Building Bridges: How Conexión, Puente, and Lazos Global Work Together to Empower Communities
September 30, 2025
Category: Southwest Detroit
A Resounding Project
May 17, 2023
Corktown Sounds & Corktown Sounds Benefit Concert
Summer is a time for festivals, and Corktown Sounds is one of the best!
Corktown Sounds is a weekly strolling outdoor music festival in Detroit, featuring local street musicians and buskers encouraging visitors to walk the Corktown neighborhood and support businesses. It’s held in partnership with the Corktown Business Association and features a diverse lineup of performers, including local artists as well as nationally-recognized musicians who are making their way through Detroit on tour.
Corktown Sounds has had two successful summers in 2021 and 2022. It looks like 2023 might look a little different than the first two years, but music will continue to fill Detroit all summer long. The festival is a great excuse to explore this historic neighborhood, which has been around since 1805. You’ll find restaurants, bars, shops, murals, and more!
Organizing such an event requires a lot of planning, coordination, and communication. Puente Cultural Integration excels in program development and events! We played a crucial role in making Corktown Sounds a reality by providing support in three key areas: communications, artist booking, and project management logistics.
The CBA provided a vision for Corktown Sounds and Puente established all of the infrastructure needed to have effective marketing and communications. In less than a month, we designed a basic branding package, developed a blog-based website, set-up the email info@corktownsounds.com, and launched social media channels (with no ad spend budget). We used our extensive network and communication resources to spread the word about Corktown Sounds and generate interest among the community. We created social media posts, email newsletters, and flyers to promote the event and encourage people to attend. Additionally, we worked closely with the artists and venues to ensure that all communications were clear and consistent and that everyone was on the same page regarding event details and logistics. We maintain the website and social media throughout the year, keeping the music festival alive and relevant with the extensive content library of photos and videos we took the previous summer.
Secondly, Puente Cultural Integration coordinated the artist booking. We created new connections within the local music scene to identify and book talented artists who could perform at Corktown Sounds. The reason we chose to work with Corktown on this project was so we could intentionally seek out diverse talent from neighboring areas (Southwest, Eastside, Westside) to ensure that all of Detroit would be represented. We were responsible for reaching out to musicians, bands, and performers, and negotiated contracts and fees. We also helped coordinate logistics such as sound equipment, strategic venues, and performance schedules, making sure that everything ran smoothly each week.
Finally, we provided support in areas such as budgeting, sponsorships, fundraising, focused on the big picture of where the festival might go in the future, and also ensuring that all the details were taken care of so that the event could be a success.
One Day, Three Locations, Six Bands was the tagline for the first-ever Corktown Sounds Benefit Concert, which took place on February 4th, 2023. The event took place at three different locations in Corktown: Nancy Whiskey, Lager House, and McShane’s.
The funds raised from the benefit concert significantly boosted Corktown Sounds, providing much-needed financial support to continue organizing the annual festival. The money will be used to cover expenses such as artist fees, production costs, and community outreach efforts. fundraiser
Thanks to the our partnership with the Corktown Business Association, Corktown Sounds was a huge accomplishment. The event drew a large and diverse crowd, and the performances were well-received by everyone in attendance. Everyone is excited for what is to come.
Through our work as a Detroit-based consulting agency, Puente Cultural Integration is helping to build stronger, more connected communities in Detroit and beyond by support the City’s diverse communities. The mission of Puente Cultural Integration is to provide and advocate for equitable resources and opportunities to immigrant and minority-owned businesses. We help to bridge the cultural and language gap between the Latinx/Hispanic community and agencies through inclusive program development, bilingual and culturally appropriate marketing strategies, Spanish-language services, workshops, individualized small business coaching, and cross-cultural consulting.
2022: A Year to Remember!
January 16, 2023
Puente Annual Report 2022
Eventos 2022
Durante el año 2022 tuvimos un índice de participación en nuestros eventos que nos sorprendió. Nos gustaría agradecer a quienes nos invitaron a su(s) evento(s), nos acompañaron, a los dueños de negocios que nos permitieron ser anfitriones en sus locales, a los panelistas que participaron y, sobre todo, a nuestros patrocinadores. Esto no hubiera sido posible sin todos ustedes. A continuación se muestran imágenes y un pequeño resúmen de algunos de los eventos del año anterior.
¡Estamos emocionados por lo que vendrá en 2023!
During 2022 we had an outstanding participation rate in our events. We would like to thank those who invited us to their event(s), joined us, the business owners who allowed us to host at their establishments, the panelists who participated, and most of all our sponsors. This would not have been possible without all of you. Below are pictures and link recaps of a few of the events from this previous year.
We are excited for what is to come in 2023!
Chelas & Cheers con Contratistas
Empezó con la idea de reunir a los contratistas y celebrar a aquellos que reciben su certificación en reducción de plomo, junto con los empleados de la ciudad que pueden ayudarlos. Sin embargo, este evento lo organizamos para reunir a todo tipo de emprendedores para establecer contactos y forjar nuevas relaciones mientras disfrutan de una bebida y comparten ideas.
¡Felicitaciones a los participantes de la reducción de plomo que recibieron su certificado en 2022!
May 3rd, 2022 at Los Altos Restaurant
October 4th, 2022 at La Palapa del Parian
December 21st, 2022 at La Posada Mexican Restaurant
Initiated in an attempt to bring contractors together and to celebrate those who receive their certification in Lead Abatement as well as city employees who can assist them. We hosts these to bring together every kind of entrepreneur to network and forge new relationships while enjoying a drink and sharing ideas.
Congratulations to the Lead Abatement partcipants who received their certificate in 2022!
Cheers! with Business Alianzas
El propósito es reunir a los miembros de Business Alianzas, así como a otros empresarios, para conocer dónde se encuentra su negocio y cómo podemos ayudarlos. Este es un buen momento para tomar un descanso y pasar el rato con otros. A veces tenemos invitados especiales quienes comparten información valiosa para los emprendedores.
January 18, 2022
at La Posada
August 24, 2022
Cheers to 50 Years!
Is meant to bring together Business Alianzas members as well as other entrepreneurs to learn about where their business stands and how we can help. This is a great time to take a break and hangout with others. Some times we have guest speakers who share predominant information with the entrepreneurs.
Cafecito with Business Alianzas
Cafecito con Business Alianzas es un evento trimestral de networking en la mañana para dueños de pequeñas empresas y líderes comunitarios en el suroeste de Detroit. Los eventos de Cafecito han sido patrocinados por Alliance Catholic Credit Union desde 2021. Estamos agradecidos por su continua coperación. Los Cafecitos trimestrales ya están programados para 2023: el primero se realizará el 24 de enero.
February • May • November
2022
Cafecito with Business Alianzas is a quarterly AM networking event for small business owners and community leaders in Southwest Detroit. Cafecito events have been sponsored by Alliance Catholic Credit Union since 2021. We are grateful for their continued partnership. Quarterly Cafecitos are scheduled for 2023 – the first one is coming up on January 24th.
Mercadito
A finales de 2021 iniciamos un evento en colaboración con El Artesano llamado Mercadito para promover las pequeñas empresas y ayudarlas a hacer crecer su negocio. En 2022 organizamos 2 Mercaditos y asistieron más de 30 vendedores. Planeamos continuar con estas ventanas para ayudar a otros proveedores.
Toward the end of 2021 we initiated a pop-up event in collaboration with El Artesano called Mercadito to promote small businesses and help them grow their business. In 2022 we hosted 2 Mercaditos & had more than 30 vendors who attended. We plan to continue these pop-ups to help other vendors.
Develop with Business Alianzas /
Bilingual Bootcamp Credito Commercial
El propósito de este evento bilingüe es ayudar a los dueños de negocios a conocer las diferentes formas en que pueden aumentar su crédito comercial. Los panelistas, banqueros y prestamistas se unen a nosotros durante estos eventos para brindar más información sobre cómo pueden ayudar o cómo y por qué es importante el crédito comercial.
The purpose of the Bilingual Bootcamp & Develop with Business Alianzas is to help business owners learn about the different ways that they can grow their business credit. Panelists, bankers, and lenders join us during these events to provide more information about how they can help or how/why business credit is important.
Charlas
Estamos ofreciendo Charlas virtuales breves en español o bilingües de temas para emprendimiento durante todo el año. Se puede conectar por zoom a cualquier de las Charlas con este enlace de Zoom: bit.ly/micharla
We also offer short (bilingual or Spanish only) virtual presentations about entrepreneurial topics throughout the year. You can connect by zoom to any of the Charlas with this link: bit.ly/micharla
Lead Abatement classes have been a success!
Durante el año tuvimos 70 participantes y ayudamos a certificar a 59 de ellos; esperamos ayudar a certificar más en 2023. Las clases fueron de forma gratuita para los residentes de Detroit y contratistas que trabajan o planean trabajar con la ciudad de Detroit. Aparte de completar todo el papeleo, nuestro equipo se comunicó con la ciudad y el estado para programar las fechas de clases y exámenes. Nos gustaría agradecer a todos los contratistas que participaron en estas clases, los inspectores estatales y los empleados estatales que nos ayudaron a hacer esto posible.
We had 70 participants and helped certify 59 of them and look forward to helping certify more in 2023. Classes were provided free of charge to Detroit residents and to other contractors who are working or planning to work with the city of Detroit. Our team helped fill out all of the paperwork and had communication with the city and state to schedule the class and exam dates. We would like to thank all the contractors who participated in these classes, state inspectors, and the state employees who helped us make this possible.
Small Business Gala
“The Small Business Ethnic and Minority Media Appreciation Dinner on Wednesday, September 7th, 2022 brought together micro-business owners, Black and Brown community leaders and our Metro Detroit ethnic press together to network and celebrate at one of the most prestigious locations in the midwest, the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Our incredible team spent weeks inviting and confirming the guest list for this free event. Puente is so thrilled to have partnered with the Latino Press Foundation to host this celebration of our small businesses in Southeastern Michigan. I am so proud and grateful for my staff!”… Keep Reading
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU IN OUR 2023 EVENTS
TE ESPERAMOS EN NUESTROS EVENTOS DEL 2023
Grand Re-Opening: Danto Furniture
November 8, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2022
Southwest Detroit Retail Icon, Danto Furniture, Moves Location;
Celebrating Four Generations of Service to Greater Detroit with Ribbon-Cutting
Saturday, November 12, 2022 Special Community Event is Scheduled for 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
7741 Dix Street, Detroit, MI, 48209;
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, City Officials, other Dignitaries
Invited to Participate in 4:00 p.m. Ceremonies
DETROIT, Mich. – Where were you in 1940? Watching the Detroit Tigers win the American League Pennant? Keeping a close eye on Europe and Japan? Or, perhaps, going to the neighborhood theatre to plunk down $.15 to see Walt Disney’s animated masterpiece, “Fantasia”?
However, most likely, if you were young family man Julius Danto, you were at the kitchen table putting together plans to build a business that would – eventually – go far beyond your expectations. The Lithuanian-Jewish immigrant was determined to make it in America and help others along the way while doing so. Julius opened Danto Furniture in 1940 in Southwest Detroit and the Danto family has never looked back – only forward.
Danto Furniture employs a multi-lingual staff who are fluent in English, Arabic and Spanish and has satisfied customers throughout metro Detroit, including Allen Park, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Ecorse, Hamtramck, Inkster, Lincoln Park, Melvindale, Redford, River Rouge, Riverview, Romulus, Southgate, Trenton, Wayne, Wixom, Woodhaven, Wyandotte and Ypsilanti.
Current General Manager and 3rd generation Danto, Irwin Danto, said: “I think one of the most important reasons that Danto Furniture has thrived for more than 80 years is because of our dedication to serving others and doing the right thing. My grandfather Julius understood that he was not the only immigrant who had come to this country; nor he realized, was he the only immigrant who needed a hand-up. In many cases, Danto Furniture has been among the first stops for newly arriving immigrants; and we are proud of that.”
The celebration promises to be nothing less than a party. Danto Furniture will offer up to 40% discounts on furniture and appliances; children’s face painting, balloons, popcorn, piñatas, Delia’s Food Truck, cuisine from restaurant El Nacimiento, grocery store E & L Supermercado; and Postres y Delicias by Dianys Salinas.
Danto Furniture Re-Grand Opening
Ribbon Cutting
Ashley Danto, Irwin’s daughter, who works in Sales and Marketing, said: “I have been working in the business on and off for the past 8 years and I’m in awe of my grandfather Charles Danto, current owner and family patriarch. His work ethic and energy – even at 92 years old – is amazing. He has been in the store 6 days a week , pretty much every week, since he was 19 years old. He is the best salesperson we have; everyone is always looking to talk to “Charlie” and when he is not in the building you can feel the difference.”
Event sponsors and co-hosts include Business Alianzas, The Southwest Detroit Business Association, and the West Vernor & Springwells Business Improvement District.
Chelas con Contratistas 4.Oct.2022
October 3, 2022
This was one of our most successful events since we launched Business Alianzas (post-COVID).
Almost 60 attendees joined us for Cheers! and Chelas on October 4th, 2022 from 5-7:30pm + after party! The Puente Team registered 17 Immigrant contractors for our upcoming Bilingual Lead Abatement Training in November.
The Bilingual Panel: Resources & Opportunities (Recursos y Oportunidades) was very well received.
We broadcast the panel live on Puente Facebook. You can watch the video here:
Bridget Espinosa, Puente CEO was the moderator:
- Steve Cato, City of Detroit HRD – Chief Compliance Inspector
- Sonia Alvarado, City of Detroit HRD – Lead Inspector
- Patrick Beal, Detroit Training Center – CEO
- Melissa Rios, Detroit Land Bank – Procurement Manager
In addition, we were featured on the front page of El Central Hispanic News on Thursday October 6, 2022.
Un artículo bilingüe fue publicado en la portada de El Central Hispanic News el jueves 6 de octubre, 2022.
El equipo de Puente actualmente está inscribiendo para sus próximos cursos bilingües que se llevarán a cabo del 7 al 11 de noviembre del 2022 y nuevamente en febrero. La fecha límite para inscribirse es el 17 de octubre. Todos los trabajadores de habla hispana en Metro Detroit son elegibles para presentar una solicitud.
Se puede encontrar más información en businessalianzas.org/events
o comunicándose con
la Gerente General de Puente
Yazmin Payan, al 313-349-0089 o por correo electrónico a team@puenteci.com.
Original Invitation:
Únase a nosotros con una merecida bebida después del trabajo el martes 4 de octubre. 🍻🍸🍹 Tendremos Cheers con Business Alianzas seguido por Chelas con Contratistas
📍 La Palapa (1633 Lawndale St, Detroit, MI 48209)
Agenda:
- 5:00-6:00 pm Cheers! con Business Alianzas
- 6:00-7:00 pm Chelas con Contratistas
- Panel Bilingüe: “Recursos y oportunidades”
Expertos hablarán sobre los recursos y oportunidades disponibles para aquellos que están certificados en reducción de plomo. - Registro para la reducción de plomo noviembre de 2022
- Panel Bilingüe: “Recursos y oportunidades”
—————————————————————————
Contractors, don’t miss out on this networking event!
Join us for a well-deserved drink after work on Tuesday, October 4th. 🍻🍸🍹 We will be hosting Cheers with Business Alianzas followed by Chelas con Contratistas (Beers with Builders)
📍 La Palapa (1633 Lawndale St, Detroit, MI 48209)
Agenda:
- 5:00-6:00 pm Cheers with Business Alianzas
- 6:00-7:30 pm Chelas con Contratistas
- 6:30-7:15 pm Panel Bilingüe: “Recursos y Oportunidades”
Experts will talk about the resources and opportunities available to those who are certified in Lead Abatement. - Registration for Lead Abatement Nov 2022
- 6:30-7:15 pm Panel Bilingüe: “Recursos y Oportunidades”
Recap: Events 2021
January 29, 2022
Business Alianzas is an organization that was launched by the Puente Team on February 7, 2021. The purpose of this organization is to provide entrepreneurs with the help they may need to build a successful business. From assisting them in registering their LLC to filing their EIN to connecting them with other services and resources necessary such as accounting, banking, insurance, and more.
During 2021, Business Alianzas organized a series of virtual and in-person events to promote thriving conversations and the creation of successful business-related collaborations. It was a difficult year for networking; however, we managed to gather with entrepreneurs, always following CDC guidelines.
Entrepreneurial Education
Workshops & Webinars
Our Workshops, Webinars and Cohort events were all designed to contribute with the formation of knowledge around business related topics. For example, our Women Certification Cohort helped women get certified and register their business as women-owned. This will allow them to receive more benefits for their business. Our first session of the Women Certification Cohort took place via Zoom on July 14, 21, & 28. The second session was in-person at Latino Press on August 4, 11, & 18.
In the month of March 2022, we plan to relaunch Serie de Emprendimiento which is a course provided in Spanish made up of workshops that help new entrepreneurs start their business and walks them through the process. Nevertheless, this course is also for those who already have a business as it helps them stabilize or grow their business.
In-Person Networking Events
Some of our biggest networking events yet were Women Alianzas which took place on June 30th and Q3 Develop with Business Alianzas which took place on August 15th. Our Women Alianzas event focused mainly on bringing female entrepreneurs together to create new bonds. This event initiated the Women-Owned Certification Cohort. Our other event was more of a family event. Entrepreneurs were encouraged to bring family and friends to spend time together. We had live music and food for everyone to enjoy. We truly appreciate El Artesano Juice & Café Bar for allowing us to host this and other events at their establishment.
Monthly Events:
Cafecito & Cheers! with Business Alianzas
Our Cafecito and Cheers! with Business Alianzas events were crafted to remove the formality of business meetings, and get to know the humans behind the companies of our community. Furthermore, we updated entrepreneurs on exciting news and other information relevant to their interests. We encourage you to join us at our next Cheers! with Business Alianzas & Chelas con Contratistas which will both take place at La Posada market in Southwest Detroit on January 18th. Our next Cafecito will be on February 25th at Alliance Catholic Credit Union.
We want to thank Latino Press, Alliance Catholic Credit Union , and Chilango’s Bakery for partnering with us for these events.
Launch Events
Corktown Sounds gathered musicians and performers from all different backgrounds in a unique street festival that took place every Thursday afternoon from August 5th – September 23rd. This outdoor event allowed everyone in the city to come out and enjoy the different styles of music in a COVID friendly environment. Corktown Sounds is expected to come back in the summer of 2022 so stay tuned! We would like to thank the Corktown Business Association for partnering with us to make this event possible.
Mercadito opened the possibility to connect amazing vendors with new customers in a familiar environment. Additionally, they were able to create relationships with the other vendors and support each others’ businesses. Big thank you to El Artesano Juice & Café Bar for allowing us to host this event at their establishment.
Business Alianzas is all about forging meaningful connections among the bright spots in our community. Our goal is to help current and upcoming entrepreneurs develop their business by hosting even more valuable events in 2022.
Come and join us, we want to hear from you!
Bilingual Outreach
July 17, 2021
Puente Cultural Integration, LLC is the leading bilingual consulting agency in the State of Michigan supporting Hispanic small businesses and providing coaching to startups in the City of Detroit. We have worked with over a dozen agencies providing program development, project management, and as consultants to nonprofit organizations and governmental departments. Our most important work is helping immigrant business owners formalize their business practices. We start each day determining which businesses need our help.
We have a unique and multi-faceted approach to outreach to the immigrant communities we serve. Puente provided direct, door-to-door outreach to the West Vernor & Springwells Business Improvement District in Southwest Detroit from 2017-2021. During the pandemic, we shifted to direct phone calls, many months making up to 500 calls to ensure that business owners knew of the most recent changes to COVID-19 protocols, grants, and resources.
We currently have a mailing list of over 1000 email contacts, over 500 phone numbers, and we have over 100 direct clients that we are coaching through Business Alianzas.
