restaurant for their outstanding service, menu and overall experience of the customer
- Blackstone’s Smokehouse
- Blondie’s Food & Spirits
- Cork on Saginaw
- Nuevo Vallarta 2
- Sauce Italian American Kitchen
- Steady Eddy’s Cafe
- The Pig and The Hen
- The Poke Bowl
- Timothy’s Pub
- Trapper Joe’s Bar & Grill
- Trio Tavern & Grill
Frontline Ambassador of the Year: Recognizes outstanding customer service in the non-hotel areas of food service, bartender, transportation, business, etc.
- Gregory Ahejew, CTA, Flint Institute of Music
- Jerin Sage, CTA, The What’s Up Downtown Project, Flint Drop Fest, Sagency LLC
- Andrew Sartwell, Cork on Saginaw
- Alex Schaufele, Sloan Museum of Discovery
Hotel Ambassador of the Year: Recognizes a hospitality worker who has provided outstanding service in areas including, but not limited to, front desk, host, hostess, housekeeper, guest services, hotel restaurant, and maintenance
Best Western Plus Flint Airport Inn & Suites
- Jeanette Anderson, CTA
- Diana Baricska, CTA
- Shuronda Brown
- Lynn Burgess
- Faith Hale
- Keniesha Harris
- Matt Hensel
- Trey Hingtgen III
- Jessica McMillan
- Kyle McMillan
- Sam Muraeky
- Tameka Poole
Courtyard Flint/Grand Blanc
- Michelle Dunlap-Tucker
- Zeric Hutchinson
- Johnny Rodriguez
- Ashley Smallman
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Flint Grand Blanc
- Darrell Hagy
- Keosha Jackson
- Trevon Johnson
- Tiara Jones
- Elizabeth Morris, CTA
- Marissa Owneby
- Ebony Robinson
- Barbara Smith
- Haley Turner
- Karla Turner, CTA
Hilton Garden Inn Flint Downtown
- Ellen Bailey
- Tammy Beasley
- Nevaeh Bernard
- Marylynn Bingham
- Candy Champine
- Sheryl Champine, CTA
- Dwayne Corder
- Briana Crane-Jackson
- Danquisha Denson
- Meghan Dixon
- Angie Esquivel
- Crystal Flynn
- Dorothy Goldsberry
- Katelyn Hardina
- Chris Inman
- Jazzmin Jones
- Brandon Machnik
- Michael Magby
- Savannah Miller
- Alex Narducci
- Taylor Peoples
- Reosha Pope
- Kahliliah Robinson
- Pam Sanchez
- Jonathan Soto
- Matia White
- Lois Witek
- James Young
- Tayrn Young
Hyatt Place Flint/Grand Blanc
- Peru Alexander
- Melanie Cieslinski, CTA
- Sydnee Ledbetter
Knob Hill Bed & Breakfast
- Diana Phillips
Residence Inn Flint/Grand Blanc
- Bryan Hodge
- Michael Lacey
