When Dr. Carmen founded SP Grace in August 2007, she wasn’t just starting a business, she was creating a living tribute to the extraordinary women who shaped her life. Named in honor of her great-grandmother, mother, and grandmother, SP Grace emerged from a deep well of gratitude and admiration for these remarkable women who instilled in her the values of strength, tenacity, and intellectual pursuit.
The Foundation of Family
“These women taught me the value of perseverance, and I’ve carried that lesson into every facet of this business,” Dr. Carmen shares, her voice carrying the weight of generations of wisdom. This foundation of family strength would prove essential as she built her company from the ground up, starting with a focus on event production and planning. But SP Grace was always destined to be more than just an events company, it was a vessel for transformation, both for organizations and the people within them.
A Natural Evolution
Drawing from her expertise in adult workplace learning, Dr. Carmen began weaving together event planning with deeper organizational development work. Corporate conferences transformed into opportunities for genuine growth, fundraisers became platforms for community building, and training workshops evolved into catalysts for lasting change. Her unique approach to leadership development, team management, and interpersonal communication resonated deeply with clients, who recognized the authentic care and expertise she brought to every engagement.
The 2022 Dream Realized
Perhaps the most touching chapter in SP Grace’s story came in April 2022, when a lifelong dream materialized: Dr. Carmen welcomed her mother, Dr. Marilynn Bell, as an equal partner and Chief Operating Officer. This mother-daughter partnership, built on 30 years of Dr. Bell’s expertise in business ownership and training strategy, marked a new era for SP Grace. Together, they’ve expanded the company’s reach significantly, with impressive client satisfaction rates of over 97% under their joint leadership.
Today, from their home in Detroit’s TechTown entrepreneurial hub, SP Grace stands as a testament to the power of leading with heart. Their impressive client roster, including organizations like the City of Detroit, Goodyear, UAW-Ford Joint Trusts, and the USDA, speaks to their excellence, but it’s the deeply personal, people-centered approach that truly sets them apart. Every solution is crafted with the same care and attention that Dr. Carmen learned from the strong women in her family.
SP Grace’s evolution reflects a deepening of purpose. Whether working with frontline supervisors or boardroom executives, Dr. Carmen and her team bring the same dedication to creating respectful, accountable, high-performing workplaces that have defined their journey from the beginning.
As SP Grace continues to grow and evolve, one thing remains constant: the spirit of those three remarkable women who inspired its creation. Their legacy lives on in every training session, every consultation, and every life touched by the company’s work. For Dr. Carmen, this isn’t just business, it’s a continuation of a family legacy of strength, wisdom, and grace, promising that the best is yet to come.
