Our Michigan Story

Founded in 2008, the Michigan chapter is a large and active chapter of ROC United. We consist of thousands of restaurant workers, High Road employers and engaged consumers statewide, who are united together to improve working conditions and raise wages in the restaurant industry.

The Michigan chapter, as it reflects the mission and vision of ROC United, aims to advance the interests of restaurant workers by engaging them as leaders in our organizing efforts, connecting them with other restaurant workers, High Road restaurateurs, policy-makers, consumers, voters, and institutions, and expanding and deepening their skills and voices in the industry.

Our Team

Allen Lee

Case Manager

Allen came to ROC from Goodwill Industries, where he specialized in workforce development. In 2017 he joined ROC-MI to coordinate Restore Detroit, a skills training program for returning citizens and survivors of domestic violence. He managed the daily operations of the training classes and maintained compliance with major stakeholders. In 2019 Allen’s focus shifted to coordinating ROC-MI’s CHOW (Colors Hospitality Opportunity for Workers) Institute, which provides free 8-week industry specific classes, building the ladder of success for restaurant workers. Allen’s dedication to justice for restaurant workers comes from his lived experience of witnessing his mother’s struggle with wage and tip theft as a hospitality worker.

Laura MacIntyre

Organizer

Laura MacIntyre is an Organizer with ROC Michigan, serving the restaurant workers in Flint. She earned a BA in sociology from Smith College. She uses her formal education and experience to fight for better living and working conditions in traditionally marginalized communities. She continued her post graduate studies at UC San Diego.

She has been a public sociologist for over 30 years, and has a lecturer appointment at the University of Michigan (Flint) where she previously served as the Campus Chair of the Lecturer’s Union. She is a nationally recognized community activist, notably advocating for victims of the Flint Water Crisis since 2014. In 2020 she was elected to the Flint Community School Board to serve a six-year term. 

Margrove Conservancy
Madame Cadillac Building, Second Floor
8425 West McNichols
Detroit, Michigan 48221
 
Text ROC to 40817
 
Restaurant Opportunities Center of Michigan is a chapter of the ROC United non-profit organization.