LIVONIA, MI [January 28, 2026]— Great Lakes Women’s Business Council is proud to announce Akil Alvin, Founder and Global Chief Creative Officer of Detroit Digital Media, as a Marketing Pillar Instructor for its Trusted Connector program. In this role, Alvin will guide cohorts of business owners, sharing practical marketing strategies to strengthen brand visibility, storytelling, and market positioning. “We are incredibly excited to welcome Akil to the Trusted Connector program. He brings a wealth of practical, real-time coaching that business owners can immediately apply to their marketing and growth efforts. His ability to translate strategy into action will be a tremendous asset to our cohorts,” said Shawntay Dixon, Senior Director, Education and Program Operations at Great Lakes Women’s Business Council.
The Trusted Connector Program is a place-based initiative that equips local business owners with essential skills, expert guidance, and meaningful connections to support business growth. Supported through a partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the program brings instructors together with small business cohorts and concludes with opportunities for participants to pursue individual grants and receive membership support to join their local chambers of commerce. Akil Alvin is the Founder and Global Chief Creative Officer of Detroit Digital Media, where he leads brand strategy and storytelling for ambitious companies through innovative digital marketing. Since founding the agency in 2013, Alvin has worked with globally recognized brands including The Walt Disney Company, De Beers, and Coca-Cola, earning national recognition for his creative leadership, including a Forbes 30 Under 30 honor, an Emmy Award, and multiple Telly Awards.
About Great Lakes Women’s Business Council Great Lakes Women’s Business Council (Great Lakes WBC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing small business growth and success. Under the Great Lakes WBC umbrella, the organization operates an award-winning Women’s Business Center of Excellence, serves as the regional certifying body for women-owned businesses through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), and expands access to capital through CEED Lending. Great Lakes WBC represents more than 1,500 WBENC-certified women-owned businesses and partners with over 90 corporations to create meaningful opportunities within corporate supply chains and the broader business ecosystem. For more information visit www.greatlakeswbc.org.
