Acorn2Oak

05/21/2026

05/11/2026

What an inspiring evening celebrating the 2025 Acorn2Oak Grant Recipients!

Leadership Oakland, along with Oakland County, was proud to host the Acorn2Oak Reception, recognizing an incredible group of young entrepreneurs and innovators from across Oakland County. The evening featured product showcases, meaningful conversations, and a celebration of the creativity and determination these young leaders bring to their communities.

We were honored to have Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter address the group and share words of encouragement as we celebrated the impact of investing in youth-driven ideas and future leadership.

Acorn2Oak provides mini-grants of up to $1,000 to Oakland County residents ages 8–18, helping turn ideas into action across four key areas:
• Business and organizational development
• Community impact
• Educational achievement
• Extracurricular investment

Through this program, young people are transforming their creativity into real accomplishments while building confidence, skills, and community connection.

A special congratulations to the grant recipients who showcased their products and ventures during the reception:
• Kennedy Merckx & Jenna Bowman – Kandles and More
• Josephina Marx – Kandi Creations
• Gabrielle Marx – Woodworking Shop
• Leah May – Ether Sticks
• Shaelyn Simms – Juneteenth Coloring Book Printing
• Alexis Desmier Germany – Dear Desmier
• Matthew Elliott – 3D Printing Business

Thank you to everyone who joined us in supporting and celebrating the next generation of entrepreneurs, creators, and changemakers.

04/08/2026

At Leadership Oakland, we know that big ideas often begin with small, creative sparks — and through our partnership with Oakland County, Michigan Government, the Acorn2Oak Youth Grant Program continues to nurture those ideas into meaningful impact.

Acorn2Oak provides mini-grants of up to $1,000 to Oakland County residents ages 8–18, supporting their goals in four key areas:
• Business & Organizational Development
• Educational Achievement
• Extracurricular Investment
• Community Impact

This program empowers young leaders to turn their passions into action while building skills that will serve them for years to come.

Today, we’re excited to spotlight Acorn2Oak Youth Grant recipient Anissa Jackson, founder of Stitching Fairy Designs.

Anissa launched her business last year with the help of a previous grant, starting with handmade scrunchies and quickly expanding her product line to include sewn bookmarks and unique fabric and wood earrings. Her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit continue to grow as she looks to take her business to the next level.

With this new grant opportunity, Anissa not only planned to expand her inventory with new materials like fabric, thread, and ribbon—but also wanted to give back in a meaningful way. Inspired by her love of reading, Anissa has sewn a custom bookmark for every student at her school, spreading both creativity and encouragement to fellow readers! Way to go Anissa!

Anissa’s story is a perfect example of what Acorn2Oak is all about: empowering young entrepreneurs to grow their businesses while making a positive impact in their communities.

We are proud to support leaders like Anissa as they continue to dream big, create boldly, and give back.

If you know a young leader ready to bring their ideas to life, learn more about the program here: https://www.leadershipoakland.com/acorn2oak-youth-grant-program/

04/03/2026

At Leadership Oakland, we believe the leaders of tomorrow are already exploring their passions today — and through our partnership with Oakland County, Michigan Government, the Acorn2Oak Youth Grant Program helps turn those passions into possibilities.

Acorn2Oak provides mini-grants of up to $1,000 to Oakland County residents ages 8–18, supporting their growth in four key areas:
• Business & Organizational Development
• Educational Achievement
• Extracurricular Investment
• Community Impact

By investing in young people, this program helps build confidence, skills, and a vision for the future.

Today, we’re proud to spotlight Acorn2Oak Youth Grant recipient Luca Jackson.

This past summer, Luca attended a video game design camp at iCode Troy—an experience that sparked both excitement and ambition. After discovering a passion for creating and understanding video games, Luca is eager to continue learning and expanding his skills in this rapidly evolving field.

With support from the Acorn2Oak program, Luca hopes to further his studies at iCode Troy, gaining deeper knowledge in technology and game design. He recognizes that technology is always changing and is motivated to grow alongside it—building skills that could lead to a successful future career. See some of his work here!

Luca’s curiosity, drive, and forward-thinking mindset reflect exactly what Acorn2Oak is designed to support: young individuals who are excited to learn, explore, and shape their futures.

We’re honored to support Luca as he continues his journey in technology and innovation.

If you know a young leader ready to take the next step in their growth, learn more about the program here: https://www.leadershipoakland.com/acorn2oak-youth-grant-program/

03/05/2026

At Leadership Oakland, we believe leadership starts early — and through our partnership with Oakland County Government, the Acorn2Oak Youth Grant Program is helping make that belief a reality.

Acorn2Oak provides mini-grants of up to $1,000 to Oakland County residents ages 8–18, supporting their dreams in four key areas:
• Business & Organizational Development
• Educational Achievement
• Extracurricular Investment
• Community Impact

Through this program, creative ideas are transformed into tangible achievements — fostering the next generation of innovators and community leaders.

Today, we’re proud to spotlight Acorn2Oak Youth Grant recipients Kandles & More, led by Kennedy Merckx and Jenna Bowman.

Last summer, Kennedy and Jenna launched their soy candle business with a focus on quality, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. Their candles are made from clean-burning soy wax that doesn’t release harmful chemicals and offers impressive burn times — 45–55 hours for jars and 25–30 hours for tins — thanks to thoughtful research and product testing.

They source high-quality materials from CandleScience, supporting U.S.-made products and other American businesses. From carefully measuring ingredients to ensuring consistent labeling and professional presentation, these young entrepreneurs are learning what it truly takes to build a brand.

Kandles & More sells at local farmers and holiday markets, markets to friends and family, and is expanding with plans for a website, neighborhood flyers, and continued social media outreach. They’re even reinvesting in upgraded label materials to enhance their product presentation — demonstrating real-world business decision-making and long-term vision.

This is exactly what Acorn2Oak is about: empowering young leaders to dream boldly, act intentionally, and grow their ideas into something meaningful.

We are honored to support youth like Kennedy and Jenna as they light the way for Oakland County’s future. If you know of any other future leaders who would like to find out more about the program, please visit https://www.leadershipoakland.com/acorn2oak-youth-grant-program/

03/04/2026

Upcoming Deadline for Future Leaders!

Now is the time to apply for the Acorn2Oak Youth Grant Program — applications are due March 15, 2026.

Acorn2Oak awards grants of up to $1,000 to Oakland County youth ages 8–18, empowering them to turn big ideas into real impact. This partnership between Leadership Oakland and Oakland County, Michigan Government supports youth in four key areas.

Business & Entrepreneurial Development
Community Impact
Educational Achievement
Extracurricular Investment

Whether it’s starting a small business, pursuing a passion, excelling in school, or making a difference in the community, Acorn2Oak helps young innovators grow their dreams.

Know a future leader? Encourage them to apply today! https://www.leadershipoakland.com/acorn2oak-youth-grant-program/

01/16/2026

**Celebrating Youth Growth Through Extracurricular Investment!**

Leadership Oakland is proud to partner with Oakland County, Michigan Government on the Acorn2Oak Youth Grant Program, supporting young people as they pursue passions beyond the classroom—building confidence, discipline, and leadership through extracurricular opportunities.

Through the "Extracurricular Investment" category, Oakland County youth ages 8–18 are receiving grants of up to $1,000 to expand access to athletics, arts, STEM, and enrichment programs that foster personal growth and lifelong skills.

Congratulations to our Extracurricular Investment grant recipients:

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

These young participants are building skills, confidence, and leadership through meaningful experiences—and Leadership Oakland is proud to help open doors that allow their talents to shine.

For more information about the Acorn2Oak Grant Program, please visit: https://f.mtr.cool/aentlolhez