CommunityAuthor
Winner: Mitch Albom; mitchalbom.com
Finalists: Brian Bartes, Josh Malerman, Kristy Robinett, Nandi Comer, Stephen Mack Jones, Viola Shipman (Wade Rouse)
Bartender
Winner: Asher Miller (Grey Ghost); greyghostdetroit.com/team/asher-miller
Finalists: Ann Howard (Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse), Joel Grabenstein (Victoria’s Bistro), Johnny Boyce (FIVE Steakhouse), Max Schikora (Echelon Bar & Kitchen), Soonie Itawi (Sexy Steak), Tina Bellomo (Weiss Distilling Co.),
Chef
Winner: James Rigato (Mabel Gray), Hazel Park; mabelgraykitchen.com
Finalists: Andy Hollyday (Selden Standard), Anthony Lombardo (SheWolf Pastificio & Bar), Colin Campbell (Alpino), Cory Barberio (San Morello), Ernesto Antopia (Café Cortina), Garrett Lipar (Dixboro Project), Jared Gadbaw (Oak & Reel), Javier Bardauil (Barda), Joseph VanWagner (Echelon Kitchen and Bar), Josh Stockton (Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse)
Community organization
Winner: Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program, Detroit; womenoftomorrow.org
Finalists: 1 Mother 2 Another, Chaldean Community Foundation, Easterseals MORC, Elmwood Blessing Box, Guiding Harbor, Impact 100 Oakland County, United Community Family Services
Fundraising gala
Winner: Detroit Zoo’s Sunset at the Zoo, Royal Oak; detroitzoo.org/events/sunset-at-the-zoo
Finalists: Anton Art Center’s ArtParty, Chaldean Community Foundation’s Annual Gala, Detroit Auto Show Charity Preview, Dynami Foundation’s Uncork for a Cure, Eastern Market Harvest Gala, Grace Centers of Hope’s Night of Hope, Hob Nobble Gobble presented by Ford Motor Co., KIDSgala, a David C. McKnight Foundation, Living and Learning Enrichment Center’s Hopes & Dreams Gala, On The Wings of Angels Annual Fundraising Gala, U Can-Cer Vive’s Evening for the Cure
Local music act – original material
Winner: Ebony “KARMA” Dior; ebonykarmadior.bandcamp.com
Finalists: Annemarie Jo, Bluhm, CHOFF, Coffin Jockeys, George Montrelle, Jackamo, Panda House, Sean Blackman, Songsmith
Local music act – covers
Winner: Mega 80’s; mega80s.com
Finalists: Chit!, RockStar, Vavoom, Your Generation In Concert
Organization for people with disabilities
Winner: Friendship Circle, West Bloomfield; friendshipcircle.org
Finalists: Easterseals MORC, Jarc, Judson Center, Living and Learning Enrichment Center, Paint A Miracle
Radio host
Winner: Mojo (Mojo in the Morning); mojointhemorning.iheart.com
Finalists: Dave & Chuck “The Freak”, Jay Towers (Jay Towers in the Morning), Paul W. Smith (WJR), Ryan Patrick Hooper (101.9 in the Groove), Scott Randall (Screamin Scott Randall)
Radio News or Sports Reporter
Winner: Ryan Ermanni (WJR); fox2detroit.com/person/e/ryan-ermanni
Finalists: Charlie Langton (WWJ), Dan Leach (WHMI), Dan Miller (97.1 The Ticket), Jeff Riger (97.1 The Ticket), Jerome Vaughn (WDET), Mike Stone (97.1 The Ticket), Pat Batcheller (WDET)
TV anchor or host
Winner: Ryan Ermanni (FOX 2); fox2detroit.com/person/e/ryan-ermanni
Finalists: Alicia Smith (WXYZ/Channel 7), Glenda Lewis (WXYZ/Channel 7), Jay Towers (FOX 2), Kimberly Gill (WDIV/Local 4), Maurielle Lue (FOX 2), Rhonda Walker (WDIV/Local 4), Roop Raj (FOX 2)
TV News or Sports Reporter
Winner: Brad Galli (WXYZ/Channel 7); wxyz.com/brad-galli
Finalists: Charlie Langton (FOX 2), Dan Miller (FOX 2), Faraz Javed (WXYZ/Channel 7), Jennifer Hammond (FOX 2), Jessica Dupnack (FOX 2), Lauren Kostiuk (WDIV/Local 4), Ruta Ulcinaite (WXYZ/Channel 7), Ryan Ermanni (FOX 2)
SPORTSPrivate golf course
Winner: Detroit Golf Club, Detroit; detroitgolfclub.org
Finalists: Oakland Hills Country Club, Red Run Golf Club, Shenandoah Country Club, Wabeek Club
Professional sports team
Winner: Detroit Lions; detroitlions.com
Finalists: Detroit City Football Club, Detroit Pistons, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers
Professional sports team athlete
Winner: Aidan Hutchinson (Detroit Lions); detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/aidan-hutchinson
Finalists: Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detroit Lions), Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons), Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings), Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions), Jared Goff (Detroit Lions), Moritz Seider (Detroit Red Wings), Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers)
Professional sports team coach or manager
Winner: Dan Campbell (Detroit Lions); detroitlions.com/team/coaches-roster/dan-campbell
Finalists: A.J. Hinch (Detroit Tigers), Danny Dichio (DCFC), J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit Pistons), Todd McLellan (Detroit Red Wings)
Professional sports team venue
Winner: Comerica Park (Tigers); mlb.com/tigers/ballpark
Finalists: Ford Field (Lions), Keyworth Stadium (DCFC), Little Caesars Arena (Pistons, Red Wings), UWM Field/Jimmy John’s Field (Four USPBL Teams)
Public golf course
Winner: Shepherd’s Hollow, Clarkston; shepherdshollow.com
Finalists: Fox Hills, The Cardinal, The Links at Hunter’s Ridge
This story originally appeared in the June 2026 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.