Denise Ilitch show

Paying It Forward Builds Confidence

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"Substance abuse is a disease; it is not a moral failing, and there is help out there."  Linda Davis 
In this episode Denise talks to Judge Linda Davis, whose life's work has always been about helping fellow Michiganders.  Beginning with some bad advice of a high school counselor gave her, her tenacity and passion for helping families with loved ones who struggle with addiction has been fueled by her ability to channel negative experiences into doing good work.  Her secret to success?  Surrounding herself with positive people. 

Find out from Linda: 

  • Her advice to families struggling with addiction 
  • Why it's critical not to stigmatize addiction
  • Why Covid is a catalyst for change 
  • The CRAZY lies she's been told about herself, BUT refused to believe 
  • The value of volunteerism 
 

Judge Linda Davis received her undergraduate degree from Oakland University and her JD from Wayne State University.  Davis spent 13 years as a high school teacher in Michigan before becoming a Macomb County prosecutor for another 13 years.  She served 19 years as a Michigan State District Court judge, where she also oversaw the drug court.  In 2007 Davis co-founded the grassroots organization Families Against Narcotics, which has helped over 6,000 families in Michigan access treatment services for addiction.  In 2019 she stepped down from her judgeship to become the organization's first executive director.  Davis sits on Michigan's Opioids Task Force Advisory Board. 

 

Denise Ilitch, an of Ilitch Family Companies and President of Ilitch Enterprises, has been a part of Detroit's business and philanthropic community for over 40 years.  As a mother, lawyer, entrepreneur, devoted community servant and tireless advocate for women and children, she learned early, from her father, that everyone is worthy of contributing to the world.  Her passion for affordable, accessible, quality education stems from her own experience as a first-generation student, earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, where she currently serves on the Board of Regents. 

 

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