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Best of Detroit 2026: Community & Sports

Mitch Albom and Dan Campbell

Community

Author

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)

SPORTS

Private 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.




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