Business

Michigan Chronicle opens nominations for Metro Detroit’s best and brightest “40 Under 40”

MICHIGAN CHRONICLE — As the late Aaliyah emphasized in one of her hit songs, “Age ain’t nothing but a number.” This old saying proves especially true in Metro Detroit, where many individuals under the age of 40 are doing remarkable things to advance the region and its people. There are literally thousands of young people under 40 who are positively impacting all sectors of greater Detroit, making a vast difference in their communities. Many are cultural trailblazers pushing the envelope in journalism, fashion, music and the arts. They are also blazing trails of achievements in law, education, medicine and finance.

Published

7 years ago

June 30, 2019

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By The Michigan Chronicle.

As the late Aaliyah emphasized in one of her hit songs, “Age ain’t nothing but a number.” This old saying proves especially true in Metro Detroit, where many individuals under the age of 40 are doing remarkable things to advance the region and its people. There are literally thousands of young people under 40 who are positively impacting all sectors of greater Detroit, making a vast difference in their communities. Many are cultural trailblazers pushing the envelope in journalism, fashion, music and the arts. They are also blazing trails of achievements in law, education, medicine and finance.

Additionally, the contributions of some in business, corporate affairs, non-profits and government sectors have been exceptional. The entrepreneurial spirit has driven still others to bring their dreams to fruition. It would be difficult to identify and salute all of the individuals in Southeast Michigan under the age of 40 who are achieving great things. Nevertheless, the Michigan Chronicle, for the past six years, has honored 40 of the most accomplished, inspirational individuals under 40. In the past, nominations have reached upwards of 400, and narrowing them down to 40 is always challenge.

This year, the Michigan Chronicle is preparing for 500-plus nominations as the city booms with new businesses, new residents, new artists, new non-profits, new corporate leaders and new entrepreneurs.

The Michigan Chronicle is now accepting nominations for the 2019 40 Under 40 awards. These men and women are visionaries in their given fields and inspire those around them to go beyond the norm and strive for the exceptional.

Submit your nominations by visiting here. Nominations close July 12, 2019.

This article originally appeared in the Michigan Chronicle.

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Oakland Post: Week of March 4 – 10, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 4 – 10, 2026

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Oakland Post: Week of February 25 – March 3, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 25 – March 3, 2026

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Chase Oakland Community Center Hosts Alley-Oop Accelerator Building Community and Opportunity for Bay Area Entrepreneurs

Over the past three years, the Alley-Oop Accelerator has helped more than 20 Bay Area businesses grow, connect, and gain meaningful exposure. The program combines hands-on training, mentorship, and community-building to help participants navigate the legal, financial, and marketing challenges of small business ownership.

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3 weeks ago

February 21, 2026

Oakland Post

Bay Area entrepreneurs attend the Alley-Oop Accelerator, a small business incubation program at Chase Oakland Community Center. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Golden State Warriors and Chase bank hosted the third annual Alley-Oop Accelerator this month, an empowering eight-week program designed to help Bay Area entrepreneurs bring their visions for business to life.

The initiative kicked off on Feb. 12 at Chase’s Oakland Community Center on Broadway Street, welcoming 15 small business owners who joined a growing network of local innovators working to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

At its core, the accelerator is designed to create an ecosystem of collaboration, where local entrepreneurs can learn from one another while accessing the resources of a global financial institution.

“This is our third year in a row working with the Golden State Warriors on the Alley-Oop Accelerator,” said Jaime Garcia, executive director of Chase’s Coaching for Impact team for the West Division. “We’ve already had 20-plus businesses graduate from the program, and we have 15 enrolled this year. The biggest thing about the program is really the community that’s built amongst the business owners — plus the exposure they’re able to get through Chase and the Golden State Warriors.”

According to Garcia, several graduates have gone on to receive vendor contracts with the Warriors and have gained broader recognition through collaborations with JPMorgan Chase.

“A lot of what Chase is trying to do,” Garcia added, “is bring businesses together because what they’ve asked for is an ecosystem, a network where they can connect, grow, and thrive organically.”

This year’s Alley-Oop Accelerator reflects that vision through its comprehensive curriculum and emphasis on practical learning. Participants explore the full spectrum of business essentials including financial management, marketing strategy, and legal compliance, while also preparing for real-world experiences such as pop-up market events.

Each entrepreneur benefits from one-on-one mentoring sessions through Chase’s Coaching for Impact program, which provides complimentary, personalized business consulting.

Garcia described the impact this hands-on approach has had on local small business owners. He recalled one candlemaker, who, after participating in the program, was invited to provide candles as gifts at Chase events.

“We were able to help give that business exposure,” he explained. “But then our team also worked with them on how to access capital to buy inventory and manage operations once those orders started coming in. It’s about preparation. When a hiccup happens, are you ready to handle it?”

The Coaching for Impact initiative, which launched in 2020 in just four cities, has since expanded to 46 nationwide.

“Every business is different,” Garcia said. “That’s why personal coaching matters so much. It’s life-changing.”

Participants in the 2026 program will each receive a $2,500 stipend, funding that Garcia said can make an outsized difference. “It’s amazing what some people can do with just $2,500,” he noted. “It sounds small, but it goes a long way when you have a plan for how to use it.”

For Chase and the Warriors, the Alley-Oop Accelerator represents more than an educational initiative, it’s a pathway to empowerment and economic inclusion. The program continues to foster lasting relationships among the entrepreneurs who, as Garcia put it, “build each other up” through shared growth and opportunity.

“Starting a business is never easy, but with the right support, it becomes possible, and even exhilarating,” said Oscar Lopez, the senior business consultant for Chase in Oakland.