From being the first in her family to graduate from college to leading community service organizations in southwest Detroit, Alicia Ramon continues to look for ways to grow and contribute. She currently serves as President and Interim CEO of the Southwest Detroit Business Association. Prior to joining SDBA, Ramon ran Latino Family Services, a Detroit nonprofit, for nine years before joining the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, where she rose through the ranks to Executive Director. Ramon graduated from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School last year. She also holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Davenport. Ramon previously served as Chair of the Out-Wayne Homeless Services Continuum of Care and Vice Chair of the Detroit Homeless Services Continuum of Care Board.
This conversation has been edited for length.
- What brought you to your current role?
I came to the SDBA last year as a consultant to do the executive leadership transition and assessment and to provide that interim executive leadership while the organization was getting its house in order and doing longer term planning .
I was born in the Midwest, raised in Mexico and then came to Southwest Detroit. I have been part of this community for a very long time. I have three core values: family, faith and service. My mission is to build a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable ecosystem that supports small, nonprofit businesses. If you have these three parts, then communities thrive.
- What are some of the main achievements of the SDBA?
The organization has been around for just over 65 years and has a long and solid history of building businesses and advocating for corporate interests. We know that BIPOC organizations and small businesses tend to have less access to capital, which builds their capacity and strengthens their relationship with banks and lending institutions to bring those resources to Southwest Detroit. There have been many major accomplishments, including the Business Improvement District. Creating this advice so businesses can advocate, grow, and also be able to navigate and truly understand their economic impact. Another thing that the SDBA does very well is looking at equity and making sure that the developments that happen in Southwest Detroit are for the community, by the community and create that sense of a thriving community . When you look at La Joya Gardens, we were able to start a business and create affordable housing within the business. These are innovative ways to help build the capacity of our local business owners, but also help preserve housing for Southwest Detroit residents, especially when market rates may be unreachable. I think the SDBA has this unique platform to be able to bring people together from different sectors.
- How did you get into associations?
As a child, I always wanted to be a lawyer and went to work in corporate America, but life has a way of going. I know what it’s like to have courage, that determination, that feeling of wanting more, not just for myself, but for my family and my community. I think that’s what got me into this division. I was introduced to Wayne State University. I was hired in one of their departments and soon joined the conference on Latino issues. I was also part of their Latin study group. It was an opportunity for students to discover their heritage but also to help provide them with resources for college. Although I have a background in business administration — I have a master’s degree in public administration and now a law degree with a concentration in business law — it has always been used to help others.
- What do you envision for the future of the SDBA and the Southwest Detroit business community?
I know the future is bright. We have worked this year on systems work and organizational capacity. I see them continuing to thrive and advocate, continuing to contribute resources to their businesses. I see a Southwestern Detroit that is inclusive, that celebrates the traditions that have historically been part of the community, while inviting others.
- What’s your favorite restaurant in southwest Detroit?
I love tamales, and I’ll give you one place that comes closest to my mom’s tamales: Tamaleria Nuevo Leon. This is the region where I come from; I grew up in Mexico in Nuevo Leon.
