Two Art of Achievement Awards
In November, the Flint & Genesee Group hosted its annual Art of Achievement Awards, celebrating the individuals and organizations shaping our region’s vitality. This year, FIM was recognized in extraordinary ways — honors that reflect not only our staff’s commitment to excellence, but also the loyalty of our patrons and the generosity of donors whose belief in the arts fuels our momentum.

FIM received two major awards: Attraction of the Year for FIM Capitol Theatre (shared with Flint Drop Fest), and Frontline Ambassador of the Year awarded to Paula Forbush, Administrative Director of the Flint School of Performing Arts. In addition, Gregory Ahejew, Manager of Food & Beverage, was nominated for the same Ambassador award, underscoring the strength of our hospitality and guest-experience teams.

Paula, the first honoree of the evening, was celebrated for her exceptional empathy, leadership and unwavering dedication to FSPA’s 3,500 students and their families. Whether she is calming nervous parents, consoling young performers after an audition, or coordinating the intricate schedules that keep Michigan’s largest community arts school running smoothly, Paula brings kindness and clarity to every interaction. Her influence is felt in every corner of FSPA, and this award affirms what our community already knows: she is a cornerstone of the welcoming, student-centered culture donors help sustain.

The Capitol Theatre’s award is a testament to the collective work of the entire FIM team, and to all those whose support ensures this historic landmark continues to shine. With nearly 62,000 visitors last season, diverse programming, robust community partnerships and accessible ticketing supported by millage funds and philanthropy, the Capitol has become a cultural beacon and economic engine for Flint’s downtown.

These awards belong to all of us. They are a powerful reminder that when our community invests in the arts, the entire region rises one shining moment at a time.

FSPA Acknowledged at Annual Event

At its 26th annual Interceding for Children Fundraiser Dinner in November, Motherly Intercession honored FIM with an Essential Piece Award, recognizing the transformative work of the Flint School of Performing Arts’ music therapy and songwriting team inside the Genesee County Jail.

Motherly Intercession serves children of incarcerated parents, working to strengthen families and interrupt cycles of intergenerational incarceration. Through literacy support, parenting education, job-skills training, healthcare enrollment and family-centered programming, the organization helps parents remain connected to their children, even while incarcerated.

FIM involvement in the jail began as part of a holistic approach to rehabilitation through the I.G.N.I.T.E. program, an educational pathway that prioritizes growth, accountability and education. What started as group music therapy sessions evolved into something far more expansive: the installation of a professional recording studio and eventually, the launch of a personal songwriting initiative for incarcerated mothers.

That initiative is part of the Carnegie Hall Lullaby Project, a national program that supports parents facing challenging circumstances as they write lullabies for their children. In partnership with Motherly Intercession, FSPA music therapists and instructors guide mothers through the creation of original songs and intimate musical messages for their children and unborn babies. With support from a songwriting instructor and oversight from a board-certified music therapist, participants craft both lyrics and melodies, which are then recorded and produced in the jail’s professional studio.

Installed by FIM in 2024 and inspired by artist Jelly Roll, with support from the UAW, the studio allows these lullabies to be preserved and shared beyond incarceration. As the award was presented, one such recording filled the room, a mother’s voice softly singing, “Mommy’s here, mommy loves you;” a simple refrain carrying extraordinary weight.

Accepting the award on behalf of FIM were Janelle Ballard, MT-BC and music therapy department chair; Katie Dunkelberger, MT-BC; Brandon Smith, songwriting instructor; and Corey Peterson, recording studio instructor. Joined by Motherly Intercession representatives Necole Hayes, executive director, and Jennifer Johnson, family & outreach coordinator, the pictured group represents a collaboration in which music builds connection, facilitates healing and offers new hope.