Comerica Bankhas continued its efforts this prom season to support southeast Michigan students by partnering with theHoratio Williams Foundationon the first Tuxedo and Suit Drive. Additional community partners included Detroit Association of Black Organizations (DABO); Determined, Exceptional, Fearless Youth (DEFY) and Neway Works in Mount Clemens.
The partners worked together with local fashion designer Montee Holland to provide 25 students with a suit or tuxedo, including a shirt, pants, vest, jacket and tie. All clothing items were purchased by the drive’s community partners from Holland’s Tayion Collection at Macy’s and Men’s Warehouse.
“Every year, Comerica hosts our annual Prom Dress Drive to collect gently used prom dresses and it got me to thinking — What can we do for the boys?” said Linda Nosegbe, Comerica Bank vice president and southeast Michigan external affairs market manager. “We called up the Horatio Williams Foundation and Horatio immediately jumped into action and said, we’re not just going to collect oldsuits, we’re going to provide a properly fitted suit for these young men. We have been overwhelmed by the community support we’ve seen to bring this initiative together.”
The Horatio Williams Foundation collaborated with coaches and teachers from Mount Clemens High School and Regent Park Scholar Academy in Detroit to select each student. The students were measured and fitted at Men’s Warehouse and recently picked up their formal attire at the Horatio Williams Foundation in Detroit.
“As a young man I was always inspired by the well-dressed men in the community, I couldn’t wait to have a reason to get dressed up even if it was simply on Sunday to attend church,” said Horatio Williams, founder of the Horatio Williams Foundation. “At the foundation, one of our main goals is to provide children with access to opportunities they would otherwise not have.
“Getting fitted for a suit is an opportunity to give a young man hope. To know that not only do we believe in who you are, we believe in who you will become. As a young man whenever it was time to put a suit on, I felt stronger, smarter and I felt respected. I want young men to know that feeling.”
The goal of the Horatio Williams Foundation Tuxedo and Suit Drive sponsored by Comerica Bank is to alleviate barriers for local youth to experience one of life’s greatest moments, while building self-esteem. This drive will help parents cut costs and celebrate each student and their accomplishments.
“The Tayion Collection is honored and excited to be a part of this initiative,” said Holland, Tayion Collection president and CEO. “Our goal is to make them believe they truly are successful despite their family circ*mstances, where they come from or their socio-economic status. I’m certain that if we continuously tell our young men they are what success looks like, they’ll keep working to better themselves and ultimately better the communities they live in.”
In addition to Comerica Bank’s financial and volunteer support, DABO hosted a fundraiser on April 23 to support the drive. Additional financial donations are still being accepted. To donate, call 1 (313) 567-0883 or emailinfo@horatiowilliamsfoundation.com. Clothing donations are not being accepted at this time.
The Horatio Williams Foundation Tuxedo and Suit Drive adds to Comerica’s outreach in assisting teens in southeast Michigan during prom season.
Since 2017, Comerica Bank has hosted four Prom Dress Drives benefitting Hope Closet and has donated more than 5,300 dresses to the nonprofit. After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year Comerica Bank collected more than 900 new and gently-used prom dress from 13 banking centers and office locations throughout southeast Michigan. Hope Closet recently hosted its annualweek-long pop-up dress boutique at Royal Oak First United Methodist Church where students could shop for the dress of their dreams, free of charge.
Comerica Bank
Comerica Bank, a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated, has served Michigan longer than any other bank with a continuous presence dating back over 172 years to its Detroit founding in 1849. It is the largest bank employer in metro Detroit and has more than 4,500 employees (FTE) statewide. With one of the largest banking center networks in Michigan, Comerica nurtures lifelong relationships with unwavering integrity and financial prudence. Comerica positively impacts the lives of Michigan residents by helping customers be successful, providing financial support that assists hundreds of charitable organizations, and actively participating in Detroit’s downtown revitalization. Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company strategically aligned by three business segments: The Commercial Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Follow on Facebook:www.facebook.com/Comerica, Twitter:@ComericaBankand Instagram:@comerica_bank.
Horatio Williams Foundation
The Horatio Williams Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2005 by a passionate and great leader who always wanted to find a way to “Give a Second Chance”. The Foundation is dedicated to helping Detroit Metropolitan youth realize personal success and achievement through a series of developmental leadership programs that will engage students in education, sports and community service activities. Website:www.horatiowilliamsfoundation.org.
Detroit Association of Black Organizations (DABO)
Since 1979, the Detroit Association of Black Organizations (DABO) has uplifted, unified, and empowered Detroit’s African American community through various programs, initiatives, and events. DABO is a federation of over 130 black, and non–black organizations working to build community unity. Website:Dabodetroitinc.net.
DEFY Program
Determined Exceptional Fearless Youth (DEFY) provides access, exposure, and mentorship to youth of all ages in Ypsilanti and Detroit. DEFY builds community and opportunity for every child, from the high-achievers and those with no direction to the youth that fall between the two, by providing the resources to obtain and sustain a bright future. Programming is tailored to meet the needs of our students, and includes: Test Prep (SAT & ACT), Tutoring & Homework Help, Life Skills , Leadership Building , Financial Literacy, Culinary Classes, Yoga and Meditation, Real Estate & Homeownership, Sports, and more. Website:Defyprogram.org.
For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/NewayWorks, Twitter: @NewayWorks and Instagram: @NewayWorks.
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