Local business owners in Lansing gathered to learn practical ways to use artificial intelligence (AI) to defend against an expanding set of online threats, organisers said. The event, a Black Business Mixer on Marketplace Boulevard, was presented by Grassroots Giving Lansing in partnership with LAFCU and concentrated on cybersecurity strategies tailored for small enterprises.
Practical cyber tools for small enterprises
Organisers framed the session around two priorities: teaching how to use technology to bolster defences, and creating opportunities for direct, in-person networking. The workshop addressed basic but critical protections — including defences against phishing, scams and data breaches — with the aim of keeping small businesses resilient in an increasingly digital marketplace, the source reported.
“A lot of times we are behind a screen. You know, the pandemic had us in boxes for so many months. And so this gives an opportunity to have more of that more intimate setting so that we can get the bottom line. We can ask those rooted questions and have that face-to-face interaction,” said Tamera Carter, vice president of membership growth and development at LAFCU.
The event combined explanation of emerging AI-driven tools with reminders about foundational cyber hygiene. While AI can be used by businesses to automate detection of suspicious activity or to strengthen authentication routines, organisers emphasised the continuing value of human contact and peer learning when assessing risk and implementing change.
Why this matters for households and jobs
Small businesses are central to employment and household income in many communities. Cyber incidents — from phishing that compromises banking credentials to data breaches that expose customer information — can generate direct financial loss and indirect costs such as reputational damage and time spent recovering systems. By focusing on how to apply AI and basic security measures, the mixer sought to reduce both the probability and the potential cost of such incidents for local business owners.
Organisers also pointed to the networking element of the mixer as a practical response to pandemic-era isolation. Face-to-face exchanges, they said, allow business owners to ask detailed questions and compare real-world experiences about security tools and vendors — a form of peer review that can be particularly helpful when budgets are tight and decision-makers must choose between competing solutions.
- Event: Black Business Mixer, Marketplace Boulevard
- Organisers: Grassroots Giving Lansing and LAFCU
- Focus: Using AI for cybersecurity; defences against phishing, scams and data breaches
While the session highlighted AI's potential to assist small enterprises, the emphasis on face-to-face dialogue is a reminder that technology adoption often depends on trust, clarity and simple demonstrations of value—especially for owners who manage tight cash flows and cannot afford costly interruptions.
| Partner | Role at event |
|---|---|
| Grassroots Giving Lansing | Event co-host and community organiser |
| LAFCU | Co-host; provided membership and development perspective |
As AI tools become more accessible, small-business owners face choices about investment and implementation. Workshops like the Lansing mixer aim to equip proprietors with practical knowledge to make those choices more confidently, reducing the chance that under-resourced enterprises will be easy targets for cybercriminals.
Organisers said the mixer’s mix of technical guidance and peer conversation addressed both immediate risks and longer-term resilience, reinforcing the message that technology and community action must work together to protect local commerce in the digital age.
