Signature Chefs

Feeding
Motherhood

Radtke, Lisa
| (248) 359-1560 Radtke, Lisa

Thank you for supporting
Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood Detroit

DATE: Thursday, October 9, 2025  |  TIME: 5:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Roostertail
ADDRESS: 100 Marquette Dr., Detroit, MI 48214
 

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FUND THE MISSION

event description image

Event description

The chefs, volunteers and guests who make up our Signature Chefs Events community are coming together in new, innovative ways to suport moms and babies this year.

We are following state mandated guidelines in response to COVID-19 and will not have an in-person event this year. So, we are preparing an exciting, new Virtual Gala for your 2020 March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction experience!

We need your help now more than ever. Your support funds:

  • COVID-19 interventions and support for moms and babies
  • Programs that promote health equity for moms and babies and directly combat racial disparities in maternal and child health
  • Free virtual NICU support program for families
  • Virtual prenatal programs for moms-to-be
  • Educational programs, including live Facebook panel discussions, to get info into the hands of moms and families
  • Necessary supplies for expectant mothers including blood pressure cuffs and masks and so much more!

Support the mission

Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide, and 1 million will die before their first birthday. Your gift helps the March of Dimes fund research, education, advocacy and programs that help more moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.

Make a Contribution

Become a sponsor

Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide, and 1 million will die before their first birthday. Your gift helps the March of Dimes fund research, education, advocacy and programs that help more moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.

Local Contact Person, Region
[email protected] | Phone # Contact Us

EVENT DETAILS

March of Dimes Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood adds a little flavor to fundraising by bringing guests together alongside Metro Detroit’s most talented chefs to support the health of all moms and babies. After sampling our chefs creations for a 90-minute tasting experience, guests will take their seat for a short program, live auction and fund the mission segment. Enjoy dessert while you bid on our unique packages, raising your paddle and giving generously to help babies. I hope you will consider joining us for an amazing evening of incredible food, drink and networking with a room of business leaders and philanthropists from across Michigan and beyond!

If you'd like to donate, purchase tickets, or become a sponsor, click here. 

Please contact Lisa Radtke at [email protected] or 248.359.1560 for more information.  Please scroll down the website if you are interested in volunteer opportunities.


 

EVENT EMCEE

Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood welcomes Shaina Humphries as this year's emcee. 

2025 Lead Chef
Chef Vonzell Whaley
Roostertail




 
2025 SIGNATURE CHEFS

Chef Levan Lamb

Sindbad's

London Chop House
Scott Sundermeyer - Trinity Health | LinkedIn

Chef Nadia

Baobab Fare

Love & Tequila
In father's memory, St. Ambrose chef weekly feeds homeless ...

Chef Vonzell Whaley

Roostertail

Chef Omar Mitchell

Table No. 2

Chef Tammie Bachran

A Serendipity Cakery
IMPEL JAVA

Chef Maxwell Leonard

The Secret Bakery

2025 Hero for Babies Awardee - Dr. Emily Dove - Medows

March of Dimes Michigan is thrilled to announce our 2025 Hero for Babies Award winner: Dr. Emily Dove-Medows!

Dr Dove-Medows has shown exceptional dedication to our mission of leading the fight for the health of all moms and babies. Her unwavering support, advocacy, and compassion have made a lasting impact in our community — and we can’t wait to celebrate them at this year’s Signature Chef's Feeding Motherhood event!

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Emily Dove-Medows and honoring her incredible contributions. We will be recognizing Dr. Dove-Medows at our Signature Chef's Feeding Motherhood event on October 9th.

Emily Dove-Medows is a certified nurse midwife and nurse scientist. Her program of research is focused on ending preventable morbidity and mortality related to racism. Presenting her award will be Dr. D'Angela Pitts, our 2024 Hero For Babies honoree.

2025 Child's Champion Award Honoree

Lohren Carter-Nzoma is a lifelong Detroit educator and passionate advocate for equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive education. As the Assistant Superintendent of Exceptional Student Education at Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD), she leads programs that support more than 8,000 students with exceptionalities across 114 schools.

Lohren—who proudly describes herself as a cultural ambassador, mother, sister, identical twin, and “Mi-Mi” to her grandson—uses every platform to advance equity and inclusion. Recognized as a true Leader of Leaders, she is committed to nurturing the potential of others and has shared her expertise before the Michigan K-12 Appropriations Committee, where she advocated for equitable funding for both special and gifted education.


 

2025 Women in Labor Award Honoree

Laura Dickerson is a trailblazing labor leader and the first African American woman elected to the International Executive Board of the United Automobile Workers (UAW).

A member of UAW Local 600 since 1997, Dickerson has held nearly every elected role in the union, from plant-level bargaining team member to national negotiator with Ford. She was re-elected as UAW Region 1A Director in December 2022, after first being elected in 2021 to complete the term of Chuck Browning.

In June 2025, she was elected Vice President and Director of the UAW Ford Department, succeeding Chuck Browning upon his retirement. In this role, she leads national negotiations and advocates for workers at Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis facilities.

Raised in a union family, Dickerson carries forward her father’s legacy of advocating for workers' rights. Her leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to justice, equity, and solidarity.

MEET THE ADDISON - 2025 AMBASSADOR FAMILY

A Story of Strength: Nicholas and Lola’s Journey

My journey into motherhood began with surprises that no one could have prepared me for. Nicholas, my first baby, was due around June 12th. But instead, he arrived in late February — a tiny, fragile soul born at just 24 weeks.  Nicholas was born weighing just 1 lb. 7 oz. He was immediately placed on a ventilator and spent nearly his entire NICU stay supported by machines. 

When I became pregnant with Lola, I was much more closely monitored. She was due in March but arrived in December at 26 weeks. Lola came into the world on December 8th, weighing 2 lbs. 2 oz. 

Holding them for the first time was an unforgettable milestone. Through this experience, I’ve become passionate about advocating for black maternal and infant health. I want to help raise awareness and support families beyond just the first month after NICU discharge. Parents need guidance in choosing insurance, accessing developmental pediatricians, linking with community support, and connecting with others who’ve walked this road. It can be a very isolating experience — something I know all too well.

I want other families, especially in the black community, to know they are not alone and that support is out there — from the beginning of pregnancy through every milestone that follows.  March of Dimes is that support.

 

ENTERTAINMENT

Out of Detroit's lively jazz scene, which has produced some of the best musicians in the world, comes the ground breaking all female jazz group, Straight Ahead. A group of strong, inventive instrumentalists and vocalists, they have shown themselves to be powerful and imaginative composers and arrangers.

Widely recognized for their eclectic and soulful approach to creating music, the Straight Ahead sound ranges comfortably from mainstream jazz R&B ballads to avant-garde to Brazilian funk. Their live performances are a dynamic celebration of power and joy. The ladies delight in changing textures, moods, and tempos and love to throw in the occasional musical joke!

Introduced in 1989 as a product of their hometown's lively jazz scene, Straight Ahead was named the finalist in that year's "Sony Innovators" competition. The new decade saw the ladies receive their first international exposure when they were invited to open for the legendary Nina Simone at the Montreaux-Switzerland Jazz Festival. In 1990, the group recorded the first album for Atlantic Jazz, "Look Straight Ahead,” which made the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart Top 20.

These Grammy-nominated Atlantic Jazz recording artists have traveled extensively in the United States, the Caribbean, and Europe, garnering rave reviews. Each individual member of Straight Ahead is an accomplished musician in her own right. Together they bring a unique musical personality to the group. Straight Ahead's founding members, the "Rhythm Sister" - Marion Hayden on bass, Eileen Orr on piano and Gayelynn McKinney on drums - are joined by an exciting line-up, which features the dynamic Kymberli Wright on vocals. Joy, power, love, wisdom...magic! This is the sound of what is to come. This is Straight Ahead!

David Helmer – Professional Auctioneer and Appraisal Specialist

With a career spanning nearly three decades, David is a highly accomplished auctioneer and respected leader in the industry. A 1996 graduate of the Missouri Auction School and 1998 graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Communications and a minor in Marketing, David has conducted over 1,000 auctions across a wide range of categories and continues to bring energy, professionalism, and integrity to every event.

A life member and past president of the Michigan State Auctioneers Association (MSAA), David was honored as the 2006 Michigan Bid Calling Champion and selected by Auction Xpress as a 2006 NAA All-Star. They hold both the GPPA (Graduate Personal Property Appraiser) and CES (Certified Estate Specialist) designations—testaments to their expertise in personal property valuation and estate liquidation.

An active member of the National Auctioneers Association (NAA), David has competed in the International Auctioneering Championships and served on numerous NAA and MSAA committees, including Membership, Legislative, Grievance, and charitable initiatives like the St. Jude’s Committee.

Beyond the auction floor, David is a dedicated family person. Married to Jennifer since 1999, they are the proud parents of three children: Olivia, born in 2002, and twin boys Luke and Caleb, born in 2005. In their free time, David enjoys reading, collecting, and traveling. They are an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and the Sons of the Union Veterans. David’s brother, Tom Helmer, is well-known as the host of multiple nationally syndicated shows on the Fox Sports Network.

 

EVENT LEADERSHIP

Thanks to the leadership of our volunteer chairs and committee members, we are honored to present this Signature Chefs event. After months of hard work, these volunteers have taken the event to new heights. The March of Dimes and the families we support are grateful for the generosity and effort of the team that made this evening possible.


Committee Members
Angela Hardison
George Bradford
Kate Barron, Jack Morton Worldwide 
Kyle Murphy, Kapnick
Linda Learman
Shannon Wilson, Priority Health
Tim Mackay, Level One Bank
 

SUPPORT THE MISSION

Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide, and one million will die before their first birthday. Your gift helps the March of Dimes fund research, education, advocacy and programs that help more moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.  
 
  • Join us for Signature Chefs to raise critical funds that help us fight factors that lead to poor birthing outcomes in Detroit and Southeast Michigan.
  • Advocate to prioritize the health of moms and babies, invest in cutting-edge research and provide local programs so that all parents, babies and their families are healthy and strong.
  • Help us be there for families, particularly those in need, through advocacy, programs and partnerships aimed at reducing preterm birth and ending the health equity gap.

To donate, click here.
 

BECOME A SPONSOR

Through partnerships with companies, organizations and individuals, the March of Dimes is able to create unique moments for your clients, vendors, and leadership teams. Sponsorship opportunities are available at a variety of levels for our Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood event, providing you with brand recognition, civic engagement and an exclusive client entertainment opportunity within the event. You'll participate in an exclusive dining event while supporting a critical cause. Click here and then click on Become a Sponsor to partner with us on this event. We look forward to working with you. For additional information, please contact Lisa Radtke at [email protected] or 248.359.1560.

Volunteer

The Detroit Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood is seeking volunteers. The event helps raise critical funds for March of Dimes that support families throughout their maternal health risks and death, end preterm birth and close the health equity gap for every mom and baby.  Click on a link below to go into our volunteer system to sign up as a volunteer for the event.

Solicit Auction Donations - MI Signature Chefs
Event Set-Up - MI Signature Chefs
Greet and Check-In Guests
Fund the Mission/Auction - MI Signature Chefs
Check-Out Guests End of Evening

Our Sponsors

Our Sponsor

View our updated event acknowledgements and waivers here.

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