The document provides information about an upcoming pop-up event hosted by the COLORS Co-op Academy to showcase five new food start-ups. The event will take place on August 24, 2016 at COLORS Restaurant in Detroit and will feature local, sustainable "good food" offerings from the start-ups Delectable Treats, Just Foods, Patties with a Twist, Sweets on Wheels, and Ultimate New Beginnings. The COLORS Co-op Academy supports food cooperatives and this is the first pop-up event they are hosting at COLORS Restaurant Detroit.

1. August 24, 2016
Press Kit
Contact:
Michelle Merritt
Nexus One Marketing
734.237.7943

2. ROCUNITEDRESTAURANT OPPORTUNITIES CENTERS UNITED
WHO WE ARE
Over the last three years, ROC-Michigan has led many efforts to advance justice in our
workplaces and in our communities.
Here are some of our accomplishments:
- Published a comprehensive, community-based research and policy report on the Southeast
Michigan restaurant industry, Behind the Kitchen Door, based on 500 worker surveys, 32
employer interviews, and government data. Our research demonstrated that workers of color
were largely concentrated in the lowest paying jobs in the industry and were the most likely to
experience widespread violations of their rights. The report called for policy and industry
changes to increase access for low-wage workers of color to living wage jobs in the industry,
attracting local and national media attention.
- Organized a coalition of several dozen faith-based, labor, community, economic development,
business and environmental groups to unite behind the Good Food, Good Jobs campaign,
which will help ensure that workers are treated fairly, that consumers are sold safe foods, and
that employers who do play by the rules enjoy a level playing field.
- Recovered tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid wages for our region’s exploited restaurant
workers
- Secured innovative agreements with area employers on working conditions
- Mobilized more than 1,500 restaurant workers and community allies to take action in support
of restaurant workers who rights are being violated on the job
- Opened COLORS — a community-based restaurant in the heart of downtown Detroit that
incubates worker-owned food businesses
- Launched the COLORS Hospitality for Workers Institute, an innovative professional training
program designed to move restaurant workers into living wage jobs in the industry
- Convened the Southeast Michigan Restaurant Industry Coalition and the Southeast Michigan
Restaurant Industry Roundtable, diverse multi-stakeholder groups of over 40 employers,
workforce and economic development agencies, faith-based institutions, post-secondary
schools, community groups, and unions dedicated to promoting equitable workforce solutions.

3. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ROC-Michigan is led by a Board of Directors of restaurant workers elected by our members at
large. Our restaurant worker board ensures that our leaders are those most directly affected by
the issues and challenges we face in our workplaces and in our communities. ROC-Michigan is
an independent affiliate of ROC-United.
OUR MEMBERS
ROC-Michigan unites restaurant workers across Southeast Michigan who belong to many
different communities and yet face common challenges and injustices at work.
Our 750+ members come from a wide range of backgrounds, including from over 15 countries
and from over 40 cities across Southeast Michigan. Our members are predominantly African-
Americans, Latinos and immigrants who live in and around the city of Detroit.
Restaurant workers become members of ROC-Michigan by attending an orientation at our
Detroit office. As members of ROC-Michigan, restaurant workers can sign up for professional
skills training, job placement, and resume assistance, as well as career coaching services.
Restaurant workers can also participate in our member-led organizing committees, intensive
Leadership Institute, and monthly membership meetings. In these spaces, our members come
together to develop skills, strategies, and tactics to make effective change in their workplaces
and in their communities.
Dr. Alicia Renee Farris, ROC-MI
State Director
Dr. Alicia Renee Farris is the State Director of
Restaurant Opportunities Center of Michigan
where she gives leadership to a
statewide movement to achieve social and
economic justice for restaurant workers.
Farris, a lifelong resident of Detroit, is
passionate about justice and equality. She has
worked in local and state government and in
nonprofit settings such as New Detroit, Inc.
Michigan Institute for Nonviolence Education,
Michigan Neighborhood Partnership and Doing
Development Differently in Metropolitan
Detroit. Farris has served on numerous local
and national nonprofit boards and as adjunct
professor for the University of Detroit Mercy’s
College of Liberal Arts and Education.

4. Over the years, hundreds of restaurant workers have participated in ROC-Michigan’s organizing
and leadership development programs, raising their voices in their workplaces, in their
neighborhoods, and before city, state, and federal public officials.
CONTACT US:
Phone: (313) 962-5020
Address: 311 E. Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Email:
Dr. Alicia Renee Farris (ROC-Michigan Director): alicia@rocmichigan.org
Phil Jones (COLORS-Detroit General Manager): chefphiljones55@gmail.com
Layna Gardner-Lott (Director of Business Services): layna@rocmichigan.org
Bekah Galang (COLORS Co-op Academy Coordinator): bekah@rocmichigan.org
Allen Lee (Hospitality Instructor): allen@rocmichigan.org
Alex Amdemichael (Sous Chef): amdemichaela@gmail.com

5. ROCUNITEDRESTAURANT OPPORTUNITIES CENTERS UNITED
OUR WORK
WORKPLACE JUSTICE
For too many Southeast Michigan restaurant workers, the real promise of living wages and good
benefits remains a distant dream.
Dangerous working conditions, unpaid and stolen wages, harassment, and discrimination are
daily realities. Those who dare to speak out lose their jobs; others face deportation. Less than
one-tenth of one percent of the restaurant industry is unionized. Often, there is nowhere to turn
for help.
ROC’s innovative workplace justice campaigns combine litigation along with worker and
community organizing to win justice for exploited restaurant workers. We win compensation for
restaurant workers who have been cheated out of wages and discriminated against, as well as
legally binding improvements in workplace policies to ensure those restaurants are better places
to work in the future.
Our campaigns have resulted in innovative grievance procedures, paid breaks, anti-harassment
and anti-discrimination policies, protections for non-English speakers, prohibitions on
deductions for equipment and uniforms, and more.
Together we can win what we cannot win alone.
RESEARCH AND POLICY
The restaurant industry generates over $12 billion in revenue in the state of Michigan and
employs over 130,000 people in Southeast Michigan alone. Yet, as industries go, it is also
one of the least studied and least understood.
ROC-Michigan’s innovative and high quality community-based research uncovers the forces
shaping this large and growing industry and identifies policies that can support good jobs,
opportunities for advancement, increased worker retention, as well as vibrant communities and
local economies. By grounding our grassroots policy campaigns in rigorous, community-based
research, we promote strategic solutions that benefit workers, employers, and consumers.
Our report, Behind the Kitchen Door: Inequality and Opportunity in Metro Detroit’s Growing
Restaurant Industry, is the most comprehensive report ever done on Southeast Michigan’s
restaurant industry. Among its major findings:
Did you know that Southeast Michigan’s restaurant and food service industry . . .

6. Employs more people than auto manufacturing, hospitals, and construction?
Offers real opportunities for living wages – more than 13,000 jobs pay $15.50 an hour or
higher?
All too often mistreats workers – more than half of restaurant workers report having their wages
being stolen by their employers?
Concentrates people of color and women, especially women of color, in lower-paying jobs with
fewer opportunities for advancement?
– To view ‘Behind the Kitchen Door: Inequality and Opportunity in Metro Detroit’s Growing
Restaurant Industry’ click here
Good Food, Good Jobs Summit
The Good Food, Good Jobs Alliance is a united effort that brings together everyday people,
grassroots organizations, and faith-based institutions to ensure that those with the privilege of a
liquor license are benefiting our communities and neighborhoods by offering quality foods and
good jobs. We envision a healthy community with strong workplace and food safety
standards. The right to just and favorable working conditions and food adequate for health and
well-being are human rights. We know that for too many residents of our communities –
particularly for low-income, immigrant, and communities of color – these rights are a distant
dream. It does not have to be this way. We can have economic development that benefits all in
our city. We want good food and good jobs because Detroiters deserve both.
The Good Food, Good Jobs Act would:
• Create a process to allow the City of Detroit to consider a liquor license holder’s
record of compliance with basic food safety and workplace standards when
deciding whether to grant, renew, suspend, or revoke an establishment’s liquor license.
• Allow for community input on a liquor license holder’s compliance with food safety
and workplace standards by permitting submission of written comments by the public
• Permit the city to hold a public hearing to gather more information – especially
for chronic violators with a clear record of non-compliance
– To learn more about the Good Food, Good Jobs Summit, click here
HIGH ROAD
Southeast Michigan and the city of Detroit are home to a vibrant local food system,
numerous small and urban farms, and some of the best known restaurants and
community based food enterprises in the country. Day in and day out, these businesses
show the benefits of low-turnover workplaces that pay and treat their workers well.
Our high-road work is dedicated to spreading these best workplace and community practices
from our region and from around the country more widely throughout the industry. Below find
more information on the three major areas of our high-road work:

7. 1. Promoting Thriving Local Food Systems and Local Ownership: COLORS-Detroit
Located in downtown Detroit’s Paradise Valley cultural and entertainment district, COLORS-
Detroit is a locally sourced, full-service restaurant dedicated to serving delicious, fresh, healthy,
and affordable food that reflects the many culinary traditions of our community. Incubating
worker-owned businesses, supporting local growers, and moving Detroiters into living-wage
jobs, COLORS-Detroit serves great-tasting food that you can feel great about. What it all
comes down to is: Just. Good. Food.
– Click here for more information on COLORS-Detroit: Just. Good. Food.
2. Strengthening Career Ladders: COLORS Hospitality Opportunities for Workers
(CHOW) Institute
COLORS-Detroit is home to the COLORS Hospitality Opportunities for Workers Institute
(CHOW), an innovative workforce development program that provides professional culinary and
hospitality training to restaurant workers seeking to advance to living wage jobs in the industry.
We use a national curriculum that has successfully training and placed more than 1000
restaurant workers in ROC affiliates around the country.
– If you are a restaurant worker and would like more information on scheduling an orientation to
learn more about the COLORS Hospitality Opportunities for Workers (CHOW) Institute, click
here
3. Advancing Workforce Solutions: Southeast Michigan RAISE (Restaurants Advancing
Industry Standards in Employment)
Founded in 2009 in response to employer demand, the Southeast Michigan Restaurant Industry
Roundtable was a regular gathering led by employers dedicated to taking the ‘high-road’ to
profitability. Now, RAISE (Restaurants Advancing Industry Standards), has replaced the
Roundtable as a way of uniting High Road employers across the county. Together with post-
secondary institutions, public officials, restaurant workers, unions, community and faith-based
organizations, as well as workforce and economic development professionals, RAISE generates
innovative sectoral strategies and workforce solutions to promote shared prosperity in Metro
Detroit’s restaurant industry.
Employer members of RAISE enjoy professional networking opportunities, exchange of best
practices, and free training and placement as well as services such as legal assistance, health
and safety training, and access to low-cost health insurance for their workers.
– For more information on how you can join RAISE and to request an application, click here

8. ROCUNITEDRESTAURANT OPPORTUNITIES CENTERS UNITED
• Get Email Updates
COLORS CO-OP ACADEMY
The COLORS Co-op Academy is an intensive learning experience designed to cultivate new
worker-owned good food businesses rooted in principles of democracy, sustainability, and
justice. We envision a community-based economy in which all people are contributing with
dignity, respect, and ownership. By linking our actions with movements for worker and food
justice, we collectively re-imagine and transform our workplaces, communities, and our local
economies.
The COLORS Co-Op Academy will help your team open your worker-owned, cooperative,
good food business.
The year-long commitment of three hours per week includes a learning journey to a successful
worker- owned business; a thirteen-week course in cooperative business education; one-on-one
coaching with Jackie Victor, co-founder of Avalon International Breads; personalized
connections with mentors from around the city; and access to supportive start-up funding.
Our program is divided into three phases:
• Phase I: Thirteen-week Course
• Phase II: Coaching and Apprenticeship
• Phase III: Worker-Owned, Good Food Business Launch
Two established teams of three participants each have been selected to attend the Co-op
Academy for 2013-2014. If you are interested in attending the COLORS Co-op Academy,
please contact the Coordinator.
Contact the COLORS Co-op Academy coordinator, Bekah Galang for more
information: bekah@rocmichigan.org | 313.451-4187
Current students can view the September 2013 Syllabus here.
The COLORS Co-op Academy is on Facebook – check it out
275 7TH AVENUE, SUITE 1703, NEW YORK, NY 10001 • TEL: (212) 343-1771
COPYRIGHT © 2016 ROC • SITE CREDITS

9. ROCUNITEDRESTAURANT OPPORTUNITIES CENTERS UNITED
OUR RESTAURANT: COLORS
COLORS uses local ingredients and trains local employees in collective entrepreneurship to
create an eclectic menu and communal dining experience that provides excellently and
ethically prepared meals.
311 East Grand RiverDetroit, MI
(313) 496-1212
COLORS is on Facebook here.

10. ABOUT US
COLORS Restaurant - Detroit is a fully-functioning, revenue generating
restaurant that specializes in "farm to table” cuisine and operating
the Colors Hospitality Opportunities for Workers Institute (CHOW Institute) - a
non-profit front of the house training center for low to moderate income Detroit
area residents.
Colors Detroit is managed by Restaurant Opportunities Center ofMichigan
(ROC Michigan) – which is an affiliate of Restaurant Opportunities Centers
United (ROC United), a 501(C) 3 federally tax exempt organization.
Since opening in 2012, Colors Detroit has trained nearly 300 Detroit area
residents for entry level front of the house positions (e.g. servers, bar backs, food
runners) and placed nearly 70% of those trainees in local restaurants (including
Colors) within 90 days.

11. “The businesses represented on this night, totaling 18 people collectively, are all very uniquely
designed as they are worker managed and operated.” –Laura Sigmon, COLORS Co-op
Academy Coach
2016 COLORS Co-op Academy Cooperatives
Just Foods
Consist of 3 members bringing freshly prepared foods to certain areas throughout the City of
Detroit. They plan weekly and monthly events hosted the group, rotating from their individual
homes. They desire to do a pop-up to build their awareness. Ultimately, they wish to have a
brick and mortar store front.
Patties with a Twist
This is a family co-operative of 3 women - Mom, Darlene and daughters Lybia and Algeria,
assisted by granddaughter Aaliyah that has continued a family business tradition, inspired by the
Mom, Darlene’s grandparents, who owned a gas station and ice cream truck called "Sultan's
Goody, Goody Wagon” in the Wayne/Romulus area in the sixties. Patties with a Twist serves
gourmet foods that are intended for walkable consumption. With items like salmon patties on a
stick, they are primarily interested in this pop-up opportunity to allow them to test the market.
Ultimate New Beginnings
This group is based in and desires to serve the Southwest Detroit area, focusing on the borders of
Ecorse and Lincoln Park, near the Zug Island territory. They will provide fresh produce to food
entrepreneurs and retailers for their respective service delivery models.
Sweets on Wheels
Three women, including 2 bakers baking specialty cakes and sourcing them to cafés, restaurants
and bistros that buy locally-sourced fresh products. “We are 3 women from various business
backgrounds, through our love of baking, decorating and entertaining. Our delectable desserts
are made to order in small batches, which give us the edge on freshness. We share in the vision
to employ at fair wage, educate the community on food justice while making a profit to enrich
our communities; all while leaving a legacy for women of color.”
Delectable Treats
This mission-focused cooperative consists of 3 women working to incorporate homemade ice
cream to social agendas and conversations. They are slated to provide their product at the
Grandmont Rosedale Northwest Detroit Farmers Market.

12. Contact: Michelle Merritt
Nexus One Marketing
734.237.7943
2885 Sanford Ave. SW
Suite 35730
Grandville, MI 49418
COLORS CO-OP ACADEMY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
COLORS Co-op Academy to Host Pop-up Night Event
Five unique start-ups debut their local, sustainable,” good food” offerings
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Detroit, MI – COLORS Co-op Academy will present a Pop-up Night at COLORS
Restaurant Detroit on August 24, 2016, that features five food start-ups:
Delectable Treats, Just Foods. Patties with a Twist, Sweets on Wheels and Ultimate
New Beginnings.
COLORS Co-op Academy is proud to host its Pop-up Night at COLORS Restaurant
Detroit for the first time, since the Co-op Academy was launched in the fall of
2013 with four cooperatives. Genesis Tea successfully completed all
requirements of the first cohort. The current five cooperatives comprise the
second cohort-which started in January 2016.
The Pop-up Night will debut five unique, start-up food businesses that will treat
guests to a delicious and robust tasting menu. The co-op members are serving
three courses, including a variety of hot and cold appetizers, an entrée and a
trio of desserts.
The event will take place Wednesday, August 24, 2016, begins with a mix and
mingle from 5:30-6:00 PM and ends at 9:00 PM. Tickets are available at
Eventbrite.com: https://colorspop-upnight.eventbrite.com.
"We share in the vision to employ at fair wage, educate the community on food
justice while making a profit to enrich our communities; all while leaving a
legacy for women of color." – Stacey Espie, Sweets on Wheels Co-op member
Contact:
Michelle Merritt
Nexus One Marketing
734.237.7943
COLORS Restaurant Detroit
311 Grand River Ave.
Detroit, MI 48226
313. 962.5020

13. Contact: Michelle Merritt
Nexus One Marketing
734.237.7943
2885 Sanford Ave. SW
Suite 35730
Grandville, MI 49418
COLORS CO-OP ACADEMY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
COLORS Co-op Academy to Host Pop-up Night Event
Five unique start-ups debut their local, sustainable,” good food” offerings
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Detroit, MI – COLORS Co-op Academy will present a Pop-up Night at
COLORS Restaurant Detroit on August 24, 2016, that features five food
start-ups: Delectable Treats, Just Foods. Patties with a Twist, Sweets on
Wheels and Ultimate New Beginnings.
COLORS Co-op Academy is proud to host its Pop-up Night at COLORS
Restaurant Detroit for the first time, since the Co-op Academy was
launched in the fall of 2013 with four cooperatives. Genesis Tea
successfully completed all requirements of the first cohort. The current five
cooperatives comprise the second cohort-which started in January 2016.
The Pop-up Night will debut five unique, start-up food businesses that will
treat guests to a delicious and robust tasting menu. The co-op members
are serving three courses, including a variety of hot and cold appetizers,
an entrée and a trio of desserts.
The event will take place Wednesday, August 24, 2016, begins with a mix
and mingle from 5:30-6:00 PM and ends at 9:00 PM. Tickets are available
at Eventbrite.com: https://colorspop-upnight.eventbrite.com.
“The businesses represented on this night, totaling 18 people collectively,
are all very uniquely designed as they are worker managed and
operated.” –Laura Sigmon, COLORS Co-op Academy Coach
Contact:
Michelle Merritt
Nexus One Marketing
734.237.7943
COLORS Restaurant Detroit
311 Grand River Ave.
Detroit, MI 48226
313. 962.5020

14. You’re invited to the
COLORS Co-op Academy
Pop-up Night
8.24.16—5:30-9P
Featuring 5 New Start-ups:
Delectable Treats
Just Foods
Patties with a Twist
Sweets on Wheels
Ultimate New Beginnings
COLORS Restaurant—311 Gd. River, Det.,
MI 48226
Founded in 2013 and based in Detroit, the
COLORS Co-Op Academy is an intensive
learning experience designed to cultivate new,
worker-owned, good food businesses...rooted
in principles of democracy, sustainability, and
justice. We envision a community-based
economy in which all people are contributing
Tickets available at: colorspop-upnight.eventbrite.com

15. MENU
Appetizers
Fresh, Locally-sourced Fruit Cup
Fruit Smoothie
Salad in a Cup
Served by Ultimate New Beginnings
Fried Plantain
Black-eyed Pea Planks
Served by Just Foods
Entrée
Smoked Salmon Bites
Mushroom Stuffed | Cheese Stuffed
Served over Stoplight Rice
Served by Patties with a Twist
Desserts
Succulent Pralines
Sweet Potato Cheesecake
Served by Sweets on Wheels
Homemade Gourmet Vanilla Ice Cream
Served by Delectable Delights
The COLORS Food Co-op members
would like to thank you for your
support of our new venture.
August 24, 2016