Oakland County, MI — December 20, 2025— A talented group of 80 young Oakland County residents are among the latest recipients of grants through the Acorn2Oak Program, an initiative started by Oakland County in 2023 in partnership with Leadership Oakland. The Acorn2Oak program empowers Oakland County youth between the ages of 8 and 18 by providing grants of up to $1,000 to help launch initiatives in areas including business development, community impact, arts and culture, STEM and social entrepreneurship. These grants are designed to spark confidence, nurture creativity, and inspire leadership in the next generation.

“We have such talented young people in Oakland County, and we want to do everything we can to help them turn their skills and dreams into reality,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “These are the leaders and entrepreneurs of our future and I’m proud to play a part in their career path.”

Leadership Oakland is proud to partner with Oakland County on this initiative”, said Susan Hollady, Executive Director, Leadership Oakland. “These grants not only support youth projects but also inspire civic engagement and leadership at an early age.”

The latest class of Acorn2Oak recipients, include:

Business & Entrepreneurial Development

• Julianna Achatz, Bold Jules Jewelry, 13, South Lyon
• Kareem Alaiwat, SpareLot, 17, Bloomfield Hills
• Kaitlyn Alexander, Furthering Henna Hideawah, 17, Waterford
• Javontae Anderson, Bug Lenz Media Videography, 17, Auburn Hills
• Gianna Barnett, Nails by G, 16, Waterford
• Lilly Beasley, My Dream Accessories, 9, Oak Park
• Taron Chavois, Ernesto Landscape Business, 16, Troy
• David Broden, I’m a DJ, 17, Farmington Hills
• Alexis Desmier, Dear Desmier, 18, Royal Oak
• Mekenzie Dickerson, Kenzie’s Art and Affirmations, 10, Southfield
• Salvatore Di Nito, Di Nito Landscaping, 17, Rochester Hills
• Yosef Elbaz, Meticulous Mowing, 13, Southfield
• Matthew Elliott, Expanding my 3D Printing Business, 12, Milford
• Andres Eshak, Mobile Car Detailing Subscription Service, 18, Madison Heights
• Malia Fahnestock, Bumble Beads: Empowering Creativity and Supporting Service Dogs for Veterans, 10, South Lyon
• Charlotte Farmer, 3d Printing Business, 12, Waterford
• Bobbi Ferguson, Be Sweet Lemonade Factory, 8, Farmington Hills
• Phoebe Fritz, Fritz Rocks, 8, South Lyon
• Jonel Gamez, Lawn Mowing Plan, 18, Pontiac
• Luca Genrich, GR Detailing, 17, Farmington
• Kindall Gilmore, Making every girl feel beautiful, one hairstyle at a time, 14, Hazel Park
• Joseph Gonzales, Photography and Videography Business, 17, Lake Orion
• Aniecia Guerrero Woods, 4 Directions Yoga with Aniecia for Kids, 9, Southfield
• Malcolm Hatcher, MJ’s Gourmet Treats, 11, Southfield
• Gia Hingorani, G & G Accessories by Jewell Clip, 8, Commerce Township
• Jaiden Horace, Jr., Window Washing, 13, Southfield
• Anissa Jackson, Stitching Fairy Designs, 8, Royal Oak
• Amelia Keith, Mia’s Bakery Start Up, 8, Farmington Hills
• Rayan Khan, Jsu Details, 18, Farmington
• Henry Lynch, H3nryDoesEverything, 13, Milford
• Arman Mahmud, Motor Mate, 17, Bloomfield Hills
• Gabrielle Marx, Woodworking Shop, 14, South Lyon
• Josephina Marx, Kandi Creations, 14, South Lyon
• Cameron Meesseman, PossumAlleyStudios, 18, Ferndale
• Kennedy Merckx and Jenna Bowman, Kandles and More, 13, South Lyon
• Mia Mracna, Swim with Confidence: Empowering Kids Through Swim Lessons and Water Safety, 15, Huntington Woods
• Kennedy Murar, Innovative Phone Case Design and Marketing Initiative, 18, Oak Park
• Lauren Newman, CoCo Cuddles, 14, Pontiac
• Kaydence Reeves, Kay’s Kreations, 11, New Hudson
• Ma’kayla Render, Sweetsbykaay, 18, Oak Park
• Kelsey Rollinson, Kelly’s Creations, 16, Ortonville
• Samantha Rollinson, Music School, 18, Ortonville
• Drake Scott, Eklipsz Apparel: Empowering Creativity Through Custom Clothing Transfer Design, 12, Pontiac
• Aubrey Sheldon, Dance Box: Dance at Your Door, 11, Davisburg
• Jeremiah Sexton, Jerry’s Gems, 12, Waterford
• Amir Spann, Teen Braiding Stylist, 16, Pontiac
• Nesanel Trakhtenberg, Landscaping and Snow Removal, 10, Southfield
• Dominic Valente, Evolution Express Detailing, 17, West Bloomfield
• Christopher Wagner, Christopher’s Chocolate Pretzels, 8, Farmington Hills
• Annie Williams, The Stuff Store, 11, South Lyon
• Lanette Williams, Nail Technician, 17, Oak Park
• Madison Young, Maddie on the go LLC, 16, Southfield

Community Involvement

• Lydia Binelli, Bravery Bears, 17, Berkley
• Taylor Brewer, Sleigh for Smiles Grant, 12, Waterford
• Matilda Edvardsson, West Bloomfield Has Heart, 16, West Bloomfield
• Andrew Ge and Christopher Laboda, Immigration Employment Support Project (Ezerday), 17, Oakland
• Greta (Mage) Green, Food For Us, 17, Farmington Hills
• Katherine Kehrer, Stick to Mental Health, 17, Lake Orion
• Ravenna Leddy, Ravenna Helps Lessenger Elementary, 9, Madison Heights
• Shaelyn Simms, Juneteenth Coloring Book, 16, Royal Oak
• Brandon Woods Jr., Braided Wisdom: Grass Dancing as a Bridge to Leadership, 11, Southfield

Educational Achievement

• Julia Salanta, Solar-Powered Battery Charger and Filament Recycler, 17, Rochester Hills
• Kalan Shah, Eagle Scout Project – Adirondack Chairs for Heritage Park, 16, Farmington Hills
• Abu Touray, MyGoal, 18, Pontiac
• Anna Wang, TVC Leadership Workshop, 16, Troy
• Kayleigh Yessayan, AGBU Manoogian Beach Bum Robotics STEAM TEAM (“7692 Beach Bums”), 16, Northville

Extracurricular Investment

• Mackenzie Allen, Extracurricular Activity, 8 Farmington Hills
• Rayven, Clark, Road back to Dance!, 11 Pontiac
• Kaylee Curry, Volleyball League, 10 Clarkston
• Jenesis Davis, Skate to Colorado, 10, West Bloomfield
• Luke Desnoyer, LearnLax – Free Youth Lacrosse Training, 17 Royal Oak
• Hailey Grace Henderson, Quest Allstar Competitive Cheer, 13, Pontiac
• Matthew Hoag, Diving Deeper for Conservation, 13, Clarkston
• Julia Malone, Expanding the Reach of Royal Oak Model United Nations, 17, Royal Oak
• Jackson Perry, Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, Drum Corps International, 17, Lake Orion
• Miles Reavis, Speedcuber, 14, Pontiac
• Lila Tasdemir, Interlochen Double Bass Intensive, 17, Farmington Hills
• Kuumba Touray, GTC Gymnastics: Tumbling Beginner 17, Pontiac
• George Vettraino, Giggle Pickle Middle School Robotics Team heading to World Championship, 11, Ferndale
• Layla Williamson, Troy Gymnastics Tumbling Class, 10, Southfield

About Oakland County

Oakland County serves residents with programs and services that enhance quality of life, foster innovation, and strengthen communities. County Executive David Coulter announced the Acorn2Oak program in his 2023 State of the County address. The program has awarded grants to XXX young Oakland County residents.

About Leadership Oakland

Leadership Oakland is a premier leadership development organization in Michigan, dedicated to cultivating leaders who make a positive impact in their communities.

For more information about Acorn2Oak or upcoming application cycles, please visit Leadership Oakland at Acorn2Oak Youth Grant Program – Leadership Oakland.