THE ART DESIGN OF
Tour this midcentury Palmer Woods home designed by late architect Irving Tobocman – and bursting with African art and eccentricity
PLUS
EDUCATION: WE’RE TALKING
ZOOM SCHOOL AND SOCIAL SKILLS, AND COLLEGE PREPARATION TIPS
MARCH 2021
INSIDE 12 18 22
Online at BLACdetroit.com Letter from the editor Contributors
FEATURES 44
LIFE LESSONS Considering the effect of home schooling on our kids’ emotional health and social skills
48
ARTS & CULTURE One Detroit couple walks us through their midcentury Palmer Woods home
DEPARTMENTS 24
DISCOVER Girl- and woman-focused organizations, a line of body scrubs goes mainstream and a subscription service promises to deliver fresh, locally sourced produce right to your door
30
APPRAISED Sculptor Austen Brantley offers a new interpretation of strength
33
POP ART Dr. Carl Hart promotes responsible drug use for grown-ups, Hulu takes on jazz legend Billie Holiday, 90 writers tell Black American history and more
36
IN STYLE Pretty in pink
56
ACCESS Virtual and socially distanced events from Detroit’s arts and education institutions
58
SEEN Home school photos from our readers
SPONSORED
30
16
DRIVING COMMUNITY: FORD MOTOR COMPANY FUND Dr. Kimberly Farrow, President and CEO, Central City Integrated Health
20
ASK THE EXPERT: HEALTH ADVICE FROM ASCENSION MICHIGAN Why does family history matter to your personal health?
40
COLLEGE PREP TIPS FROM DETROIT COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK AND DETROIT PROMISE 5 things to keep in mind
ON THE COVER: Palmer Woods home shot by Beth Singer @bethsingerphoto • bethsingerphotographer.com
BLACdetroit.com
Online in March Visit BLACdetroit.com for web exclusives and to stay up on what’s happening in Black Detroit
Opinion Piece
BLAC’s former editor Aaron Foley is back with another hot take.
HERstory
Key moments in Black women’s history.
Get BLAC Fridays Visit BLACdetroit.com to sign up for our weekly newsletter. Your inbox will thank you.
Ready-to-Wear Our favorite local streetwear brands.
SEEN Galleries Check out all our digital galleries. Did we spot you?
Fb.com/BLACdetroitMagazine
12 BLAC • MARCH 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
@BLACMagazine
@BLACdetroitMag
A year-long series featuring Detroiters who are driving positive change in their communities.
Driving Community Sponsored by Ford Motor Company Fund
Dr. Kimberly Farrow, President and CEO, Central City Integrated Health This physician heads the ‘one-stop shop’ health care center committed to offering high-quality care to Detroit’s most vulnerable groups.
M uch is discussed about exorbitant costs, ease of access and biases with respect to our health care system. For the most exposed among us, though, these are more than just structural flaws – they’re barriers that may stand in the way of lifegiving care. Central City Integrated Health is a federally qualified, nonprofit health care center serving Detroit and Wayne County’s most vulnerable populations, regardless of identity, situation or ability 16 BLAC • MARCH 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
to pay. Central City regularly serves people with severe or persistent mental illness, and those who are impoverished or have limited access to high-quality health care. Also, by offering a menu of services, including dental, behavioral health, primary care and general wellness, the center is an option for patients who may require the care of several different types of providers. President and CEO Dr. Kimberly
Farrow says, “We really try to provide people with a one-stop shop and the same quality of services that you would receive anywhere. Whether you are in Bloomfield or Royal Oak, our services are comparable, high-quality services.” Farrow notes a high prevalence of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, hepatitis, HIV and sexually transmitted infections in the community that CCIH serves. “Really, our focus is to help – from a public or population
health standpoint – decrease the numbers of those disease processes and also help people find the care to not only treat those things but continue on in their wellness journey,” she says. They’ve been on the frontlines during the pandemic. “COVID was one of those things that, I think, really exposed that soft, white underbelly of low-income populations and at-risk populations,” Farrow says. Along with higher rates of infection and complicaSPONSORED CONTENT
tions due to underlying conditions, CCIH also has been dealing with the indirect effects that come from skipping would-be routine care or neglecting to refill medications. “People were so afraid that they just sheltered in place and became very reclusive,” she says. They also witnessed once-social drinkers develop regular alcohol habits and drug dependency surge. “We saw a significant increase in the number of overdoses.” Still, Farrow says, “It was, in many ways, natural to us to jump in, and we kind of geared up, took the bull by its horns and decided that we were going to be part of the solution.” CCIH is currently administering the COVID-19 vaccine, but like elsewhere in the country, they’re facing a quantity and allocation challenge. The center gets about 55,000 visits each year with a base population of 7,500 to 8,000, Farrow says, but with the initial rollout, they received just 100 doses of the vac-
cine, barely enough to inoculate the staff. Farrow is hopeful that the flow will quicken under the new administration. “I know the governor’s office is really committed to addressing the needs of at-risk populations and, especially, the impact of COVID on these populations. So, we have been in communication with the governor’s office and with local health departments to see if there’s a way we can get more vaccines to the communitybased health centers.” Farrow is a native of St. Louis. She completed her undergrad studies at Notre Dame before coming to Detroit and Wayne State University for medical school. Since 2009, she’s worked primarily in public health focusing on health care disparities, at-risk populations and ways to improve the doctor-patient relationship. She came to Central City in 2016 as chief medical officer and vice president of clinical operations before being named interim president and CEO
in October 2019. Farrow moved into that role permanently in January. She’s still a practicing physician and seeing patients. “I can’t say enough about how much it makes me a better person and has made me a better provider and, ultimately, a better leader,” she says. Her boots-on-theground experience has been key to her success, she says, allowing her to gather “firsthand information regarding the needs of the community and of providers.” Housing support and employment services are also included in CCIH’s framework. Partnerships with organizations such as Wayne County Integrated Health Network, HUD, the Salvation Army and others allow them to help residents find and sustain affordable housing. “We acknowledge that housing is also health care,” Farrow says. “If our patients don’t have stable and safe housing, they certainly can’t focus on their health care needs.” And because “one’s overall wellness and sense of wellbeing is tied to being a productive citizen,” the center offers skills training including those related to food handling, janitorial science and computer literacy. Central City Integrated Health operates under the philosophy that compassionate care should be provided with dignity and respect. “Our patients come to us with a myriad of challenges,” Farrow says. The team sees former and current prostitutes, as well as professionals who’ve lost their jobs due to substance abuse, for instance. Those histories matter when blueprinting a plan for care, but not beyond that. She says, “In terms of treating them humanely and with kindness, it matters not.”
“Ford Fund believes that investing in the needs of our youth is an essential step toward empowering our communities for a promising future.” Ford Motor Company is pleased to recognize Dr. Kimberly Farrow for the important services she and her team provide to people in need at Central City Integrated Health systems. Dr. Farrow is committed to giving back to the residents of Detroit, and she is passionate about improving health, safety and housing for vulnerable populations in Detroit. Ford Motor Company Fund also believes in providing resources to people in need to drive human progress. Since the beginning of these uncertain times, our main commitment has been to support those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through Ford’s Finish Strong initiative, we are distributing 120 million masks to at-risk communities, nonprofit organizations, state and local officials, first responders, schools, community group and Ford dealerships to assist in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Millions of these masks have been distributed right here in our hometown. We salute Dr. Kimberly Farrow for leading by example, and we admire her passion for the city of Detroit and the desire to affect real change in the health and wellbeing of the community.
– Pamela Alexander, director of community development for Ford Motor Company
C O M PA S S I O N AT E C A R E
For more information on Central City Integrated Health, visit centralcityhealth.com.
SPONSORED CONTENT
BLACdetroit.com • MARCH 2021 • BLAC 17
EDITOR'S LETTER
CEO/Publisher: Billy Strawter Jr. EDITORIAL Senior Editor: Paris Giles Copy Editor: Tamara O'Shaughnessy Contributors: Sydney Kispert-Bostick, Kaye Byrd, Ann Duke, Nick Pizana, Justine Allenette Ross, Beth Singer, Arianna Smith DESIGN Creative Director: Kelly Buren Senior Graphic Designer: Lindsey Lawson Photographer: Lauren Jeziorski
CREATIVE AND PRODUCTION SUPPORT MILO DETROIT, INC. Chief Creative Officer: Mark Simon Creative Director: Doug Blanchard Director of Content: Jeremy Smith Production/Advertising Operations: Christine Lasalle SALES Director of Sales: Samantha Alessandri PARTNERSHIPS Partnership/Events Coordinator: Ebony Jones CIRCULATION Distribution Coordinator: Meaghan Smith ADMINISTRATION Director of Business Operations: Victoria Webb Accounting Associate: Judy Stewart PRINTER LSC Communications
CONTACT US
6200 SECOND AVE., DETROIT, MI 48202 313-312-1611 PUBLISHER: publisher@BLACdetroit.com SALES: advertise@BLACdetroit.com DESIGN: design@BLACdetroit.com EDITORIAL: editor@BLACdetroit.com CALENDAR: calendar@BLACdetroit.com DISTRIBUTION: distribution@BLACdetroit.com BLAC Detroit magazine is published 12 times a year.
Where the Heart Is A
long with handwashing and masking up, some other sound advice came out of the early days of lockdown. They told us to make our homes as comfortable and peaceful as we possibly could, because we’d be spending a lot of time indoors over the next … few weeks. It’s been a year, and we’re still at home. While we may not have found the ardor to eliminate all from our lives which does not spark joy, we have discovered a greater appreciation for our homes, for what we can accomplish there and for the people who inhabit them. For our cover story, we ventured to Palmer Woods and to a midcentury home built in 1959, the first residential project by the late architect Irving Tobocman who designed 400 structures across the world before he died in 2017 (Page 48). Our homeowners, Kizzmett and Harold Collins, purchased the property in 1999, attracted to its unique façade and Tobocman’s layout, conducive to indoor-outdoor living. Over the years, the pair filled the space with works of art collected during their travels and pieces of sentimental significance, and, in 2018, they called on interior designer Jeanine Haith to bring it all together. Our kids have also had to learn what it means to make the most of your home environment. Most schools have been Photo by Lauren Jeziorski closed for in-person learning since last spring, with administrators scheduling virtual classes and parents makeshifting kitchen table workstations. We wonder: What effect is this isolation having on students’ social and emotional wellbeing (Page 44)? The grown-ups remember the skills tests. We learned a lot in school, only some of it by way of textbooks and blackboards. Are crucial lessons being missed? One Detroit family tells us how they’re coping. And Detroit Promise and Detroit College Access Network offer college preparation tips for students and parents, from applying for scholarships to choosing the right school (Page 40). March is Women’s History Month and as we peer back let us also consider how we can get involved and make a difference in the present. We’ve scouted a handful of local organizations that center women and girls, and could use your time and attention. Also, in a bit of cheeky fun, we’ve got an all-pink beauty and fashion roundup, from powdery pastels to bold magentas (Page 36). And we check in with sculptor Austen Brantley and learn how he’s shifted his attention to public spaces while working to disrupt our idea of beauty, strength and masculinity (Page 30). Among additional offerings in this issue, you’ll find the latest in new books, TV and film (Page 33). Notably, The United States vs. Billie Holiday comes to Hulu. In this Lee Daniels adaptation starring Andra Day, we watch Holiday as she stands up against censorship and fights for a lady’s right to sing the blues.
©2021 by BLAC INC. All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or part without the express written
Enjoy the issue.
consent of BLAC magazine is prohibited.
Paris Giles Senior Editor 18 BLAC • MARCH 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
HEALTH ADVICE FROM ASCENSION MICHIGAN
Why does family history matter for your personal health? Nicola Griffin, D.O.
D
o you wish there was a quick way for you to help your doctor improve your family’s health? Collecting information about your family’s health history is an important step. “Family history is used to assess risk of future health disparities of the patient,” says Nicola Griffin, D.O., a board-certified family medicine physician with Ascension Medical Group. “Typically, the most important histories are those of family members including mother, father, siblings and children.” The National Institute of Health (NIH) says a family medical history is a record of health information about a person and his or her close relatives. A complete record includes information from three generations of relatives, including children, brothers and sisters, parents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews,
grandparents, and cousins. “The age of onset of disease is also important to note when preparing answers to family history questions as this affects when or if we begin screening for certain disorders,” Dr. Griffin adds. Your family’s medical history matters for your personal health. A family medical history can identify people with a higher-than-usual chance of having common disorders, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, certain cancers and diabetes. “When certain medical conditions are present within a family, screening and monitoring can be done sooner or more frequently to prevent disease or to diagnose at an earlier stage of illness,” Dr. Griffin explains. “Many disease processes have genetic components that make family members more likely than the general public to have an occurrence.”
For example, Dr. Griffin points out that colon cancer screening begins earlier for people with a close relative who had a disease diagnoses at ages prior to 50. “Obesity, diabetes and hypertension have strong family ties due to both genetics and common environmental factors,” she adds. “Family history can also be very important to family planning with couples who are considering reproductive outcomes with disease processes.” The U.S. Surgeon General has created a computerized tool called “My Family Health Portrait” to help build a family medical history. Information you want to collect includes sex, date of birth, ethnicity, medical conditions, mental health conditions, including alcoholism or other substance abuse, pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects or infertility. For deceased relatives, the age at the time of death and cause of death
is important to note. Let your family know why this information is important. “Be transparent with family members about why you are collecting histories and the implications for their personal health and the health of children or grandchildren,” Dr. Griffin says. “Medical histories are protected under HIPAA, as is other information collected at office visits, and will not be shared or used in other capacities.” Preparing your family’s medical history can help you and your doctor take action to improve your family’s health. “Even health conditions that are prevalent within families can be altered and even eliminated with changes in diet, proper exercise, improvements in technologies, changes in medications, and innovations in screening and detection,” Dr. Griffin says.
GET MORE HEALTH INFORMATION AND FIND A DOCTOR NEAR YOU BY VISITING ASCENSION.ORG/MICHIGAN OR CALLING 866-501-DOCS (3627) SPONSORED CONTENT
CONTRIBUTORS
Meet Our Contributors
Each issue would be impossible without the help of our freelance writers and creative contributors.
Kaye Byrd, writer Kaye is a heart-centered writer focused on social justice and wellness issues. An advocate for mental health, she is passionate about facilitating meaningful conversations for women that normalize therapy and cultivate a healthy mindset as the basis for self-care. She shares the passion for her soul-nourishing, empathydriven and life-giving work on her social media platforms. Born and raised in Detroit, she is a world traveler and avid reader, and welcomes opportunities to share her wisdom to uplift others. Find Kaye’s work on Pages 26 and 28. @heykayebyrd girlgrow.com
Ann Duke, features editor Ann is a veteran of the magazine business with over 20 years’ experience on both the business and creative sides. As one of the founding staffers at Hour Media, she was instrumental in the launch of numerous publications including Hour Detroit and Detroit Home. She launched the Detroit Home Design Awards program during her time at Hour. She also owned the very successful Twentieth Century Decorative Arts Gallery for over a decade and lectured on the decorative arts movement extensively in metro Detroit and across the country. By day, Ann is the director of philanthropy at Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County. Find Ann’s work on Page 48. ann@BLACdetroit.com
Nick Pizana, writer Nick Pizana is a professional artist and writer from Detroit. He studied journalism at Wayne State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in painting at Cranbrook Art Academy. As a painter, Nick works primarily in making colorful murals that draw from his background in street art and comic books. His work can be seen all around Detroit, from Hart Plaza to Eastern Market. In addition to his painting practice, Nick co-owns KO Studio Gallery in Hamtramck. Find Nick’s work on Page 30. @shorin_nick nickpizana.com
WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR TALENTED CONTRIBUTORS!
Justine Allenette Ross, artist Justine is a commercial artist and illustrator based in the metro Detroit area. She graduated from Wayne State University with a concentration on graphic design. Her work has been featured in Detroit Metro Times, Hour Detroit Magazine and DBusiness, and she counts AIGA Detroit, the Pontiac Creative Arts Center and the University of Michigan among her clients. She has also shown at KO Studio Gallery in Hamtramck, and during her free time, find her gardening or listening to music. Find Justine’s work on Page 44. @stinallenette justineallenetteross.com
If you're an experienced writer, photographer or illustrator interested in working with BLAC, email your resume and samples of your work to editor@BLACdetroit.com. 22 BLAC • MARCH 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
Beth Singer, photographer Beth is an architectural photographer based in Franklin. With more than three decades of experience, she and her team cater to the design and build industry, and have built a reputation for high-quality interior and exterior photography and a mastery of depth and detail. Her client base across the Midwest includes interior designers, architects and builders, as well as local and national magazines and advertising agencies. When not behind a camera, Beth can be seen hiking or walking her big dog, playing as much golf as possible, working out and eating good food – all very important to her craft. Find Beth’s work on the cover and Page 48. @bethsingerphoto bethsingerphotographer.com
Arianna Smith, writer Arianna is a 22-year-old native Detroiter with a varied background and a love for cultural news. A graduate of Wayne State University’s journalism program and BLAC’s former intern, you can find her scoping out the latest restaurant, boutique, art project or gaming lounge in Detroit – when she isn’t glued to the screen watching a Marvel movie. A Black-owned business is the best kind of business, in her eyes, and Detroit stories are the best kind to tell. Find Arianna’s work on Pages 24 and 44. ariannasmithport.weebly. com
BLACdetroit.com • MARCH 2021 • BLAC 23
DISCOVER By Arianna Smith
H T I HER W
24 BLAC • MARCH 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
I
nternational Women’s Day is March 8, celebrated first in 1908 with a gathering of suffragists, feminists, socialists and working American women. More than 100 years later, we can commemorate their spirit of determination by offering support, donations or time to causes and organizations that uplift women from all walks.
Motor City S.T.E.A.M Foundation
We’ll never stop needing Black girl magic in STEM and art, so thank goodness for this organization. Founded and run by native Detroiters, a donation or purchase to Motor City S.T.E.A.M. directly supports its affiliated camps, services and partners like STEMinista Project, bringing STEM education to underserved minority students – particularly girls – in urban communities. motorcitysteam.com
Trans Sistas of Color Project
Women come in every shape and form. Identity determines gender, and no one is free until we’re all free. Supporting the Trans Sistas of Color Project impacts the lives of trans and LGBTQ women of color in metro Detroit by allowing much needed support to reach the hands of those who need it most, not only in the community, but also to people like sex workers and homeless youth. fb.com/TSCOPD
Alternatives for Girls
Pregnancy Aid Inc.
Rhonda Walker Foundation
Detroit Indian Women’s Association
“When a young woman becomes homeless, every moment she spends on the street increases her risk for exploitation and trafficking,” its website says. Alternatives for Girls helps high-risk girls and young women in Detroit avoid violence, teen pregnancy and exploitation, and provides those affected with the resources and support they need to recover and succeed. alternativesforgirls.org
Since 2003, the Rhonda Walker Foundation has been empowering teen girls in metro Detroit through the Girls into Women program, which offers career, college and standardized testing prep, camps, cultural experiences, and health and wellness resources. It had a 70% increase in engagement in 2020, so any extra support is greatly appreciated. rhondawalkerfoundation.org
T.E.A (Rebel Nell)
According to its website, founder Amy Peterson witnessed the daily struggles of the women living with her in a Detroit homeless shelter and started Rebel Nell and its nonprofit T.E.A. with the goal to end generational poverty. It aims to remove the barriers for women and families facing continued employment hardship. donate-to-tea.funraise.org
Pregnancy Aid Inc. is an east side-based nonprofit that assists women and teens facing unplanned or problematic pregnancies. It has been in operation since 1974, providing low-income mothers with free education and materials like pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, maternity and baby clothes, and classes and support groups. pregnancyaid.com
Women don’t just come in different shapes, we come in different colors and cultures, too! Latino, Black, Arabic and Jewish women are the backbone of our city. The Detroit Indian Women’s Association is just one of many organizations that serves an often-underserved sector of Detroit’s cultural identity. diwapro.org
E.L.I.T.E. Women
Angel M. Brown was raised by a single mother in Detroit and founded E.L.I.T.E. Women in 2013 to show other girls and women how to lead “independent, triumphant, generous lives” through service, engagement and leadership initiatives. They’ve hosted and sponsored every kind of event under the sun that could benefit the community and young women’s futures, and they are always looking for assistance. weareelitewomen.com
DISCOVER By Kaye Byrd
I
PICKED, PACKED, DELIVERED
f you are looking for fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables that can be delivered to your door, Good Pluck has you covered. The subscription service drops off a basket filled with produce from a farmer located within two hours of your doorstep. This means that your food is not traveling cross-country and is more likely to have been grown for flavor, not yield. That’s according to Chening Duker, Good Pluck’s founder and a self-described lover of food and sustainability.
26 BLAC • MARCH 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
He immigrated to the United States from London to pursue an education. With family from Ghana and Cameroon, he says they’ve always had a connection to food and, because of that, he was interested in the way food is produced and sold in the U.S. It is true that there are advantages to buying locally grown food. For starters, pouring money into the local economy is always a good way to support thriving communities and the small farmer who needs our dollars to survive. Then there is the satisfaction of knowing exactly where your food comes from and how it was grown. These reasons are why Duker piloted Good Pluck last summer. “I wanted to build something that’s going to help make it easy for people to get really high-quality, sustainable food without having to spend a fortune,” Duker says. “What makes us different is that we support very, very small farms, and we make sure that
the farms we work with are growing things in a sustainable way.” The number of farmers that Duker buys from depends on the season. One of those farms is based in Detroit’s Virginia Park neighborhood, CWO Farms – a farmer he holds in high regard. About farms like CWO he says, “The farmers are motivated to make the best, healthiest, no additives produce – that is what they are feeding their families.” With a successful pilot behind him, Duker launched the full platform in December 2020. The subscription is 100% customizable and the contents are promised to be in-season, grown without pesticides or genetic modifications. You can also choose from baked goods, eggs and dairy items. The starter basket is $35 and filled with 10 to 12 different types of produce. Shipping is free, and you can decide to receive a basket every week or every other week. The packaging is kept simple because sustainability is a Good Pluck core value.
@goodpluckgrows goodpluck.com
DISCOVER By Kaye Byrd
SMOOTH OPERATOR
I
nside the sleek, black container of G.L.A.M. Body Scrubs are all-natural, organic, skin-friendly ingredients that will help exfoliate your skin to silky smooth. The founder, Tiffany Cartwright – also a Detroit attorney – started mixing products in her kitchen to develop a remedy to alleviate her daughter’s eczema. To her relief, she created a chemical- and steroid-free formula that was able to soothe her daughter’s skin condition. That was in 2015. She had no idea then that she would have a beauty brand on the shelves of a major retailer within a few years. But things got hard before they became rewarding. In 2018, she found herself at a crossroads when she lost her job to budget cuts. She went from being a judge presiding over unemployment hearings to collecting an unemployment check. Inspired by an empowering message about entrepreneurship, she decided to graduate from creating products in her kitchen for friends and family to producing for consumers. It was this determination that birthed G.L.A.M. Body Scrubs. Feeling like she had everything to gain, she pitched Walmart’s Made in America campaign and secured a deal that landed her products on the shelves of select Walmart locations in all 50 states and online. The skin care line has seven deliciously scented scrubs infused with essential oils to address a variety of skin woes. Cartwright says each serves a different purpose. She recommends the Coffee Craze to reduce the appearance of cellulite. “I consider coffee to be one nature’s best kept secrets,” she
says. “The same way that coffee wakes us up in the morning is the same way coffee wakes up our skin cells.” She recommends Bubblin’ Brown Sugar – the best seller – for a less coarse exfoliate. Lavender Lush can be used for calm and relaxation. “What’s fascinating about the line is that each of the products are very different,” she says. After only a few months in Walmart, G.L.A.M. Body Scrubs are receiving rave reviews. One shopper wrote, “Excellent product, feels so good and the smell is wonderful, it’s like a spa treatment in your home.” Another wrote, “Smells SOOOO good!! Leaves my skin so soft!!” G.L.A.M. Body Scrubs are a product line of Amarra Products. Cartwright plans to expand to include body butter and soap.
28 BLAC • MARCH 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
@amarrabeautyproducts amarrabeautyproducts.com
APPRAISED By Nick Pizana
STRENGTH IN BEAUTY
A
usten Brantley is a Detroit-based sculptor who uses clay to form expressive and lifelike Black figures. Brantley was first introduced to the medium through a high school art class. “I was looking for an easy A and found out I was good at sculpture,” he jokes. Brantley counts classic Renaissance artists like Michelangelo as his influences at the time. This comes through in his works which exhibit a lot of the iconic artist’s elements, from the intensity in the figures’ faces, to the sense of weight and movement in their bodies. “I want people to feel an emotion in the piece. I want them to become the object, in a way.” After high school, Brantley began exhibiting his work locally, starting in small galleries on Livernois and building his audiences. Later, he studied sculpture in Italy and Mexico. Lately, he has been working less with galleries and has focused more on creating public works such as memorials and monuments in public parks. His most recent work was a tribute to Negro League Baseball player and World War II vet Ernest Burke, done for a park in Maryland. “Doing the sculpture, I got to learn so much about his life. As an artist you have to know history,” Brantley says. “It was powerful for me to think about the struggles he had to endure, fighting in a war for country that wouldn’t let him play baseball with them. For my name to be synonymous with his now, through the sculpture, is a huge honor.” Currently, Brantley is working on a new piece for a park here in Detroit, which depicts a young man holding a flower. “It’s about manhood in Detroit – a version of that that’s more gentle.” Brantley says this piece will represent manhood in way that’s more about finding beauty than showing power. “I was thinking, since it’s across the street from a school, (the children) should see it as a reflection of themselves, and I want them to see something beautiful. I think it will show another perspective of what we can be.” @austenbrantleysculpture austenbrantleysculpture.com 30 BLAC • MARCH 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
BLACdetroit.com • MARCH 2021 • BLAC 31
POP ART By Paris Giles
BOOKS Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 16192019 edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain
Kendi and Blain assemble 90 writers to cover 400 years of African American history with a mix of essays, short stories, polemics and personal tales (Random House). From the White Lion docking on the shores of Virginia and the first enslaved Africans disembarking in 1619, the authors – each taking on a five-year period – usher us through to present-day. This multiperspective work illuminates our rich and varied history while asking us to consider a new way of thinking about the future.
How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones
In this colorful portrayal of interconnected lives across race and class, Jones asks us to follow her to Baxter’s Beach, Barbados, a quickly changing resort town (Little, Brown and Company). Lala’s grandmother tells the story of the one-armed sister, a cautionary tale for girls who disobey their mothers and enter the Baxter’s Tunnels. Now grown, Lala lives on the beach with her charismatic husband, Adan, a petty criminal whose thwarted burglary of a seaside mansion sets off a chain of events that leads to terrible consequences and into the tunnels.
Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear by Dr. Carl L. Hart
Columbia University professor Dr. Hart presents a controversial argument: When used responsibly, drugs can enrich and enhance our lives (Penguin Press). An admitted drug user, he calls on decades of research and his personal experience to maintain that the problem isn’t drugs themselves, but rather the criminalization of drug use. Hart aims to push a dialogue that will make us question our own attitudes and maybe start to undo the bonds of structural racism.
The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto by Charles Blow
Journalist and New York Times best-selling author Blow delivers this powerful call to action to Black America, imploring us to demand equality on our own terms (Harper). Spurred by the pandemic and last summer’s protests, and tapped into his own experience as a son of the South, he delivers this manifesto meant to be a corrective to our long-held myths around race and geography in America. BLACdetroit.com • MARCH 2021 • BLAC 33
POP ART
MOVIES & TV Coming 2 America Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall are back with the highly anticipated sequel to the 1988 cultural classic, co-written by Kenya Barris and directed by Craig Brewer (Amazon Prime). Set off in the lush and royal country of Zamunda, King Akeem and Semmi are off on an all-new adventure that takes them across the globe. James Earl Jones, Shari Headley and John Amos will be reprising their roles alongside new additions like Wesley Snipes, Tracy Morgan, Leslie Jones and KiKi Layne. Release date: March 5
The United States vs. Billie Holiday Directed by Lee Daniels and starring Andra Day, this drama follows the crusade the since-dissolved Federal Bureau of Narcotics led against jazz singer Billie Holiday (Hulu). Weaponizing her drug use in an effort to thwart her singing of the poignant and haunting “Strange Fruit,” we watch as she and her band stand on what’s right, refusing to be silenced.
Last Chance U: Basketball This Emmy-winning docuseries that usually follows an underdog college football team switches gears to basketball in this new adaptation (Netflix). We’re in East Los Angeles this time around following a coach with strong convictions as he leads a team of young men with major college potential. Release date: March 10
Waffles + Mochi Starring Michelle Obama, this family show aims to get kids and grown-ups together in the kitchen, cooking healthy meals (Netflix). Obama and puppet pals Waffles and Mochi travel the world together meeting famous chefs, learning how to prepare new foods and getting familiar with different cultures. Keep an eye out for other famous guest stars, including Common, Rashida Jones and Zach Galifianakis. Release date: March 16
34 BLAC • MARCH 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
D LIFE
IN STYLE Curated by Paris Giles
Pretty in Pink
Revving up the girl power in sugary pastels and spicy fuchsias.
Fenty
Victor Glemaud
Trouble Sunglasses $250 • fenty.com
Ribbed Crewneck $350 • glemaud.com
The Lip Bar Playmate Liquid Matte $13 • thelipbar.com
Undra Celeste Rib Trumpet Knit Skirt $125 • undracelesteny.com
Autumn Adeigbo Sasha Dress $650 • autumnadeigbo.com
36 BLAC • MARCH 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
Hanifa Kris Jumpsuit $159 • hanifa.co
Christopher John Rogers Stretch-Crepe Gown Call for pricing • christopherjohnrogers.com
Khiry
ORB Ring $380 • khiry.com
Brother Vellies Lijadu Billfold $1,295 • brothervellies.com
Andrea Iyamah Kaly Midi Dress $306 • andreaiyamah.com
Off White
1.4 Jitney Bag $1,215 • off---white.com
Brother Vellies by Pyer Moss Berry Sandal $625 • brothervellies.com
BLACdetroit.com • MARCH 2021 • BLAC 37
E! M Y BU
BLACK LIFE ARTS & CULTURE
20
The Power of 20
We’ve got swag! Rock a BLAC T-shirt or hoodie and remind everyone everywhere that you honor Black Life, Arts and Culture. Available in men’s and women’s cuts and sizes. For over two decades, BLAC has empowered and amplified the voice of the community, taking care to spotlight those oft-forgotten corners.
S H O P. B L A C D E T R O I T. C O M
5 A
Things to Remember When Preparing for College College preparation tips for parents and students from Detroit College Access Network and Detroit Promise
pplying to colleges can be a lengthy and tedious process, but it’s all about getting your pencils in a row. Here, Detroit College Access Network Executive Director Ashley Johnson helps guide us through the process.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
1
Check your eligibility for free tuition. Students who live and go to high school in Detroit may be eligible for free money for college through the Detroit Promise. This place-based scholarship awards money for tuition and fees for community colleges and four-year institutions. Visit detroitpromise.com/do-Iqualify for more information. When applying for scholarships and grants, in general, Johnson says to start early and “over apply.” She says, “You should apply for as many as you possibly can.” And she reminds that those infamous essays can often be reused for different scholarships. Johnson recommends creating a scholarship database of sorts where you can keep track of deadlines, requirements and other useful information. Also, be mindful about not confusing fellowships, scholarships and other legitimately free offerings with loans that you’ll have to pay back.
BLACdetroit.com • MARCH 2021 • BLAC 41
2
Completing the application is just the first step.
The college enrollment process is a multi-step endeavor and filling out the application is just the first part. Johnson says students and parents want to start the application process the summer before senior year, ideally, but be aware of everything else you’ll need to do before it’s time to enroll. The big to-dos? Complete the FAFSA and apply for scholarships. Visit detroitcan.org to download a copy of the College Prep Checklist. “You want to be able to go into your first day of senior year prepared to sit down with your counselor one-on-one and be able to say, ‘Hey, these are the colleges I’m interested in,’” Johnson says. Even if you weren’t one of the earliest birds, she says it’s not too late to apply for this upcoming fall semester. “Most colleges – especially our local ones like Wayne State and Oakland University – have rolling admissions all the way up until around Aug. 1 of the year for which you’re looking to enroll.”
If you’re going to put four years of your life into this and give thousands of dollars to this institution, you want to make sure you’re going to get a really strong return on your investment.
42 BLAC • MARCH 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
3
Make the most out of your high school career. Reaching out to colleges happens later in the game, but the work starts as early as ninth grade. “Applying for colleges does not start senior year,” Johnson says. Be mindful of maintaining a high GPA and if your school is offering advanced placement, honors classes or dual enrollment, she says take advantage. “That’s going to look good on your transcript.” By the 10th or 11th grade, students should start looking into and studying for the SAT or ACT. DCAN will host virtual SAT prep classes every Tuesday and Thursday in March. Visit detroitcan.org/ satstudents for more information. Also, get involved in student-led organizations, extracurriculars that interest you and any leadership opportunities.
SPONSORED CONTENT
4
It’s not just about being accepted to college. You want to graduate. Students of color, especially, will want to keep the institution’s culture in mind when deciding where to enroll. An environment where students feel welcomed, safe and included matters to how well you’ll do and to how likely you are to graduate. Look up those students of color graduation rates. “If you’re going to put four years of your life into this and give thousands of dollars to this institution, you want to make sure you’re going to get a really strong return on your investment,” Johnson says. Whether to opt for an HBCU or a predominantly white institution will be a personal decision based on what you’re hoping to get out of your college experience. Families should sit down for honest conversations. Visit detroitcollegematch.com for an easy-to-use tool that’ll help parents and students take a data-informed approach to selecting the right school.
SPONSORED CONTENT
Detroit Promise is a last-dollar scholarship that ensures all eligible Detroit residents have a tuition-free path to an associate degree, bachelor’s degree or technical certificate at participating academic institutions. Detroit Promise is a program administered by the Detroit Regional Chamber, which has been building one of the largest portfolios of education and talent programs in Michigan. They recognize that a more prosperous and competitive Detroit starts with making sure that we improve educational outcomes at every level. detroitpromise.com
5
Detroit College Access Network is a collaborative network between local schools, organizations and the community. DCAN supports high schools and community-based organizations as they develop the most productive programming by providing resources, training and through capacity building, in an effort to foster rich college-going cultures. Detroit College Access Network’s mission is to increase postsecondary readiness, enrollment and attainment so all students in Detroit can achieve their educational dreams. detroitcan.org
Keep calm and have fun. You’re not alone. DCAN has trained coaches available to offer group and one-on-one advising sessions for free to families. “This process can be really hard and confusing. Even if you have parents who went to college, chances are, they went about 15 to 30 years ago, so things have changed,” Johnson says. From logistics questions to financial aid, “We just want families to know that we’re here to support them.” And don’t forget to breathe and soak it all in! “This should be a fun experience. The whole family should be involved.” She says whether you get into your dream college or end up somewhere else, it’s all about taking pride in your accomplishments and making the most of the process.
BLACdetroit.com • MARCH 2021 • BLAC 43
SOCIAL STUDIES BY ARIANNA SMITH • ILLUSTRATION BY JUSTINE ALLENETTE ROSS
We’ve become a nation of home-schooled kids. Much has been discussed about whether this setup allows our children to grasp all that they need academically, but what about their social and emotional learning? School is equal parts cracking books and cracking jokes. GChats have replaced class-change locker gossip. We know what isolation does to our mental health, and for young people, for which friends are sometimes more important than family, do we dare imagine the long-term effects? One Detroit family opens up about how they’re trying to stay afloat in a sea of strange. 44 BLAC • MARCH 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
W
When I’d get in trouble in school for talking, my mother would say, “You don’t go to school to socialize; you go to learn!” I understand why she said that then. I shouldn’t have been discussing Pokémon during math. But, like with most things, the COVID-19 pandemic has upended that dynamic and shown us what happens when balanced interaction and socialization in schools gets taken away. Kids of all ages and grades went from rubbing shoulders with friends and trading lunches down the hallways to staring at faces through a screen every day – all day. Academics and eye strain aside, there’s worrying evidence mounting that enduring this sudden, topsy-turvy new reality of isolation is affecting students’ abilities to engage with their peers and manage social wellbeing.
A Hard 180
On March 13, 2020, the Detroit Public Schools Community District closed all in-person learning for the first time. Schools provided supplemental and technological support to staff and students after the initial three-week closure was extended to multiple months, building a new
system of instruction with speed and innovation, driven mostly by desperation and the need to keep kids learning despite the new public health risk. Prior to digital learning, social media was full of memes and jokes about how much kids hated having to attend physical school and interact with the assorted foolishness of their classmates. Slow walkers, annoying outbursts, fights, conflicts with teachers. All of this and more can make the American schooling experience irritating. Now, some kids who claimed to despise all aspects of school, might opt to return if given the chance to escape their tech-locked, secluded reality. At least in the Upside Down, Will Byers’ friends could see him in person. “I thought it would only be for a little while. My friends and I, we all thought this would be over soon – and then it just kept going,” says Nigel Baker, a 10th grader at University Prep Science & Math High School in Detroit. Parents like Nigel's mother, Cre Baker, were forced to make hard and fast decisions about their households and their kids’ academic careers, with little warning and even less information. “It was a drastic change. It was
SOCIAL STUDIES Keep Your Kids Socially Sane (and Safe) Quick and easy tips to combat isolation and boredom GET CREATIVE AND ACTIVE AROUND THE HOUSE Movie nights in the garage with a projector and some popcorn can turn just another night into an uplifting tradition. Ride bikes, start household projects and take on learning new skills together. Weekly Mario Kart tournament, anyone? SET UP DIGITAL PLAY DATES AND VIRTUAL VISITS If you have younger kids, some form of interaction with family and friends is better than nothing. Integrate Zoom visits with relatives with fun interactive activities. For example, turn the living room into an art gallery and invite grandma to a virtual tour. INTRODUCE ONLINE THERAPY AND SAFE SPACES Students can benefit from therapy and mental relaxation just as much, if not more, than adults. Introduce them to therapy apps like Headspace or Talkspace, or even just sit and have an honest conversation with them. LOOK FOR SAFE WAYS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY Pandemic-mindful activities like community service and election canvassing are slowly opening back up. If you’re comfortable, encourage your kids to mask up, get out there and see what they can do to safely uplift their neighborhoods in this crisis.
42 BLAC • MARCH 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
mentally challenging as a parent. At the top of the pandemic, we had no answers or real scale for how hard this was going to be. There was a new update or decision made every day,” she says, adding that she noticed an almost “immediate change” in her kids’ attitudes and behavior, separate from how they performed in the virtual classroom. “I stay on my kids about grades, so that hasn’t been allowed to be an issue, but I absolutely noticed how their behavior changed. For a lot of kids, this happened right at the peak of being a teen, and everything was stopped. Going to school, catching the bus, driving, going to the show – all of that was snatched. They’re still adjusting to this day.” Cre says her boys seemed more lethargic and pessimistic about school and the day-to-day. “They didn’t talk to each other, and it was hard to get them out of their rooms. I found myself looking for ways to cheer them up, but we can’t do anything. So, I was buying things to make up for it, which felt pointless because they couldn’t go anywhere or show anyone,” she says. I once overheard a conference call between my mother, other parents and the administration at Cass Tech, my sister’s high school. One parent expressed irritation at the district for failing to consider socialization in their COVID plans. Cre says she doesn’t think that’s how the majority of parents feel – but it is a general and increasingly pressing concern. “It’s not the district’s fault, and most of us know that. It’s just not safe for the kids to be around each other, period. It’s still an awful feeling when you know your kid is sad and needs to feel connected, but who would want to send their kid inside when numbers are that bad just for them to have a good time?”
The Kids Aren’t All Right
There’s a reason that basic fundamentals of society like sharing, conflict management and communication are taught in the earliest grades. Those annoyances you have to deal with in school were crucial to building cornerstone interpersonal skills you need to function in everyday life. According to the Economic Policy Institute – a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that works to include the needs of lowand middle-class workers in policy decisions – “For children, going to school is not just about learning reading and math: it’s also about developing the social and emotional skills critical to succeeding in life. School closures eliminated some of these critically important aspects of school such as the development that occurs through personal relationships among students and between students and teachers, after-school activities that support children’s mental and emotional well-being and skills development, and a sense of routine.” Nigel says that the situation with online schooling is “complicated” since he usually prefers learning on his own time and terms, anyway. “I like certain parts more than regular school. I have more independence and more time to connect with teachers from home. If you need help it’s slightly easier to get in contact with them, but I wouldn’t want it to stay like this forever. I’ve been falling asleep in bed and stuff. I know a lot of kids struggle learning at home, and some teachers are busier. We also feel like we’ve been given a lot more work this year,” he says. Academically, Nigel feels set. Emotionally and mentally is a very different story. He’s had friends affected by something he can’t see, and he says he doesn’t fully recognize the world he’s living in right now. “I know friends that had
the virus. I know a teacher that had the virus, but, thankfully, she recovered. In the first few months I was really scared, and I didn’t want to go outside for anything. I went outside after a long time, and it felt like a video game. There were no cars or people walking. Everyone had to stay away from people in ways we didn’t think about. It was weird.” He and his mother agree that the worst part of the pandemic for them was the removal of nearly all ability to practice their interests and share them with others. “I play sports,”
Nikolas Baker, is a 17-year-old senior at Cass Tech whose main interest is game design, and so he spends most of his free time after school on the computer. For him, the part he misses most is hanging out with friends and being able to develop relationships with his teachers. “I’m so bored, and it feels wrong to log off school, get out of class and do nothing and talk to nobody,” Nikolas says. “I miss seeing my homies, acting a fool and having physical contact. Typing is annoying; I hate it. It makes me miss hold-
already? Dang. I try to talk to my friends, but life outside of school is crazier for a lot of us so we aren’t online in our free time,” he says. And even though game design is a digital format, the social interaction around it is now also gone. “I was the president of the gaming design club before the pandemic. It feels like it died. I can tell my friends are bored and depressed when we do talk, and there’s no heart or interest in it anymore,” Nikolas says.
For children, going to school is not just about learning reading and math: it’s also about developing the social and emotional skills critical to succeeding in life. Nigel says. “Soccer is my sport, but I obviously can’t do that right now. I can’t find a team; I haven’t played in two years. Recreation centers aren’t open. The most we can do is ride our bikes, but we had to buy it first, and now it’s cold so we can’t do that either. I had some anxiety attacks over it. I miss it so much. It’s really hard for me to be away from my team.” On the flip side, his older brother,
ing pencils. You’re engaged when it’s not digital. I miss having to hold things. I miss the Cass Tech stairs – that’s how bad it is!” Like a lot of kids, Nikolas says he feels like he’s lost a lot of time to increased workload and the weird schedules kids have had to adopt for homework and independent study. “I hoped it wouldn’t last this long. I was looking around at my homies like, huh? We’re in summer
Future of the Youth
For kids, parents and educators alike, the end to these stressful times may finally be in sight. Chrystal Wilson, assistant superintendent of communications and marketing for DPSCD, says there’s a potential reopening plan in the works that would prioritize the safety and wellbeing of students and staff. “In
the next few weeks to a month, we hope to roll out the reopening of our Learning Centers that provide an alternative to in-home learning for Detroit students,” she says when we speak in mid-February. “We tried this out in November and had an incident, but the district has been monitoring the infection and risk rate in the city, and we feel confident in a slow, cautious reopening,” Wilson says. According to DPSCD, Learning Centers will be open for those who need it or feel they learn and work best in person. Students can eat breakfast and lunch while engaging with teachers and staff for support with their online learning during regular class hours, just like a “normal” day at school. “We feel confident in doing this because the infection rate for Detroit has held consistently at 5% or below. Employees will be required to (be tested) for COVID before returning and multiple safeguards are being put into place so that our staff and students are treated fairly and safely,” Wilson says. “The district understands, more than anything, the need to be careful. None of this is mandatory at any level. It’s just an option we’re glad to be in a position to offer families.” In the meantime, kids like Nikolas and Nigel have found ways to stave off the boredom and develop new interests in the best way they know how – through screens and the internet. “As bad as social media can be, it’s really helping us right now. Me and my brother are learning how to cook really good from TikTok and stuff, and it’s where I do most of my talking to my friends,” Nigel says. “We work out, we try to stay moving, and the few times we’ve seen friends, we do it distantly and carefully.” ARIANNA SMITH IS BLAC’S FORMER INTERN AND A DETROITBASED FREELANCE WRITER. BLACdetroit.com • MARCH 2021 • BLAC 47
Palmer Palmer Woods Woods
Moderne By Ann Duke Photos by Beth Singer
Kizzmett and Harold Collins walk us through their midcentury home, designed by famed architect Irving Tobocman, and dressed up with the help of designer Jeanine Haith and a thoughtful sprinkling of African art.
D
This diamond print from York Wallcoverings create a focal point for the great room. The large sectional anchors the expansive space that features floor-to-ceiling windows designed to bring the outdoors in.
W W
hen Kizzmett and Harold Collins walked into their Palmer Woods home for the first time, in 1999, they were awestruck by the space. Harold – a retired city of Detroit environmental health and safety manager who now practices as a criminal attorney – and Kizzmett – a 40-year veteran of DTE where she is an information tech manager – had been searching for a home in Palmer Woods but were not attracted to the typical Tudor-type homes that populate the historic neighborhood. The 3,600-square-foot home, built in 1959 with its distinctive midcentury façade, was the first commissioned residential design by famed Detroit architect Irving Tobocman. Tobocman designed more than 400 residential and commercial structures in the U.S. and around the world during his long and celebrated career. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and the Bauhaus movement, Tobocman’s designs often featured flat roofs, floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights. The architect oversaw every detail of the Collins home and worked tirelessly to integrate the outdoor space with the interior. Every room has a door that leads to the outside allowing the inhabitants to access the outdoors throughout the house. Tobocman continued designing well into his 80s and remained at the top of his field. He was tragically killed in a car crash in 2017 at age 84. His rich body of work in the residential field, and the many stores, restaurants, synagogues and commercial buildings that he designed, leave a rich legacy and cement him as a master of his craft. Although the property has had multiple owners over the years, very few and only minor changes have been made to the original structure. Harold and Kizzmett raised their now 25-year-old daugther in the home and, over the years, amassed a collection of African and eclectic art during their travels and decorated the home with furnishings sensitive to the home’s midcentury moderne architecture. "One of the most special pieces in the house to us is the piano, mostly because it belonged to Harold's mother," Kizzmett says. For many years, members of the Palmer Woods Homeowners Association urged the couple to open their home to the Palmer Woods Home & Garden Tour. Although they were flattered, Harold and Kizzmett thought the home was not exactly showhouse-ready. In 2018, they were convinced that the time was right. The couple was introduced to interior designer Jeanine Haith and 50 BLAC • MARCH 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
Photo by Barbara Barefield
charged her with helping them to prepare the home for the 2019 tour. Haith – who spent the early years of her career in advertising and sales at Ford Motor Company – has loved design since childhood. She would spend her vacation time traveling to global showhouses and antiques fairs, finding inspiration in unique and one-of-a-kind items. In the evenings, she would complete coursework in design and art history. After renovating and designing her own historic home in Indian Village, she decided to enter the interior design field full time. Haith opened a home furnishings store in Grosse Pointe in 2007. It was a gutsy move for a Black woman to open a retail establishment in the midst of a financial downturn – but she was determined. "I always wanted my store to be authentic, unique and different. I didn't want someone to walk in and say that they saw a piece in another retail store or gallery," she says. The retail experience was vital to Haith’s growth, but working with clients in their homes was where she found true satisfaction. The store changed locations in 2012 and morphed into a full-fledged design studio, ShowHouse Interiors. Because of her keen eye for unique and eclectic furnishings, art and decorative objects, she became highly sought after by homeowners across the region. Along with her design assistant Kristen Booth, the studio currently operates out of its metro Detroit location and has expanded to Greensboro, North Carolina. When Haith met with the Collins for the first
time she immediately fell in love with the home, saying that, “The bones were spectacular.” Humorously, Harold admitted that he assumed this entire exercise would consist of making some minor cosmetic changes to the space – but Haith had a slightly grander vision. She was drawn to the homeowners’ collection of furnishings and art, knowing she could help them to elevate the space in a way that wouldn’t take away from their personalities and lifestyle. Over the five months that followed, the homeowners lived in the house while Haith and her team went to work. One of the first improvements was to replace the existing floor coverings. The designer worked with Stark Carpet in Troy and sourced heavy-duty wool, salt-and-pepper, wall-to-wall carpeting. This treatment unified the design from room to room and provided the neutral pallet that would enable the furnishings and art collection to take center stage. Haith then added drama with wallpaper by York Wallcoverings – available to the trade from the Michigan Design Center – as well as paint treatments in the dining room. This provided a focal point for the large space, which spills into the great room. A faux fireplace added by a previous homeowner was removed from the living room, returning the area to the original design intended by the architect. The custom draperies in the great room were provided by Eve Draperies in Sterling Heights. The simplicity and sheer elegance of the fabric
D The stunning baby grand piano belonged to Harold’s mother and has great sentimental value to the family. A faux fireplace installed by a previous owner was removed from the wall behind, returning the great room to its original design.
WD
Palmer Palmer Woods Woods
Moderne
Moderne
The exotic wood wall with built-ins is original to the house and provides a perfect backdrop for the couple’s collection of African and eclectic art.
allows light to stream through while providing privacy when needed. Haith was able to maintain many of the anchor furniture pieces that the Collins had collected over the years, including the large sectional in the great room. She worked with Harper Upholstery Workroom in Detroit to reupholster some of the existing furniture. Fabrics by Fabricut, S. Harris and Stroheim were used throughout the home. The Asian-inspired chairs in the entryway had been purchased by the couple for their previous home 30 years prior but fit beautifully into their new home. A beautiful baby grand piano that had belonged to Harold’s mother anchors a corner of the great room. The couple’s collection of predominantly African art mixed with eclectic pieces provided the springboard needed for Haith to supplement with unique pieces that she curated
52 BLAC • MARCH 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
from her expansive network. The designer called on her friend Marvin Nash at Marketplace Antiques to procure the paintings in the stairwell along with other unique items. Eric’s I’ve Been Framed in Detroit was enlisted for custom art framing throughout the home. The monkey coffee table was found at Odd Fellows Antiques in Berkley and the Lucite dining chairs had been in Haith’s ShowHouse Interiors private stash for years. The designer also worked with Bernard Davis Estate Sales in Detroit to provide additional decorative items. As the date of the home tour approached, in true Extreme Makeover: Home Edition fashion, Haith ordered the couple to vacate the house for 24 hours in preparation for the big reveal. She and her crew worked through the night, placing furniture, installing art and attending to the finish-
D
D
Palmer Palmer Woods Woods
ing touches. Neighbors reported a frenzy of activity to Harold and Kizzmett. The next day when the interior was revealed, the couple was thrilled with the results. Their dream home had been transformed into a true showplace. "It was quite exciting to see their reaction. That's what we live for!" Haith says. The designer successfully utilized furnishings and artworks the couple had lovingly collected and supplemented with exciting new pieces that complemented the home and its origins perfectly. The goal of having the interior reflect the family’s history, lifestyle and interests was achieved while honoring and respecting the architect’s original vision for the home. The 2019 Palmer Woods tour was a huge success and hundreds of curious metro Detroiters had the opportunity to see inside this midcentury masterpiece.
D
This Asianinspired chair with its subtle curves expertly juxtaposes the bold, clean lines of the walls and floors. The artwork on the wall consists of shells intricately woven with pins, creating a beautiful, textural visual effect.
Visit BLACdetroit.com/PalmerHome for more photos of the home.
Moderne
Where to Shop
Jeanine Haith is known for her keen eye and ability to procure unique, one-of-a-kind items for her clients. Here, she shares some of her favorite local spots.
SHOWHOUSE INTERIORS 377 Fisher Road, #J, Grosse Pointe (also in Greensboro, N.C.) 313-444-9551 showhouseinteriors.com STARK CARPET 1697 Stutz Drive, Troy 248-643-6255 starkcarpet.com EVE DRAPERIES (By appointment only) 248-225-6313 ERIC’S I’VE BEEN FRAMED 16527 Livernois Ave., Detroit 313-861-9263 ericsivebeenframed.com HARPER UPHOLSTERY WORKROOM 14534 Harper Ave., Detroit 313-822-1348 MARKETPLACE ANTIQUES GALLERY 2047 Gratiot Ave., Detroit 313-567-8250
D
D
D
Palmer Palmer Woods Woods
Paintings in the open stairwell were sourced through Marketplace Antiques and reflect the homeowners’ love of art from this century. The carpet treatment unifies the lower floor with the upstairs.
ODD FELLOWS ANTIQUES 3248 Twelve Mile Road, Berkley 248-399-6098 oddfellowsantiques.com ANOTHER BERNARD DAVIS ESTATE SALES 313-415-7477 anotherbernarddavisestatesales.com MICHIGAN DESIGN CENTER 1700 Stutz Drive, Troy 248-649-4772 michigandesign.com
BLACdetroit.com • MARCH 2021 • BLAC 55
access
DETROIT | MARCH 2021
V
irtual and socially distanced events and exhibitions from Detroit’s arts and education institutions.
MOTOR CITY UNDERGROUND • MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART DETROIT
This exhibition presents the photographs of Leni Sinclair, best known for her work chronicling radical movements of Detroit since the 1960s. Accompanying the exhibition, MOCAD is partnering with Foggy Notion Books to publish a 408-page monograph of the artist’s work. Currently open through April 18 mocadetroit.org
VIRTUAL PLANETARIUM SHOW: BLACK HOLES • WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
See the night sky over Detroit and learn about black holes ranging from the mass of a single star to the supermassive ones a million times heavier than our sun that live at the center of every galaxy. Also get access to a short astronomical film. March 7, 1-2 p.m. events.wayne.edu
HISTORICAL MARKER POKER RUN • DETROIT HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Learn all about the history of the city as you and your team drive around and try to collect the best seven-card stud hand possible. March 13, noon-4 p.m. detroithistorical.org
56 BLAC • MARCH 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
ABOVE AND RIGHT: Robert Blackburn & Modern American Printmaking BELOW: Motor City Underground
TEEN COUNCIL FILM FEST • DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS
Teens and young adults ages 13 to 20 are invited to join a virtual film festival and panel discussion on the creative process. Attendees will be given an opportunity to view films by teen filmmakers and interact with the artists. March 13, 5-7 p.m. dia.org
REPARATIONS: A CONVERSATION • CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM
This six-part virtual speaker series explores the controversial subject of reparations on a federal, state and local level, foregrounding the work of activists. Two of the six programs are dedicated to artists, filmmakers and performers who tackle race and justice. Thursdays March 18-April 22, 6-7:30 p.m. thewright.org
ROBERT BLACKBURN & MODERN AMERICAN PRINTMAKING • DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS
Celebrate the work of Blackburn, a Black artist born to Jamaican immigrants in 1920 and raised in Harlem. This exhibition highlights his life and work, revealing how his innovative printmaking expertise helped define the aesthetic of the American graphics “boom.” March 20-Sept. 5 dia.org
BLACdetroit.com For a complete list of events, visit our online calendar.
BLACdetroit.com • MARCH 2021 • BLAC 57
SEEN
Too Cool for School We asked our readers to submit snaps of their kids making the most of their virtual learning environments.
Valenie A
Darius Brantley Jr.
KarLee Graves 58 BLAC • MARCH 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
Alauna Marable