BasBlue: (def: a woman having intellectual or literary interests. A bluestocking)
Founded in 2021 by Nancy Tellem and Natacha Hildebrand, BasBlue is a nonprofit organization and first-ever women and non-binary space in Detroit dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive community by fostering authentic connections, leadership, and growth opportunities through educational seminars, mentorship programs, and other programming.
BasBlue is located in a 2.5-story Queen Anne home at 110 E. Ferry St. that was built in 1887. The building has had many uses over the years, including as the residence of William Jackson, an early Michigan telephone pioneer, and the Michigan State Telephone Co. It was also home to the Merrill-Palmer Motherhood and Home Training School, and Your Heritage House, a children’s museum. The building was vacant for a couple of decades before Tellem purchased it in 2018 and began renovations with a team of architects and designers in 2019. BasBlue opened its doors in October 2021.
Four months ago, BasBlue named United Way executive Ellen Gilchrist as its first CEO.
ELLEN GILCHRIST, CEO
Detroitisit sat down with Gilchrist to hear more about BasBlue.
Q: Tell us about BasBlue.
A: BasBlue is a physical space in the heart of the cultural district where we work to support, connect and empower women and nonbinary individuals toward becoming their best selves. It is an annual membership based community and we offer member programming and specific impact programming that’s targeted around empowering entrepreneurs to find their pathways.
Q: What is the impetus behind it?
A: We are a unique space. There is nothing like this in Detroit. Nancy Tellem and Natacha Hildebrand joined forces to create it. Nancy, being relatively new to Detroit, noticed the lack of a dedicated community space for women and non-binary individuals. She understood the powerful impact such a community could have in supporting individuals and fostering economic mobility.
Natacha – with her experience in developing Doyenne – a national community of 2,000+ women hosting dinners, conferences, and educational seminars that was eventually purchased by AllBright! – partnered with Nancy to envision what something like this could look like in Detroit.
The goal is to make this space fully accessible — a physical location that also offers programming and community support. It’s designed to foster connections and share resources, empowering the community as a whole.
Q: What pain points do you address for Detroit and SE Michigan women and nonbinary individuals?
A: We know there can be ceilings for women both professionally and personally and we seek to attack this intimately.
Women do not receive the same level of funding as male entrepreneurs, and it can be hugely challenging to be a female starting a business – not just from a capital standpoint but also to gain support and a skill set that is transferable.
BASBLUE INTERIORS
BasBlue is also a safe space to have conversations about things often not talked about, be that women’s health, economic mobility, how to care for elderly parents, and more.
Q: Walk us through the different programs offered.
A: The Zero to One Entrepreneurial Fellowship is a six-month fellowship for those just beginning their entrepreneurial journey. It includes a full curriculum plus coaching and at the end of the program, participants come out with a business plan and capital that’s ready to launch.
Our Trailblazer-in-Residence Scholarship Program awards funds to new business owners and is meant to foster accessibility regardless of income or circumstances.
We hold a Founders and Fund(hers) Pitch Day – a supportive pitch process to raise capital and gain exposure. We invite local investors, serial entrepreneurs, business leaders, and more to offer feedback and help these members along.
We offer member and community engagement which is a wide series of programming geared around helping people think about health and wellness, learn from each other, and grow together.
Our Art of BasBlue program supports local artists through a rotating, curated collection, and also helps educate the community about the value of art and how to support it.
The Chef-In-Residence Program, in partnership with In the Business of Food (IBF Detroit), Eastern Market, and Wayne State University aims to empower women and nonbinary entrepreneurs in the food business and educate members and the community at large about making informed decisions about nutrition.
We are also now working with local youth with our Future Founders Club, which helps to educate and empower high school students about entrepreneurialism, and our Gen Z program that taps into their unique perspectives and brings this demographic together.
BASBLUE LOUNGE SPACE
Q: What are some success stories that have resulted from these programs?
A: We had a member come in today that I consider a success story. She owns a new business with a partner and they use our space to meet and film their social media and marketing content. That is one role we fill.
Another member is Marquita Richardson who founded Sweet Paws Creamery, a mobile ice cream cart that serves dairy and sugar-free ice cream treats for pups. BasBlue helped her to start the business by giving her seed money.
Our Zero to One program assisted I’Sha Schultz-Spradlin in launching Black Moon Bathhouse – a safe and inclusive place focused on self-care.
Q: You became CEO in May. What are your thoughts on being in this role?
A: I am loving it. This role is very much about connecting people, and I get to see the impact this has. It’s about allowing myself and our team to pour back into others and that has been a treat. Every day I feel so lucky to do this work.
Q: How do you think BasBlue impacts the city of Detroit?
A: It’s a space where women can come and learn and connect and grow and I hope to expand it into more parts of the city.
I think our newer programs focused on high school girls and Gen Z will have a long-term impact and empower individuals to open amazing businesses.
I hope we help women and nonbinary individuals see themselves differently and become empowered to do great things in and for the city.
Q: What is your vision for BasBlue, and where are you taking it?
A: Our vision is to make BasBlue a place where everyone feels welcome and finds something meaningful. We want to offer a space that not only provides programming and connections but also fosters a sense of belonging. With over 650 members, we’re committed to creating a community focused on learning, growth, and important conversations.
We aim to address everyday issues—like managing aging parents or career challenges—and bring people together to learn from each other. Moving forward, we’re excited to expand our offerings and continue building a stronger, more connected community.
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