My City June 2022

PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF Vince Lorraine

F R O M T H E P U B L I S H E R

E D I T O R I A L MANAGING EDITOR Sherron Barden

A R T & D E S I G N GRAPHIC DESIGNER Brett LaCross

DEAR READERS, I’m very excited about this magazine! In addition to announcing the 2022 City’s Choice Award Winners (p.14), there’s much, much more to enjoy this month. I often get comments from subscribers about the great variety in My City . at is the result of having a team dedicated to developing content that is relevant, engaging and fun. Speaking of “team players,” we created a special section for the June issue that highlights 2022 Top Athletes from Genesee County high schools. We appreciate the participating schools for helping us honor these outstanding kids! Check it out starting on p.40. e word “outstanding” might be overused, but it certainly ‰ts when describing our story subjects. On the cover is the new Flint Public Library – maybe spectacular is a better word! We have details starting on p.18. And, the community recently honored Attorney Shelley Spivack, a longtime legal system advocate for Genesee County children, for her continued work on behalf of Greater Flint kids (see p.6). Also, award winning WNEM TV5 News Anchor (and multiple City’s Choice honoree) David Custer shares his inspiring journey; it’s a great read (p.8). Our popular “7 Questions” feature highlights Brian Waldron, new CEO of Dort Financial Credit Union, a big supporter of many local causes. Learn a bit about him on p.12. If that was not enough, we pro‰le the Honorable Mark C. McCabe – a respected, veteran Genesee County adjudicator. What was his ‰rst career choice? at story starts on p.24. Okay, let’s talk about a reader-favorite subject: food! Since 1996, Redwood Steakhouse & Brewery has been a go-to place for a top-quality meal in a unique atmosphere. My family has had many memorable celebrations there. Executive Chef Luis Fernandes gives us the history on p.30. (WARNING: don’t read the “My Eats” feature if you’re hungry!) Wrapping up the content is a new “My Style” piece contributed by Shannon White, co-founder of the she-powered Downtown retail business, SHIFT. If you’ve seen these gals about town, you know they’ve got great style! Check it out on p.38. Flint ’s got outstanding people, food, style and our ten pages of local “Haps” exhibits all that and more. Enjoy! anks for reading,

ASSISTANT EDITOR / WR ITER Peter Hinterman

WEB DEVELOPER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jonathan Boedecker

STAFF WR ITER Cheryl Denni son

PHOTOGRAPHY Katy Ki ldee Jaden Moxlow

FREELANCE WR ITERS Mark Spezia

O P E R A T I O N S

CONTR IBUTING WR ITERS Er in Caudel l Dr. Christopher Douglas Vera Hogan Joel P. Lagore Alexandr ia Nolan Les l ie Toldo Shannon Whi te

ACCOUNTING/CI RCULATION Kim Davi s

NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Dan Garman

S A L E S

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Terese Al len

5152 COMMERCE RD. FLINT, MI 48507 810.230.1783 ª MYCITYMAG.COM ISSN#1559-3436 is published monthly by My City Magazine, Inc., 5152 Commerce Rd., Flint, MI 48507. Canadian Mail Agreement #41971515. For back issues, inquire for availability. Editorial Cor respondence: Address product information and inquiries to: Editorial Department, My City Magazine, 5152 Commerce Rd., Flint, MI 48507, phone 810.230.1783. To authors, photographers, and people featured in this publication: All materials, articles, reports and photographs in this publication are the property of My City Magazine and cannot be used without written permission. Že opinions and conclu sions recited herein are those of the respective authors and not of My City Magazine. My City Magazine is not responsible for returning unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or other materials. Every e‘ort will be made however, to return rejected manuscripts, etc., if they are accompanied by su“cient ”rst-class postage, but the publisher will not be responsible for any loss of such material. Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved. | Printed in U.S.A.

VINCE LORRAINE PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF VINCE@MYCITYMAG.COM

COVER PHOTO BY KATY KILDEE