(Edited
from a story by Dave Herndon, The News-Herald Newspapers)
Larry
Wright, Kennedy High School Class of 1966, was recently honored by the United
Nations.
LaunchDETROIT
was kickstarted in 2013 by the members of Rotary District 6400, which at the
time was lead by Wright. Wright was the district governor at the time, and
remains an active member of the Taylor Rotary Club.
LaunchDETROIT
is a multi-faceted micro loan program designed to support and develop
entrepreneurs and small businesses in under-resourced communities in the metro
Detroit region.
On
November 12, Wright was one of six Rotarians from around the world, and the
only recipient from North America, to receive Rotary’s Responsible Business
recognition during Rotary Day at the United Nations.
“Larry’s
leadership as founding chair of LaunchDETROIT has helped to generate
international interest in a program that is serving as a model for other cities
in the U.S., including Atlanta, Ga., Raleigh, N.C.; and Rotary Club of
Southeast Chicago; and around the world,” said Sue Goldsen, 2016-17 governor of
Rotary District 6400, which includes 48 clubs in southeast Michigan and
southwest Ontario.
“This
award also brings a great deal of positive attention to what’s happening in
Detroit and how Rotary volunteers are working to make an impact locally.”
The
LaunchDETROIT program does more than give out small loans, it also includes 10
weeks of free business training through Baker College of Allen Park, assigns
business mentors and networking opportunities. The loans are worth up to
$2,500.
“I
can’t begin to tell you what an honor it is to be recognized with this award,
but it truly belongs to a group of dedicated Rotarians, many of whom are
entrepreneurs and business owners themselves,” Wright said.
In
addition to Baker College of Allen Park, other partners of LaunchDETROIT
include Level One Bank, Presbytery of Detroit, Michigan Women’s Foundation, and
clubs within Rotary District 6400.
