At Rathbun Insurance, we firmly believe that if you are not investing in our youth, you are missing out on the future of innovation, inspiration, and leadership. That’s why we were so honored to attend the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) Detroit Chapter's Scholarship Breakfast this week — an event that left our hearts full and our spirits inspired.
CEO Ben Rathbun, President Laura Stoken, and Producer Darren Bardell proudly represented Rathbun Insurance, bringing with them a few very special guests:
Miguel Solis, our former Rathbun intern, now a sophomore at Michigan State University, leading MSU’s first-ever insurance fraternity, Gamma Iota Sigma
Starice Houston, a friend and partner from AF Group
Renee Yancy, President of the Detroit Rotary Club
The National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA), founded in 1997, is a non-profit dedicated to enriching the professional experiences of African Americans in the insurance industry. Learn more about NAAIA nationally and NAAIA Detroit’s local impact, where they are proudly celebrating 20 years of service through education, partnership, and volunteerism.
One of NAAIA Detroit’s signature initiatives is their scholarship program, now in its fourth year. This program has awarded more than $20,000 to young scholars pursuing degrees in insurance, business, and related fields — creating a more diverse and robust talent pipeline for the insurance industry.
We were especially excited to celebrate two local scholarship winners with close ties to our community:
🎓 Rashaun Gant – a graduate of Mrs. Colizzi’s Business and Risk Management Class at Wilson Talent Center in Mason, MI, heading to Central Michigan University
🎓 Shany Mesadieu – a Lansing School District graduate, heading to Ball State University
Congratulations, Rashaun and Shany! Your hard work, passion, and leadership shine bright, and we cannot wait to see all you accomplish.
Today was so much more than an event — it was a powerful reminder of the importance of showing up for our young people. The room was filled with inspiration, power, and love. Watching these
students speak with such eloquence and confidence was a true testament to the amazing future leaders rising up all around us.
At Rathbun Insurance, our commitment to fostering the next generation of insurance professionals remains steadfast. We’re proud to stand alongside organizations like NAAIA Detroit that are changing lives and shaping our industry for the better.
Because when we invest in our youth, we invest in a future full of hope, innovation, and endless possibilities.
