Salute Awards Wall of Fame: A List of Past Winners

TechTown Detroit’s Salute Awards are presented at Toast of the Town, our annual fundraiser celebrating Detroit’s entrepreneurs and the role we play in creating a truly equitable economy. 

The names of the awards may have changed, but the intention has always been the same: to recognize individuals, businesses and community builders for their embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirit and leveraging the many resources found at TechTown and across Detroit’s small business community. 

Take a journey with us through the years to see the incredible Salute Award winners honored at Toast of the Town.  

Image of the Salute Award Winners and Ned Staebler 2023

2023

Maria Mendez
Marlowe Stoudamire Small Business Champion

Jerome Brown and Sam VanBuren, Detroit Soul
Salute Award

Lydia Michael, Blended Collective
Salute Award

Achsha Jones, TripSlip
Salute Award

2022

Chanell Scott Contreras 
Marlowe Stoudamire Small Business Champion

Maribel Martinez, Mangonadas del Barrio 
Salute Award 

M. Kay Willingham, Art in Motion 
Salute Award 

Keith Young, Sr., Ecotek Lab 
Salute Award

Candice Fortman, Outlier Media 
People’s Choice Salute Award 

2021

Carla Walker-Miller 
Marlowe Stoudamire Small Business Champion

Javier Evelyn, Alerje 
Salute Award 

Juan Carlos Dueweke-Pérez, Featherstone 
Salute Award 

Raquel Ramirez de Lozano, El Popo Market 
Salute Award

Robin Wright King and Dr. Ali Bazzi, Urban Docz 
People’s Choice Salute Award 

2020

Pam Lewis 
Marlowe Stoudamire Small Business Champion

Darryl Humes and DeKoven Humes, Mature 
TechTown on Tap Salute Award 

Danielle Smith Parker, Detroit Maid 
TechTown on Tap Salute Award 

2019

Suzanne Shank 
Entrepreneur of the Year 

Invest Detroit 
Small Business Champion 

Sean Carroll and Ramy Habib, Enbiologics 
TechTown on Tap Technology Business Salute Award 

Mashelle Sykes, Fusion Flare Kitchen & Cocktails 
TechTown on Tap Neighborhood Business Salute Award 

2018

Nailah Ellis-Brown, Ellis Island Tea 
Entrepreneur of the Year 

Monica Wheat, Venture Catalysts 
Small Business Champion of the Year 

Ali Beydoun, Sicily’s Pizzeria 
TechTown on Tap Neighborhood Business Salute Award 

Joe Gleason, Genus
TechTown on Tap Technology Business Salute Award 

2017

Century Partners 
Entrepreneur of the Year 

Global Detroit 
Small Business Champion of the Year 

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan 
Special Salute Award 

Eric Yelsma and Brenna Lane, Detroit Denim Co. 
TechTown on Tap Neighborhood Business Salute Award 

2016

Sean Ainsworth and RetroSense Therapeutics 
TechTown Entrepreneur of the Year 

James Edward Feagin IV 
Small Business Champion of the Year 

Lana Rodriguez, Mama Coo’s Boutique 
TechTown On Tap Neighborhood Business Salute Award 

Regina Gaines, House of Pure Vin 
TechTown on Tap Neighborhood Business Salute Award 

Omer Kiyani, Sentinl 
TechTown on Tap Technology Business Salute Award 

In 2020, TechTown renamed the Small Business Champion Award in honor of Detroit community leader, entrepreneur and business strategist Marlowe Stoudamire. The Marlowe Stoudamire Small Business Champion Award is now presented annually to an individual or organization that exemplifies Stoudamire’s entrepreneurial spirit and legacy of building community to create opportunity for all Detroiters.