Aya House

09/10/2026

Join us in wishing a Happy belated birthday to our beloved Founding Member, Cheryl “Che’row” Johnson.

Some people join a community. Others help define its spirit.

Che’row has been that kind of presence at Aya House from the beginning. She is a servant leader, a visionary, a truth-teller, a life-giver, and a woman who has spent decades turning compassion into systems of care for Detroit families.

Her commitment to community is not performative. It is personal. It is lived. It is layered into everything she builds, from her powerful leadership at COTS, to her coaching, to the way she sees people beyond their current circumstances and calls them toward possibility.

This year, we are especially honored to have a beautiful painting on display at Aya House donated in honor of Che’row. Proceeds will help support funding gaps created by our summer program, which feels like such a fitting tribute to a woman whose life’s work has always been about opening doors, restoring dignity, and making sure community has what it needs to thrive.

Che’row, thank you for being a founding light in this house. Thank you for your wisdom, your generosity, your elegance, your advocacy, and your unwavering belief in what is possible when community is placed at the center.

Please join us in wishing Cheryl “Che’row” Johnson a birthday month filled with joy, honor, rest, flowers, love, and every good thing she has poured into others coming back to her.

Happy birthday, Che’row. We love you. 🤍

09/10/2026

NEW AT AYA HOUSE: TUESDAY OPEN HOUSE!

You’ve seen us online. You’ve heard about the events. Now come see Aya House for yourself.

Beginning this Tuesday, Aya House is opening our doors every Tuesday from 1:00–5:00 PM for anyone interested in hosting an event or becoming part of the Aya House membership community.

No appointment needed. No pressure. Just come by, explore the space, ask questions, and imagine what you could do here.

✨ Tour Aya House
🎉 Explore options for your upcoming event
📅 Check availability and book your event on the spot with our team
🏠 Learn about Aya House membership and join on the spot
💬 Talk directly with our team about your ideas and needs

We do have an online registration form to help us know you’re coming, but registration is NOT required. Walk-ins are welcome.

TUESDAY OPEN HOUSE
📍 Aya House | 2055 Gratiot Ave, Detroit
🗓️ Every Tuesday
⏰ 1:00–5:00 PM
🚗 Free parking available

This is one more way we’re making Aya House easier to experience and more accessible to the people who want to gather, celebrate, work, and build here.

Can’t make it on a Tuesday? No problem. We also offer self-guided tours, which many prospective clients have used to explore Aya House on their own schedule. Submit a booking inquiry at ayahouse.org to get started.

Come see the space. Meet the team. And if it feels like the right fit, you can leave with your event booked or your Aya House membership activated. 🖤

09/04/2026

08/28/2026

Capital Connect is NOW IN SESSION for 2026!

Capital Connect X Hardy Hospitality — This cohort is built for our Food & Beverage members.

Capital Connect is a cohort-style program where entrepreneurs will spend 9 weeks learning the ins and outs of their business, formatting a full business plan, financial projections, a pitch, and more!

If you're a Food & Beverage business owner ready to take your vision to the next level, this is your moment.

⏰ Applications close August 31st
👉🏾 Apply now: https://forms.monday.com/forms/aef1e2e28f4e311fef599789d22aa08c?r=use1

08/26/2026

Every gathering has the power to strengthen relationships, celebrate accomplishments, and inspire new possibilities.

At Aya House, that's exactly what we strive to support every day.

From nonprofit organizations and local businesses to entrepreneurs, families, educators, and community leaders, we're proud to provide a space where meaningful moments happen.

With our new flat-rate pricing and easy online booking, planning your next event is simpler than ever. Gather with purpose. Celebrate with intention. Inspire your community.

We can't wait to welcome you to Aya House. Book your event today!

"

08/24/2026

Don't Wait Until Fall to Start Planning!

Here's something many event planners know…

The most popular fall and holiday dates are often reserved weeks—or even months—in advance.

If you've been thinking about planning your:

✔ Staff Retreat
✔ Holiday Party
✔ Board Meeting
✔ Client Appreciation Event
✔ Workshop
✔ Networking Mixer
✔ Family Celebration

Now is the time to reserve your date.

Aya House offers a welcoming historic venue, transparent flat-rate pricing, flexible event spaces, and an easy online booking experience.

Don't let your ideal date slip away.

Reserve today, and cross one big item off your planning checklist.

We can't wait to welcome you!!

08/21/2026

Your Next Great Idea Deserves a Great Space

Some of the most important conversations don't happen in boardrooms, they happen in spaces where people feel inspired.

At Aya House, we've watched organizations launch new initiatives, nonprofits develop strategic plans, entrepreneurs host networking events, educators facilitate workshops, and families celebrate life's biggest milestones.

What they all have in common is choosing a space that encourages authentic connection.

Located in Detroit's historic Eastern Market, Aya House offers the perfect blend of historic charm and modern convenience. Whether you're planning a leadership retreat, board meeting, client appreciation event, networking mixer, or community workshop, our flexible event spaces can accommodate your vision.

Your next great event deserves more than just a venue—it deserves a place where people gather with purpose.

Reserve today and start planning something unforgettable.

"

08/19/2026

Happy Birthday to Anica Crook! 🎉🖤✨

Today we celebrate a visionary entrepreneur, food and beverage leader, event professional, and cherished Friend of Aya House.

As CEO of EM2 Felton Spice LLC, Anica brings flavor, creativity, excellence, and entrepreneurial courage into every space she touches. Her work reminds us that food is more than what we consume. It is culture, memory, gathering, storytelling, and connection.

Anica has supported Aya House from a place of deep belief. When she joined as a Friend of Aya House, she shared that she enjoyed bearing witness to the creation of continued empowerment, knowledge-sharing, and life-enriching opportunities that would help many people reach successful milestones from an idea first born in the minds of two amazing Black women.

That is such a beautiful reflection of who Anica is. She sees vision. She honors process. She understands that great things begin as ideas, but they grow through community, support, consistency, and belief.

Through her gifts in food and beverage, event planning, and project management, Anica represents the kind of creative entrepreneur who helps make gatherings feel meaningful and memorable.

Today, we celebrate her brilliance, her support, her warmth, and the legacy she is continuing to season with purpose.

Happy Birthday, Nic! May this year bring sweetness, abundance, joy, new doors, and every ingredient needed for your next level.

Aya House celebrates you. 🖤✨

08/14/2026

One of the biggest frustrations event planners face is trying to figure out venue pricing.

Hidden fees.
Unexpected costs.
Complicated packages.

With our new flat-rate pricing. Now you can quickly see your investment, select your preferred date, and reserve online without the confusion that often comes with venue shopping.

Aya House offers an inviting environment where every guest feels welcome.

Our historic Detroit venue blends timeless architecture with modern amenities, creating a space that feels both professional and comfortable.

Planning your event should feel exciting—not overwhelming. Explore our online booking platform, choose the option that fits your event, and secure your preferred date before someone else does.

Your next unforgettable gathering starts here.