3 leaders honored with 2023 Shining Light Awards

Three change-makers were recognized Thursday for the mark they've made in their communities — improving the lives of children in foster care, spurring the artistic talents of Detroit youth and keeping kids in school.

More than 100 people gathered to celebrate their achievements at the 16th Shining Light Awards, presented by the Detroit Free Press and the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, which honors individuals doing their part to build regional cooperation, progress and understanding in southeast Michigan.

The awards are named after Neal Shine, the longtime editor and publisher of the Free Press, who died in 2007. Shine started at the Free Press as a copy boy and moved up the ranks during his four decades at the paper as reporter, columnist, senior managing editor and publisher. Shine was well-known for his love of Detroit and his mission to bridge divides in the region.

“We celebrate the accomplishments of remarkable leaders who inspire us to work together to make our region a better place to live, to work and play, conduct business and to raise our families," Nicole Avery Nichols, editor of the Detroit Free Press, said at the awards ceremony at The Mint at Michigan First Conference Center in Lathrup Village. "The many nominations we receive tell us that there is a bottomless supply of shining light stories in our communities. The three we honor today are exceptional leaders who stood out among a field of worthy candidates.”

The three awards are presented to leaders who exemplify the qualities of their namesakes: the Dave Bing Young Leader Award, for the former Detroit mayor and NBA star; the Eleanor Josaitis Unsung Hero Award, for the late co-founder of Focus: HOPE, and the Neal Shine Award for Exemplary Regional Leadership.

“As many of you know, MAC is a unique coalition built on the principles — these are weird principles today — cooperation and collaboration. But they're important. They matter," said U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, who is co-chair of the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition. "Virtues we need to be striving for now more than ever, that we need to be mentoring young people, showing examples, bringing people together."

The event was hosted by Carol Cain, of the Free Press and CBS 62, and Roop Raj, anchor at WJBK-TV Fox 2 Detroit.

Learn more about the 2023 Shining Light Award winners:

Neal Shine Award for Exemplary Regional Leadership

Throughout her career, former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Maura Corrigan had a passion for improving the lives of children and social services.

Corrigan served on the Michigan Supreme Court for more than a decade before becoming the director of the Michigan Department of Human Services. She previously worked as a prosecuting attorney in Wayne County and chief of appeals in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. She rose to become the chief assistant U.S. attorney — the first woman to hold that post.

Corrigan pushed for change in the foster care system and was lauded for her ability to work with different branches of government in her work.

"I've had a wonderful life full of extraordinary opportunities, particularly in the field of child welfare. I've had the chance to give voice to the voiceless," Corrigan said during Thursday's ceremony.

More: Former Chief Justice Maura Corrigan receives Neal Shine award for leadership

Eleanor Josaitis Unsung Hero Award

Anthony White, the artistic director of the Detroit Youth Choir and Performing Arts Company, brought the talents of Detroit students to the national stage and garnered local support and recognition for the students.

White started leading the choir in 2001, when he said it had seven members. White has grown the organization into three different choirs as it educates students ages 8 to 18 in music, dance and theatrical arts.

In 2019, the Detroit Youth Choir (DYC) got a coveted golden buzzer on "America's Got Talent," from host Terry Crews, helping the choir progress to the show's finals. The group earned second place. White has directed more than 1,000 metro Detroit youth and helped them develop their skills.

He studied music at Marygrove College, which is where the choir is now based.

“We have our own style and we're instilling our style into these young people so they can become future leaders and citizens of this world. Because we want that, we want scholarship students, we want future doctors, lawyers and everything like that," White said.

More: Shining Light award recognizes Anthony White for his work with Detroit Youth Choir

Dave Bing Young Leader Award

Sharnese Marshall, founder and CEO of The Konnection, wants to see Detroit students thrive.

The nonprofit is on mission to keep students in school, improve their performance and enrich their lives through mentorship opportunities. Marshall grew up with parents who were pastors, whom she credits with making service an integral part of her life. Her goal: help the next generation of Detroiters rise up.

Her nonprofit's Konnection Kloset offers students personal hygiene supplies, clothing and pantry items — 250 students participated in the last year. The Konnection Klub for middle school students offers mentoring, tutoring, field trips and opportunities to explore careers. The nonprofit helps identify the individual challenges families face, including transportation or laundry, and works with them to find solutions.

“Our goal is to truly ensure that they have the tools, resources, encouragement and exposure that they need to thrive and succeed in any area of life," Marshall said. "So, as we gather here today, let us all remember the power of a warm embrace, the power of true support and the power of being a light in every room that you walk in because you never know who's watching you. Let us continue to work together to ensure that every child or person, for that matter, has everything they need to succeed.”

More: Sharnese Marshall, 2023 Shining Light Award winner, 'konnects' kids to keep them in school

Free Press staff writers Paul Egan, Julie Hinds and Jennifer Brookland contributed to this report.

Contact Nushrat Rahman: nrahman@freepress.com; 313-348-7558. Follow her on Twitter: @NushratR.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 3 leaders honored with 2023 Shining Light Awards