Big Hearts for Seniors Event

May 27, 2021  |  7:00PM EDT  |  Virtual  

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An evening of "Big Hearted Stories: Generations" and entertainment with a silent auction to benefit five important community programs. Free - donations welcome.  

If you prefer to make a donation by check, please make the check payable to the University of Michigan (Please write “Big Hearts” in the memo) and send to:

Michigan Medicine Office of Development
Attn: Gift Finance & Handling
1000 Oakbrook Drive, Ste. 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-6815

The Event Benefits: Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels, Housing Bureau for Seniors, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Silver Club Memory Programs, Turner Senior Wellness Program. 

“Big Hearted Stories 2021 is going to be an event filled with heart and connection. Our theme "Generations" will allow our storytellers to share memories of connection and tradition. As it will be virtual it will be accessible to audiences around the world. We can't wait!” Breeda Miller- Artistic Director/Volunteer Big Hearts for Seniors

 

2021 Emcee, Guest, and Storytellers - "Generations"

Vic Strecher is a professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and Founder and CEO of Kumanu, Inc. His latest neuroscience, behavioral, and epidemiologic research; his two books, Life On Purpose and the graphic novel On Purpose; his free massive open online course Finding Purpose and Meaning in Life; and the Purposeful application his business (Kumanu) created are all focused on the importance of developing and maintaining a strong purpose in life. 

John Beilein, considered to be one of the best basketball minds, patrolled the sidelines during his four decades as the head coach for the U-M's men's basketball team. He has compiled a career record of 829-468 (.639) during his 41 years as a collegiate head coach. He has recorded 20-plus win seasons on 23 occasions and has finished with a winning record in 35 seasons, placing him in the top 10 for career victories among active Division I head coaches. In 12 seasons in Ann Arbor, Beilein built the Wolverines into one of the nation’s elite programs, taking U-M to a pair of national championship game appearances (2013, ‘18) while also becoming the winningest coach in school history.

Tuyishime Claire Gasamagera is an author, storyteller, activist, advocate, and multilingual journalist reporting on social and racial justice, equal human rights, and healthcare access. Claire is a contributor to different HIV and AIDS magazines. She is the winner of the 2019 Arts and Understanding Magazine Christopher Hewitt award for nonfiction. Her writing is informed by her activism and lived experiences. Claire was born with HIV in 1983 and survived the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Her work has been published in thebody.com, Arts and Understanding Magazine, the International AIDS Alliance Key Correspondents, Voice of Africa, and AllAfrica.

Margarita Gurri, CSP is a Misbehavior Expert who solves people problems. Leaders and teams in business, healthcare, government, and military organizations rely on her wit and wisdom as they leverage the power of anxiety, conflict, and missteps to increase productivity and profit. She’s a global speaker, seasoned consulting clinical psychologist, and sassy grandmother with a dusty black belt. Affectionately known as Dr. Red Shoe, she offers executive advising, keynotes, MCing, meeting facilitation, and training. A licensed psychologist, Certified Speaking Professional, and Certified Virtual Presenter, she is sought-after for her discretion and content-rich, fun approach to change. Author of Color Me Difficult, True North for Military Moms, True North for Military Couples, The Ethical Speaker, Trilogy of Anger, La Trilogia de la Ira, Anglican Prayer Beads, and co-author of The Happiness Recipe. Broadcasts and Podcasts include The Rabbi & The Shrink-Ethics Unscripted and People & Profits: Boost Your Business.

Jerry Lemenu studied at Sacred Heart Seminary, Michigan State University, Society of Arts and Crafts, Wayne State University, and the Heatherley School of Art in London, England. He was the one-person art staff at Focus: HOPE in the 1970s and early 1980s. In 1981 he began drawing courtroom art for WDIV. He eventually drew courtroom scenes for every local and national media outlet. His most rewarding job was that of a high school art teacher at Ferndale High School and the Center for Advanced Studies and the Arts (1992-2018). From 1994 until 2004, Lemenu was a member of the ensemble cast of the Improv group, Empatheatre which performed once a month at Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown Concert House-the audience’s real-life stories were enacted. Lemenu is a featherbowler and his portraits of his mentors line the back wall of Detroit’s Cadieux Café. Each portrait has a story.

Tyler Phillips is an author from Stevenson, Alabama, who now lives in Ann Arbor. His storytelling is heavily influenced by the dialect, people, and geography of the Tennessee Valley, which will forever be his home. Tyler is currently working on his first novel about a small church in north Alabama. In his free time he enjoys Auburn football, Braves baseball, producing films for his friends, and visiting new states.