Bradley Taylor
CEO and Co-FounderClarecast
Opening Doors for West Michigan’s Next Leaders.
The West Michigan Masterclass helps talented professionals grow into executives, build powerful networks, and create generational wealth for their families.
Ask a Question
What Is the West Michigan Masterclass?
The West Michigan Masterclass is a professional development program for emerging leaders and high-potential professionals in our region. Over a series of sessions, participants learn directly from executives, founders, and subject-matter experts who have built and led organizations.
Each session focuses on one practical skill, taught by someone who uses it every day. Participants leave with tools they can apply at work the next morning, and a network of peers who are growing right alongside them.
The program is led by Bradley Taylor, CEO and Co-Founder of Clarecast, and Brad Mathis, Senior Vice President of Community Development and Inclusion at Rockford Construction. Together they bring deep experience in leadership, business building, and the West Michigan community.
Brad Mathis
Senior Vice President, Community Development and InclusionRockford Construction
Why We Started
The Masterclass was created to build generational wealth in West Michigan.
We do that by helping talented professionals of color move from good jobs to great careers, and eventually into the C-suite.
Career growth takes more than hard work. It takes the right skills, an understanding of how leadership really works, and relationships with people who can open doors. The Masterclass puts all three within reach, and helps keep that talent growing right here at home.
Our Three Pillars
Everything we do supports one goal: building generational wealth in our community. We get there through three pillars.
Grow Your Career
Build the skills, awareness, and capabilities to step into a bigger role today and the C-suite tomorrow.
Meet Community Leaders
Learn from and connect with executives across West Michigan, growing a professional network that lasts.
Build Lasting Bonds
Form real friendships within your cohort, creating a community that helps talent of color stay and thrive in West Michigan.
What Participants Learn
Every session pairs a core leadership skill with an expert who lives it. Recent topics include:
Financial Management
Reading the numbers and making confident decisions with them
Executive Presence
Communicating with clarity and earning trust in the room
Strategic Network Building
Building relationships that open doors over a whole career
AI Foundations
Understanding how AI is changing work and how to put it to use
Problem Solving
Structured ways to break down complex challenges
Personal Brand
Defining and sharing what you stand for
Challenge Rounds
Applying what you’ve learned to real-world scenarios with your peers
KeysOpenDoorsEverywhere
Every Masterclass participant receives a handcrafted K.O.D.E. key, created by the designers at L’Enchanteur. K.O.D.E. stands for Keys Open Doors Everywhere, and it captures exactly what this program is about.
The key is a reminder that the skills, relationships, and confidence built here open doors for the rest of your career. When you see someone wearing one, you’ll know they’re part of the Masterclass.
Meet the People in the Room
Masterclass participants are talented professionals of color from across West Michigan who already have good jobs and are ready for what’s next, chosen for their drive, curiosity, and commitment to making an impact.
If you found us through a participant’s LinkedIn profile, you’re looking at someone who is actively investing in becoming a better leader.
I want to take a second and thank you both for the time and talent you’ve invested in us this year. Your willingness to contribute your expertise on your own dime is greatly appreciated and hasn’t gone unnoticed. Thank you for showing up with such intention, professionalism, and care.
I’ve not only learned from these sessions but I’m building a network of people that I wouldn’t have connected with otherwise.
Also just want to give thanks again and show my gratitude for the whole mentoring journey. It’s truly been great and appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day/life to putting this program together. I’m sure others feel the same! It’s been a blessing.
Have a Question? We’d Love to Hear From You.
Whether you’re interested in joining a future cohort, speaking at a session, supporting the program, or just curious, send us a note and we’ll get back to you.