Tectonic Leaders

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Brenda’s FIRSTs

Creating significant change by breaking barriers in the workplace, across religious divides, on campus and in communities, with boundless courage, creative energy and passion

In the fashion business:

FIRST to break racial barrier.Hired black models for Saks Fifth Avenue Detroit (1966)

FIRST vice president of fashion marketing and merchandising J.L.Hudson Co.(1978)

FIRST fashion marketing and merchandising VP Federated Allied Department stores (1980’s)

FIRST Fashion and Art fund raiser for Detroit Institute of Arts: Fashbash created with Detroit Institute of Arts founders Junior Council and J.L. Hudson Co. First year revenue purchased Matisse cut outs for DIA.

FIRST to bring gold by day in shoes and accessories to women in America.

FIRST to be named best dressed hall of fame Detroit News.

FIRST to market Santa Bears for Christmas.

Across religious divides:

FIRST programto bring a Church, Mosque and Synagogue together in America. Reuniting the Children of Abraham multi media peace project was featured on CBS (March, 2005) on how it is possible to utilize the creative arts for social healing; over 100 presentations times across America, Canada, Israel and Jordan.

FIRST to build bridges between Jews and Muslims with books. Four metro Detroit mosques received mini Jewish libraries.

FIRST Jewish woman to deliver a sermon at a mosque (the Islamic House of Wisdom) in Ameri-ca.(2002)

FIRST to inspire 30 women from 7 different faiths to publish personal stories of reaching across divides: The WISDOM of women creating alliances for peace.

FIRST Jewish person and FIRST women to be honored by the Michigan Muslim Council.

FIRST Jewish person to be honored by the Arab Anti Discrimination ADC Council.

On campus and in communities:

FIRST to create Fashion Marketing and Merchandising program for Northwood University, Midland, Michigan with Nancy Barker, more than tripled enrollment of women.(1972)

FIRST week longworkshop connecting Christian, Muslim and Jewish students from four Michigan Universities to learn how it is possible to have cool conversations on the hot topic of the Middle east conflict, in partnership with Samia Moustapha Bahsoun.(2011)

FIRST campus workshop at Northwood University, Midland Michigan on how to harness the power of campus tension surrounding roommate and sexual harassment issues in partnership with Samia Moustapha Bahsoun.(2018)

FIRST model program in Roseville, Michigan, to bring law enforcement and community together using the tension that once divided them: Hate 2 Hope. (2016)

FIRST to initiate a leadership workshop for diversity and sensitivity trainers at the Brightmore Church in Novi Michigan.Transforming racial tensions by creating a new communication platform.(2017)

FIRST to launch art treasures from an American museum as wall murals. In partnership with Detroit Institute of Arts, and Detroit Wallpaper Co.(summer 2018)

Brenda serves as an advisor to the FBI’s Multi Cultural Advisory Committee (MCAC), Advo-cates Leaders to build Police and Community Trust (ALPACT), Sheriff Bouchard (SAC) Special Advisory Council for Oakland County, and the Detroit Institute of Arts gift shop, and is the Jewish liaison to Interfaith Girl Scouts of South Eastern Michigan.

Brenda’s ground breaking efforts have been recognized with over 18 awards from groups as di-verse as her efforts.