Inspired Heroes

“As a gathering place where people and the arts have intersected to form memories over many generations, The War Memorial has become a curator for many inspiring and meaningful stories,” says War Memorial President and CEO, Charles Burke. “We can’t wait to introduce metro Detroit to all the things they never knew about this amazing cultural institution – along with a few surprises.

The Inspired Heroes show was created to share the organization’s unique mission and commitment to being a patriotic, cultural and community leader while placing a thoughtful spotlight on Michigan heroes, leaders, and their inspirational stories and experiences.

If you or someone you know is a Michigan Hero that would like to be featured on the show, email [email protected]

About The War Memorial

The War Memorial, located on the shores of Lake Saint Clair in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, is a legacy-filled institution with a reenergized determination to emerge as a regional driver of arts, learning, patriotism, hospitality and connectivity. Situated on the grounds of the historic Alger Estate, The War Memorial serves an estimated 250,000 individuals with over 3,000 functions annually, including programs to honor veterans, engagement experiences for adults and children, community events and celebrations, and premier hospitality services. With new programming and innovative leadership, The War Memorial is a unique, dynamic and forward-thinking hub for southeast Michigan with a mission to be a patriotic, cultural, and community leader.

For more information and event schedule visit www.warmemorial.org.

WJR Host and afternoon anchor, Marie Osborne and past War Memorial board chairman, Ted Everingham, will engage listeners with a variety of guests in playful conversations that will reveal the many unknown and fascinating stories of life, arts, entertainment, and rites of passage revolving around this vibrant community hub in its picturesque location on beautiful Lake Saint Clair. Marie and Ted will be joined from time to by special co-host Charles Burke, President of the War Memorial.

Marie Osborne is an Anchor and Reporter for WJR Radio Detroit. She has been named one of the most influential women in Detroit radio and her work has been heard on the ABC and CBS radio networks. She has reported from China and Europe and her work has been heard internationally on the BBC and Voice of America. She is a graduate of the University of Detroit, a three time winner of the national Edward R. Murrow award, and the winner of a national Headliner Award. Marie has been honored numerous times by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and Associated Press.

Ted Everingham has made a career of advising businesses and business people, who know and appreciate him as a creative, results-oriented attorney with a strong background in general corporate law, securities regulation, complex negotiations and mergers, acquisitions and other major business transactions. Since 1998, Everingham and Associates has been a successful law practice advising businesses and business people about business organization, capital formation, business finance, joint ventures and mergers, acquisitions and other complex commercial transactions. Clients include manufacturers, retailers, hospitals, medical practice groups and other healthcare providers, investment banking firms and professional and other service businesses.

Charles Burke is the President and CEO of The War Memorial, a waterfront cultural campus that curate’s experiences focusing on arts, culture, film, patriotism, community connectivity, and leadership. His work has empowered the total transformation of The War Memorial as a regional impact organization that embraces a culture of curiosity, accessibility, transparency, service, entrepreneurialism, and nuanced disruption. Passionate about providing accessibility to the arts for all people, Charles spent a significant portion of his career as both an executive and orchestral conductor for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. As the Sr. Director of Education for the DSO, Charles was responsible for the development of the Pincus Education Center in Midtown Detroit as well as initiatives such as the African American Fellowship, a graduate level training program tackling diversity in classical music. Charles is a graduate of Leadership Detroit XXXV and enjoys several volunteer roles including Board Director for Jefferson East, Inc., Board Director for TechTown Detroit, the Community Advisory Board for Beaumont Health Grosse Pointe, The Editorial Board of the Grosse Pointe News, Executive Producer for Live Inspired Productions, and past Board Director for the Michigan Youth Arts Festival. He holds degrees from George Mason University, West Virginia University, and executive leadership training at the Harvard Business School, Columbia College, and National Arts Strategies.