About Us
Ross & Contemporaries, LLC is a company that specializes in urban youth/young adult enrichment, connection outreach, career pathways, and program planning/development.
This presentation will highlight efforts outreaching to minorities in poor areas of Detroit, and getting them involved in forestry and natural resources through programs and hands-on experiences. I will discuss how I got involve in this effort and getting minorities youth involves in the various hands-on programs and the importance of follow-up with youth. I will also be sharing some success stories.
MEET THE PRESIDENT
Bruce has over 35 years experience of in leisure services, natural resources, and urban career pathways experience. A graduate of Wayne State University, he received his Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation. He is also a graduate of the University of Michigan Leadership 21 Program of Excellence Academy. Bruce has spent over 15 years as Recreation and Facilities Director for the Charter Township of Van Buren securing over $3,000,000 in an alternative fund for programs such as Municipal Career Pathways and facility upgrades. He is also the former field chief for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division. As the first African American to serve in this capacity for the MDNR, he was responsible for 102 Michigan States Parks, 1400 Boating Access Sites, 2100 Marinas, and over 200 State Forest Campgrounds. To increase diversity and awareness in the natural resources profession, he was one of the organizers of the MDNR’S Summer Youth Employment Program sponsored by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. The program was implemented was/is implemented in the urban cities of Flint, Pontiac, Saginaw, and Detroit. He is currently Executive Board Director of the Metro Detroit Youth Day/Michigan Youth Appreciation Foundation, Executive Board Member of the Green Door Initiative, Board Member of The Take 1 Community Program, The Detroit River Project Board of Directors, Past Board Member of the Tindal Activity Center, Past Diverse Cultures/Ethnic Minority Chair for Mparks, Past President (only the 4th African American President) of Mparks. He has received numerous national and state awards.
Bruce is a past Young Professional of the Year Award from the National Recreation & Park Association Ethnic Minority Society, was the recipient of the Mparks Young Professional and Commitment to Excellence Awards, and received the Mparks highest honor given to a Mparks member who consistently demonstrates significant outreach investments(diversity), support and guidance to fellow professionals.
Two years ago, he received the Youth Connections Outstanding Service Award and in 2015 and 2021 he received the Michigan Youth Appreciation Foundation Distinguish Award for outstanding service and inspiring youth to do their best. Bruce was featured two years ago in the Mparks quarterly magazine titled, “Urban Recreation in Detroit” and assisted the MDNR 4 years ago to develop a Career Pathways Initiative to recruit and expose diverse populations to natural resources careers. He has also partnered with Michigan State University, Michigan Technical University, the University of Michigan, and MUST Skill Trades on minority career pathways outreach. Increasing Diversity through.....RELENTLESS COLLABORATION ACTION IS BRUCE’S MISSION.
