City Connect Detroit: Bio

Alyssa R. Martina created Metro Parent Magazine in 1986 after serving for five years as legal counsel for Wayne County Circuit Court, one of the nation’s largest state judicial circuits. She established a family magazine to fill a void for parents. Several years ago, Alyssa added Windsor Parent Magazine and Ann Arbor Parent Magazine (now the Metro Parent Washtenaw/ Livingston County Edition) to the family of publications, although the former publication was sold to a Canadian publishing company in February 2001. Today, more than 263,000 readers rely on either Metro Parent as their “parenting bible.” To offer support and resources to African American Families, Metro Parent Publishing Group began publishing African American Family Magazine in 1999. This publication explores and celebrates special aspects of African American Families, under the guidance of African American community leaders and educators, a distinguished panel of advisors who have gathered together to form an Advisory Council for the publication.

Metro Parent Publishing Group also produces four ancillary publications, Metro Baby, a biannual pregnancy resource guide, Going Places, a biannual guide to family fun in Southeast Michigan, Party Book, an event planning resource guide, and Dr. Mom, a resource for parents regarding children’s health issues. In addition, the company produces several annual events, including Education Expo; Native American Festival and Mini Pow Wow; Cover Kids and the Distinguished Speakers Series, which has included such renowned guests as President Bill Clinton, Cokie Roberts, Coretta Scott King, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, Maya Angelou, T. Brazelton and Toni Morrison.

Martina received the top marketing award for ‘best family event’ from Parenting Publications of America’s (PPA) annual marketing awards competition for three consecutive years, with the Native American Festival and Mini Pow Wow, 1994; Birthday Bash, 1994; and Education Expo, 1996. She also acts as a consultant on marketing events to several of her sister publications throughout the country.

In addition, Martina currently sits on several boards including ARISE Detroit!, Plowshares Theater, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit Regional Chamber, New Detroit, The Parade Company, Detroit Youth Foundation, the Merrill Palmer Institute of Wayne State University, the American Jewish Committee and the International Parent Coach Association.

In June of 2008, Martina completed her graduate certification as a Parent Coach at Seattle Pacific University’s Parent Coaching Institute. She is currently enrolled in the Executive MBA program at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.

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