District Business Liaisons

What is a District Business Liaison?

DBLs are neighborhood business owners’ best friends. They are here to help navigate through any challenges you may have and connect you to the robust ecosystem of business support organizations in our city. DBLs work in close partnership with the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and every organization and initiative that supports small businesses in Detroit. A DBL’s job is to focus on neighborhood business owners’ needs, and to work directly with the community’s entrepreneurs to help our commercial corridors thrive.

How we can help you:

Helping business owners navigate city resources including but not limited to permitting, licensing, plan review, zoning variances, and inspections

Connecting business owners with the resources they need to grow and thrive such as capital, talent, business support services, and grant programs

Collecting data and information that shows trends in where challenges lie for businesses in Detroit, in order to inform process, policy, and programmatic improvements that benefit the small business community

Find Your District Business Liaison

Lashawna Manigault

Director of District Business Liaison Program

Bryan Davis

District 1 Business Liaison

Tunesia Turner

District 2 Business Liaison

Md-Abdul Muhit

Associate Director Of District Business Liaison Program, District 3 Business Liaison

Nikki Donald

District 5 Business Liaison

Nancy Cepeda

District 6 Business Liaison

Sami Elhady

District 7 Business Liaison

District Business Liaisons

Lashawna Manigault

Director of District Business Liaison Program

Bryan Davis

District 1 Business Liaison

Lashawna Manigault

Director of District Business Liaison Program

Md-Abdul Muhit

Associate Director Of District Business Liaison Program, District 3 Business Liaison

Sami Elhady

District 7 Business Liaison

Nikki Donald

District 5 Business Liaison

Tunesia Turner

District 2 Business Liaison

Nancy Cepeda

District 6 Business Liaison

Success Stories

J’s Café has been specializing​ in down home southern style soul food since 1983. Food at J’s Café is prepared the old fashion way, using the freshest ingredients and cooked same way your grandmother did. For the full menu and hours of operation, visit the J’s Café website.

Recently the business improved its exterior appearance, thanks to help from Tenecia Johnson, DEGC’s District Business Liaison for District 1.

Let Us Support Your Small Detroit Business

Our Small Business Call Center is open Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 844-333-8249.

The DEGC serves businesses operating or planning to operate in Detroit only.




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