Hidden Gems Institute Spotlight: Flint, Michigan

Kasey Calvert saw something missing in the Flint community and decided to build it himself.

Founded in 2021, Hidden Gems Institute offers support in instrumental and performance arts, drawing, and dance for young people in Flint. Kasey’s original vision was to bring instrumental music back to the community through an HBCU-inspired marching band, and the institute grew from there into a full creative arts organization dedicated to developing talent that might otherwise go undiscovered.

The name says it all. Hidden Gems exists to find the kids in Flint who have something extraordinary inside them and give them the structure, instruction, and stage to let it out. In a city that has faced more than its share of challenges, this is the kind of entrepreneurship that builds communities from the inside out.

Kasey’s story was featured in the 100K Ideas storytelling series, which spotlights Flint entrepreneurs who are using creativity and determination to make a difference in their city.

Michigan Small Business Spotlight is proud to feature Kasey Calvert and Hidden Gems Institute as an example of what small business can look like when it is driven by purpose.