BLAC Detroit Magazine February 2022 by BLAC Magazine

BLACK LIFE, ARTS & CULTURE

U.S. FEBRUARY ISSUE

$4.99 2022 2202

THIS IS BLACK LOVE BLACdetroit.com • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLAC 1

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CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH We’re pleased to introduce CHRISTOPHER HUNTER, our Director of Equity and Engagement. With Christopher’s leadership and the support of our students, faculty and staff, we’re focused on meaningful actions to elevate inclusion, diversity, equity and access throughout Schoolcraft College. That includes a series of “My Story, My Voice” essays written by our students, faculty, alumni and staff. We invite you to read them at Schoolcraft.edu/BHM

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FEBRUARY 2022

INSIDE 6 7 8 10

Online at BLACdetroit.com Best of The Rest Letter from the Editor Contributors

FEATURES 28

This Is BLAC Excellence We Do This: Black inventors who changed our world

This is BLAC Love Four couples share lessons in enduring love

DEPARTMENTS 12

Happy New Year: Fiction by Keith Owens

King Boulevard Earl Hardy's new film examines the legacy of MLK Boulevards all over the country

Celebrating Willie O'Ree, the first Black player in the NHL

Appraised 20

The Profound Voice of Keely Mitchell.

InStyle 22

Fashion through the decades.

BLAC Travel Did somebody say Baecation? Internatonal luxury travel for couples

BLAC Food & Drank A Taste of Soul

ACCESS Feeling the history and the love

SEEN Stage presence: A look at Dance Theatre of Harlem.

ON THE COVER: Original Artwork By Rosemary Summers.

SUBSCRIBE TO

TODAY!

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Never miss an issue. Scan the QR code or visit BLACdetroit.com/subscribe to sign up for a one-year subscription of BLAC. To be taken off our mailing list, please email info@BLACdetroit.com.

WHERE LIVING IN THE MOMENT MEETS PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE. At Wayne State University, our campus is alive 24/7. With thousands of students living here and over 500 student organizations, there’s always something happening. There’s incredible food, art, culture and music all around Detroit, and everyone who experiences our campus knows one thing: Warriors live here.

SPRING OPEN HOUSE: MARCH 12 Register for this event at go.wayne.edu/openhouse-22 To experience campus life, scan here or visit go.wayne.edu/yourfuture

WARRIOR STRONG BLACdetroit.com • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLAC 5

Online in February

BLACdetroit.com

ST. JUDE’S BLACK HISTORY The National Civil Rights Museum’s newest exhibit highlights notable Black figures that impacted St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

REAL ESTATE DISPARITY How to correct the disparity in commercial real estate.

“ROADFOOD" Detroit Public Television spotlights the legacy of soul food in Detroit

BLAC® RECIPES

GET BLAC FRIDAYS

Taste of Soul: Bringing us together with food for the soul and excellent cocktails!

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Fb.com/BLACdetroitMagazine

@BLACMagazine

@BLAC

Best Of The Rest Trending Topics You Should Know

Detroit, proper.

Karen Dumas takes an unflinching look at those who claim Detroit when convenient but fail to sincerely embrace the City. As a lifelong Detroiter who has endured the ups and downs of her City, Ms. Dumas makes a distinction between those who are Detroiters versus those who are merely fans.

Bel-Air Redux

In honor of Peacock’s new series, Bel-Air, we remember the impact the original Fresh Prince of Bel-Air had on our culture and highlight some of our favorite episodes.

Detroit Ice Dreams

Founder and CEO of Detroit Ice Dreams and Youth Ambassador for the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings, Jason McCrimmon, has dedicated his postplayer life to teaching kids about the game he loves.

Science Rules

Founded by two young Black women scientists from Detroit, The Lab Drawer™ is a monthly-subscription box for middle-schoolers that teaches science concepts through augmented reality (AR) and the arts. Each box meets Next Generation Science Standards and is designed to be used at home or in the classroom.

Malcolm X Inkster residence added to National Register of Historic Places

After once being listed for demolition, the Inkster, Michigan residence of Malcolm X has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Detroit News reported that Inkster resident Aaron Sims, who saved the home from being torn down, is also spearheading an effort to transform the property into a museum dedicated to the life and work of Malcolm X.

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EDITOR'S LETTER

“Lord, Lord, Why did You make me Black? Why did You make me someone — the world wants to hold back?” I remember reciting these words in elementary school, as we were learning the infamous poem by RuNett Nia Ebo — and not fully understanding what it meant. Attending an Afrocentric elementary school, Marcus Garvey Academy, meant Black history and culture were engrained in our curriculum. We engaged in the arts, language, and traditions of the culture while uncovering change-makers like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and W.E.B. Du Bois. They are undoubtedly history-makers, leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. Their dreams, actions and advocacy have aided in the progress we’ve had over the years. However, names like Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland and Jemel Roberson are reminders that we still have so much work to do. Despite the injustices and inequality — as a race and a culture — we still rise. Rise above to invent. Rise above to love. Rise above to leave our mark on everything we touch. That’s what we wanted to focus on in this issue: Black Love. Black Excellence.

"I don't like to gamble, but if there's one thing I'm willing to bet on, it's myself."

As you dive into this issue during — Black History Month and beyond — it’s our hope not only that you reflect on those who’ve paved the way and started the race, but also that you prepare to carry the torch to continue the change in your own way. Their efforts brought us this far — now it’s up to us — to take it farther.

A Couple Of Things About Me:

Erikka Yvonne

I love sippin’ my tea. I’m referring to minding my business and drinking tea. I love Detroit Black Independent Films. It’s something about the authenticity that screams Black Detroit Excellence!

IG: @erikkayvonne

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Twitter: @erikkayvonne

WHATEVER IS CEO/Publisher: Billy Strawter Jr. Associate Publisher: Ann Duke EDITORIAL Editor In Chief: Erikka Yvonne Copy Editor: Joshua G. Content Specialist: Savannah Strawter Digital Content Producer: Jasmine Graham Contributors: Keith Owens, Nick Pizaña, Nadira Jamerson, Brenae Inge

CREATIVE AND PRODUCTION SUPPORT MILO DETROIT, INC. Chief Creative Ofﬁcer: Mark Simon Director of Content: Jeremy Smith Production/Advertising Operations: Christine LaSalle SALES Sales Directors: Samantha Alessandri, Gail Bindi PARTNERSHIPS Partnership/Events Coordinator: Ebony Jones ADMINISTRATION Director of Business Operations: Victoria Webb Accounting Associate: Judy Stewart

NEXT For Grand Valley students, next is opportunity and innovation. Next is global, connecting and uniting us. It’s local, shaping the spaces in which we work and live. It’s a commitment to progress. Next is where minds are free to imagine what could be. At GVSU, next is now. And whatever’s next for you, we will help you get there.

gvsu.edu/next

PUBLIC RELATIONS & PROMOTIONS Bankable Marketing Strategies Chief Executive Ofﬁcer: Sharon Banks VP, Marketing & Communications: Erica Banks

PUBLISHER: publisher@BLACdetroit.com SALES: sales@BLACdetroit.com DESIGN: design@BLACdetroit.com EDITORIAL: editorial@BLACdetroit.com CALENDAR: calendar@BLACdetroit.com DISTRIBUTION: distribution@BLACdetroit.com

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CONTRIBUTORS

Meet Our Contributors BLAC thanks our freelance writers and creative contributors. They help make each issue possible.

Painting: Black Love Will Keep Us Together Artist: Rosemary Summers Narrative: Rosemary Summers This painting represents the triumphant dance of the sustaining force that kept black people alive, flourishing and successful in many areas of life, while overcoming incredible obstacles and disadvantages. That sustaining force is “Black Love!” The couple celebrating their colorful heritage found in the loins of their forefathers as represented by the African mask man’s face between them. The three figures joined together creates a “heart” of love and the ribbons atop of the head ties the diverse and beautiful culture of a people that was created through black love. The couple dancing above a chess board represents the intelligence, intuition, skill, courage and strategic maneuverings it took to bring us from 1619 to 2022! The only sustainable force that could do this and continues to do this is “Black Love!”

Rose Mary Messenger Summers (b. 1952) Surrealist Figurative Color-Field Painter Rose Mary Messenger Summers was born on October 12, 1952 in Detroit, Michigan. She was reared by her mother and father along with four siblings. She graduated Kettering High School in 1971. Rose began her career in the first grade when she drew a picture of herself and colored it. The teacher stapled it to the bulletin board and she immediately felt like an artist. Her mom and dad planted the seed, “You can do anything” in her heart early in her life. When they realized she had artistic abilities they encouraged her to draw and paint daily. At age 17 Rose created her first Masterpiece that was adored by many in her community. Her biggest influence was Artist Salvador Dali. His convoluted way of painting intrigued her, and she loved the idea of incorporating his style in her paintings. Rose created murals, taught art classes and managed camps for inner city youth through the auspices of Operation Get Down and New Detroit Incorporated. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Clothing and Textiles. Ironically, she did not pursue an art curriculum. Rose is basically a self-taught artist who has taken classes over the years at Michigan State University, Eastern Michigan University and Oakland University. In 1990 Rose earned her master’s degree in Special Education. Consequently, during that time she started her business, The Summers Signature Collection LLC. She decided to paint her jewelry using a foundation that she invented and was able to reproduce hundreds of times while using the paint pouring method that is popular today. She created unbelievable beautiful painted brooches, earrings and pendants that she called Art Jewelry. For 27 years Rose sold her successful art jewelry in Detroit, New York, Texas, California, Carnegie Museum and the 30 Americans Tour at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Rose decided to return to painting in 2018 motivated by a desire to pick up the brush because of her affiliation with the Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club. In a short period of time Rose sold art locally and Nationally. Today Rose’s Art hangs in the prestigious Umoja Fine Arts Gallery in Southfield Michigan and adorn the walls of numerous VIP Collectors both locally and nationally.

WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR TALENTED CONTRIBUTORS!

If you're an experienced writer, photographer or artist interested in working with BLAC, email your résumé and samples of your work to editor@BLACdetroit.com.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR

6:51 P.M., 2021

Urban Fiction by Keith A. Owens

New Year's Eve

So Bobby and I are supposed to go to this party with a buncha folks that he knows (probably ain't been for longer than a week) who told him this was the place to be for New Year's. I believed him because Bobby's always been the one to know where the party's gonna be. He's just good like that. Always has been, ever since we were kids. He was the one could bluff his way into the best parties with way older kids and then convince whoever was at the door why they should let me in too. It's been awhile since those days, like close to thirty years or more. And truth be told, Bobby and I haven't hung together or even talked that much since we reached that age where technically you're supposed to be adults. But 2021 has been a year, just like 2020, and if there's one thing I've learned through all this it's that ain't nothin' promised. Or whatever you thought was promised might not be promised anymore. It's all up for grabs, which is why I figured this wasn't the year that I wanted to spend all by my damned self (again) with a beer fallin' outta my hand while I'm tryin to stay awake on the couch watchin the ball drop in Times Square. I wanted to get back out there, Back to the World like that Curtis Mayfield song. So I rang Bobby up. He sounded surprised to hear from me, but in a good way. After we got semi-caught up, tellin each other some of where we'd been and what we'd been up to but leaving out a few things too, he gave me an address that I recognized as being on the west side. "Yo, can you pick me up? My car been actin' funny and I gotta take it into the shop. It'd probably get us there, but I'd rather not take any chances. Especially not with the way it's snowin out here, right?" He was right about the snow, and I nodded even though I knew he couldn't see me from his cell phone. Still, it was funny the memories that brought back; Bobby was always havin trouble with his cars. Even the ones he borrowed seemed to always have something wrong with them. "Yeah, all right. Shouldn't be a problem. I'll be there around 11." Same old Bobby.

11:05 P.M.

I picked him up from an apartment building in the section of Midtown that still looked like the old Cass Corridor, down but not out. Watching him come shambling out the doors toward the car, half limping half jogging through the snow, let me know he had probably left out more than I had when we called ourselves getting caught up on each other's lives. He still had that lop-sided grin though, which warmed me up. I was glad to see him. He hopped in the car, then slammed the door so hard I thought the window was gonna crack. "Damn, bruh! Go easy on the merchandise! This thing ain't paid for yet, you know?" Bobby threw his head back and laughed, which relaxed me a bit even though it probably should have worried me instead. "Just drive, nigguh. I ain't tryin to break your little delicate foreign car. Not on New Year's, anyway. But what a way to start the new year, right? Breakin' your buddy's car? Yo, what you need is to buy American, something that won't break so easy. But anyway." He laughed again, then pointed straight ahead through the windshield. He was wearing gloves so frayed they were about to fall off, and I had to wonder what kinda party it was we were headed to where you could get in dressed like that. But no way would I have said that out loud and hurt his feelings. It just kinda hurt me that Bobby was in this shape and I hadn't even known about it. "So where we goin', man?" I asked, tryin to sound cheerful. "I gave you the address, right?" "Damn. Yeah, right. OK, here we go. 2022, here we come!"

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A NEW YEAR HAD BEGUN

"That was the last time I ever saw my friend."

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A NEW YEAR HAD BEGUN

11:17 P.M.

We slowed up in front of a rundown house on Clairmount that looked like nobody had lived there for years; two of the front windows on the second story level were boarded up, and the front screen door was hanging open. The porch light was on, but the porch looked suspect and there were no lights on inside. There were a lot of cars parked up and down both sides of the street, enough to suggest something was going on somewhere even if it wasn't inside this house. "Doesn't look like there's anywhere to park that's close if that's the house, but that can't be the house. Ain't no lights on and it looks like hell," I said as I turned the corner down a side street. Bobby nodded, looking solemn. "Yeah, I guess it does look kinda messed up. Yo, that's the address they gave me though, so..." "You got somebody's number you can call? Just to check? You never know, sometimes people can get things wrong even if they don't mean to." "I probably shoulda asked, but naw. She didn't give me a number. Just said to show up." "She...?" Bobby chuckled. "Yeah, well, you know. Say, maybe if we hang here for a minute, then drive around the block again and see if anything changed.

11:35 P.M.

When we made our next pass around front the house was lit up like the Christmas tree downtown, and a packed crowd was hanging out on the porch, which now looked almost brand new. The screen door was closed but the door was open and I caught a glimpse of more bodies packed inside of a house that looked like I imagined it did when it was built nearly a century ago, just like most of the other houses on the block. The folks were laughin, smokin and drinkin like the temperature wasn't below 20 degrees and the snow wasn't thick in the air getting ready to add several more inches to what was already on the ground. And now there was a parking space in front. It was the only one I could see anywhere around, and it was under the streetlight. The perfect parking space. I looked at Bobby, eyebrow raised. "This ain't just me, right?" Bobby shook his head real slow. "Naw, bruh. Believe me, this ain't just you. Let's go around one more time." "Good idea." When we came back around, the space was still there, and the party was still jumpin. I pulled up alongside the open spot and eased my foot onto the brake, the motor running, still making up my mind whether this was a good idea, when Bobby's face lit up. He pointed toward the porch.

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"Hey, there's that girl who told me about the party!" She was tall and slender with her hair done up in platinum blonde braided twists mixed in with black and brown. Despite the temperature, she wore a short, shimmery sleeveless silver dress and furry white stocking-type boots that reached above her knees. Right after Bobby yelled out his recognition it was like she heard someone call her name, even though the car windows were rolled up and the music was loud enough to be shaking the whole block. Her eyes, which looked like they belonged to a cat, locked onto Bobby. She gave him a near-blinding smile as she beckoned with her forefinger, then began to grind her hips along to the music. Her locks began to rise from her scalp, writhing back and forth in slow motion. I remembered a movie I saw one time about this woman with a head full of snakes. Medusa...? "What you waitin on, man? Let's park this thing!" "Bobby, you don't see what's goin on with that girl's hair?" Bobby gave me a look that I haven't forgotten to this day, and I never will. His eyes looked wild, angry and scared all at the same time. And desperate. For a moment it looked like he was trying to say something, but the words wouldn't come out. Then his eyes went flat, and there was this metallic tone in his voice that was colder than the weather. "Man, I said park this thing."

11:56 P.M.

New Year's Day

I never did park the car, but I told Bobby if he wanted to go then he could. But I wasn't coming. I thought maybe he looked sad, but it was just for a second before he called me something I wish he hadn't and left me sitting there after he slammed the door behind him. That was the last time I ever saw my friend. I still remember the braids on that girl's head drifting back down to her shoulders as Bobby got closer, while her body started grinding and pulsing viciously like a maniac dance - or like it was hungry for something. The rest of the crowd had stopped whatever conversations they were having as Bobby stepped onto the porch. Their eyes began to glow, some green, some red as they focused their attention on the newcomer, circling in around him tight. Then the music stopped, and all I could hear was a low rumble of murmurs and hisses. Sounds like steam leaking from a pipe and another sound I don't ever want to hear again squeezed through the rolled up windows of my car. Bobby's scream was cut short as his body was swallowed by theirs, and I mean that literally. They swallowed him. From somewhere a bell rang, echoing through the swirling snow. But it only rang once, and then the house went dark. A new year had begun.

DISCOVER

ICONIC

CIVIL RIGHTS SITES IN JACKSON, MS

MARGARET WALKER ALEXANDER Margaret Walker Center

RICHARD WRIGHT Smith Robertson Museum & Cultural Center

HEZEKIAH WATKINS Mississippi Civil Rights Museum

MEDGAR EVERS Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument

visitjackson.com/jxnicons BLACdetroit.com • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLAC 15

DISCOVER By Nick Pizaña

KING BOU

King

to be pulled from the research that I did.”

(MLK) Boulevards can be

The film is currently in its preproduction stage.

found in cities across the

Hardy expects filming to begin this spring and

world, they often fall short

his team are still in the process of raising funds.

of being a beacon for

hile

Martin

Luther

order

help

bring

attention

King’s legacy and dream for Black prosperity.

the film and to the people in Detroit

Instead, they are more often synonymous

doing the hard work of improving their

with being rough areas that hold little

community, Hardy brought together more

opportunities for the people living there. Why

than 20 people working for change in

did it get this way and what can be done to

Detroit together for an epic photoshoot.

change this? These are the questions being addressed in a new film

“King Blvd,”

produced by writer and filmmaker Earl Hardy. Hardy is a Detroit native who currently lives in Los Angeles. He has a background in other

advertising short

films

and and

has music

“I invited people from the nonprofit sector, city government, the creative space, and education to come together and celebrate them and what they’re doing.”

produced videos.

Hardy gathered these leaders to Martin Luther King Park in Detroit and arranged them in a

The film centers around Joshua, a young

photoshoot paying homage to the famous

man living on MLK boulevard who wants

photo

to do something positive with his life. One

day, his mentor offers him the opportunity

with

of a lifetime, but only on the condition that

and Thelonius Monk and others sitting in

he can help revive the run-down street.

suits in front of a brownstone building.

According to Hardy, it’s a comedy with a social commentary. Over the past few years, Hardy has done excessive research about Dr. King, and how so many streets took his name.

“A Great Day in Harlem,”

1958 Jazz

photo

from

legends

Esquire

Dizzy

Magazine Gillespe,

“I wanted to raise awareness for the project and also talk about people in the city who were upholding the values of Dr. King,”

“I took the research and made a story

Hardy says. For him, the link between these

around it. The characters in the movie and

leaders and Dr. King lies in their ability

the issues that they deal with are all going

to gather mass support to affect change.

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ULEVARD

“The idea of galvanizing individuals around an issue is really important, and that's why I wanted to bring together those individuals from those sectors … to really hit that home.” To help support the film or to find out more about more about the people featured in the photo visit: https://kingblvdfeaturefilm.com/ BLACdetroit.com • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLAC 17

Celebrating Willie O'Ree

The first Black player in the NHL

In 1958, Wille O’Ree laced up his skates and changed the National Hockey League forever by becoming the first black professional hockey player. Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Willie was the youngest of 13 children and one of only two Black families living in Fredericton. He started playing hockey at three years old and fell in love with the game. Willie joined the Fredericton Falcons in the New Brunswick Amateur Hockey Association at 15 years old and quickly moved up the ranks AHA leagues around the Canadian provinces. In the midst of the civil rights movement, integration of the US military and educational desegregation, Willie, the descendant of escaped slaves, was called up from his minor league club in Quebec to skate with the Boston Bruins. On January 18, 1958, Willie O’Ree made history by being the first Black player to play in the NHL, and on January 1, 1961, he became the first Black player to score a goal in the NHL. Willie played 45 games in the NHL and went on to play over 22 years of minor league hockey. In his autobiography, “The Autobiography of Willie O’Ree: Hockey’s Black Pioneer,” O’Ree wrote that color was never an issue on those early rinks: “The fact that I was black never came up when we played as kids. You could have been purple with a green stripe down the middle of your forehead, and it wouldn’t have mattered. It was only later, when I became older, that I learned what “color barrier” meant” Willie’s impact on the game goes far beyond the time he spent on the ice. Since 1998, he has been the NHL's director of youth development and an ambassador for NHL Diversity. This role has put him face-to-face with the future generations of players where he has helped establish 39 grassroots hockey programs in North America as part of the Hockey is for Everyone initiative, inspiring more than 130,000 boys and girls to play the sport. The vision he has held for a better hockey community has resulted in countless awards and honors. In 2008 O'Ree was inducted into the Order of Canada, the country's highest civilian honor. In 2018, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Builder Category. Today, at 86 years old, Willie O’Ree’s passion for the game of hockey remains unchanged.

PHOTO CREDITS: National Hockey League

In January, the Boston Bruins retired the number 22 in honor of Willie and later this year he will receive the 116th United States Congressional Gold Medal, the U.S. Congress' highest honor for his contributions to "hockey, inclusion and recreational opportunity." O'Ree is the first player in NHL history to receive the honor.

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PHOTO CREDITS: National Hockey League

CELEBRATE YOURSELF! TAKE THE Y170CHALLENGE This year — as the Y turns 170 — you could be a fitter, happier, healthier version of yourself. Learn how the YMCA can help you achieve 170 minutes of movement weekly, starting now.

YMCA OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT This year — in the lead up to its 170th anniversary — YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit is encouraging everyone to celebrate by committing to the Y 170 Challenge. “We’re trying to make a fun way of celebrating by getting everyone to engage in healthy movement for 170 minutes each week,” explains Helene Weir, YMCA President and CEO. “That exceeds the recommended number by the CDC, but if we get everyone in metro Detroit to have 170 minutes a week of activity, everyone will be that much healthier.” You don’t have to run a marathon to be healthy, Weir says, and she encourages every

person of every age to just go for a walk every day. “I typically ride an exercise bike every morning, and I have a habit of waking up and getting some exercise in each morning,” she says. “I like to go to the Y gym and work on the machines several times a week. And, on a beautiful day, I’ll also go for a walk.”

Take the Y 170 Challenge To sweeten the deal — and make it easy to track those minutes — YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit has developed a smartphone app to log your movement. Those who participate will be entered to win prizes, including Y memberships and Y swag. But the real benefit to taking part in the Y 170 challenge is preventing chronic diseases, like heart disease and diabetes. And healthy movement can help you shed unwanted pounds, too. The CDC recommends 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week, and adding an extra 20 minutes can offer even greater benefit. “We are asking people to share their stories,

FIND YOUR PASSION. FIND YOUR PURPOSE. FIND YOUR Y.

Familes that join the Y, get unlimted fun for less than $3/day

Family Memberships include use of pools, gyms, updated Wellness Centers, indoor tracks—and perks, like: » Group exercise classes—like Zumba & yoga! » Child Watch—to make attending classes easier! » Parent’s Night Out—because you deserve a break!

YMCA OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT

whether they walk the dog, come to the Y or park far away from the store or office. How do you 170?” asks Latitia McCree, Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing for YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit. You don’t have to be a member of the YMCA to participate, but if you check out all of the group fitness classes and facilities at your local YMCA, you might just be tempted to join.

Make it a habit Making healthy movement a habit is key to success, says Patrice Harold, M.D., Chief of OB/GYN at Sinai Grace Hospital in Detroit and YMCA Board Member. She loves to visit the Y because everyone is so generous with their compliments, she says. “The staff members always say ‘You are looking great!’ and it’s rewarding to get that encouragement. It’s very helpful,” she says. Sign up for a Zumba, aerobics or spin class to help build movement into your routine and keep doing it until it becomes a natural part of your day, Dr. Harold suggests. Book some time in your local Y pool or take advantage of their expert fitness trainers. And get your kids involved, too. “Kids want to be like us, so they follow in our footprints. My kids were not runners, but as a family we did a 5K together every few months,” she says. “Now they are adults and they are running. When they get stressed out, they go for a 30-minute run.” Keep an eye out for Dr. Harold as she challenges friends to a morning group run downtown, then adds some evening yoga to maintain balance and form — and wind down for a great night of sleep. Whatever your age or ability, 170 minutes of movement each week is an achievable goal, and your local YMCA is here to help.

JOIN THE Y BEFORE MARCH 31ST TO TAKE 25% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH! JOIN THE Y 170 CHALLENGE ON THE Y DETROIT APP FOR A FREE 7-DAY PASS! @YMCADetroit ymcadetroit.org BLACdetroit.com • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLAC 19

APPRAISED By Brenae Inge

THE PROFOUND VOICE OF

KEELY MITCHELL

eyond the songstress, Keely Mitchell, The Artist — formerly known as Keely Ferguson — is a multidimensional soul. Her diversified hats include singer, songwriter, musician, wife, and mother. She is one of those humans whose passion exudes across all of her crafts and skills. She is a versatile woman and musical advocate, delivering a significant range of pontificating rhythm and blues, and soul. Keely is both soloist and one half of the R&B duo, “Sweet Novmber,” alongside her husband, Michael Alln.

More profound than her voice and many other gifts, is her mission of creating her dream life and propelling legacy forward through family business and eternal love.

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WHERE IS KEELY’S MINDSET RIGHT NOW? Fresh off a maternity break, I’m ready to dive back into the world of entertainment. The time I spent building a family with my husband, Michael Alln, also gave me two years to perfect my direction as an artist, entrepreneur and, most importantly, a woman. Taking on a role in my husband’s independent label “BaseHead Entertainment” and starting our band “Sweet Novmber” has given me a new perspective on navigating my craft. The entire world has changed around us and left no choice other than to keep up with a constantly changing economy. NFTs (nonfungible tokens) and DSPs (digital service providers) are things most people don’t think about but for conscious artists like myself it’s become a constant conversation to redefine our careers. It was important for my partner and I to study the transitioning industries and make our art available throughout the growing world of technology. We’re making our music available on all spaces within the meta and universe in hopes to stay connected with our audience.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR KEELY? I look forward to releasing more music throughout the year. I am excited for my solo album, “Dream Queen,” and the band's first living album, “Year One,” to land on your hearts and your playlists. It will fuse classic R&B with screwed pop and melodic acoustics. I feel insanely driven and focused to grow in business, love and leadership. YOU CAN FIND KEELY AND ALL OF HER MUSICAL VIBES AND PROJECTS ON WWW.HEYKEELYMICHELL.COM AND WWW.SWEETNOVMBER.COM

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IN STYLE Curated by Savannah Strawter

Fashion through

Travel back in time with these timeless pieces capture

1930s-1940s Brother Vellies

1950s-1960s White Space Jewelry

Lauryn Loafer $725 • www.brothervellies.com

Cassiopeia Earrings $298 • www.whitespacejewelry.com

▼

1930s-1940s Oﬀ White

Denim Dress $995 • www.off---white.com

1950s-1960s Fe Noel

▼

Orange Puff Sleeve Cardigan $555 • www.fenoel.com

▼

▼ 1900s-1920s Christopher John Rogers

Topstitched cotton-twill maxi dress $1,147.50 • www.net-a-porter.com

22 BLAC • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLACdetroit.com

gh the

Decades ▼ ▼

tured from each decade.

All of these fashion and beauty brands are Black owned!

1970s-1980s Christopher John Rogers

1990s-2000s Mowalola

Color-block ribbed wool-blend cardigan $675 • www.net-a-porter.com

Bundle Bag $737 • www.mowalola.com

▼

1990s-2000s Phlemuns

Cargo Bra $225 • www.phlemuns.com

1920s-1930s Flora Bodysuit $795 • www.anyalust.com

▼

▼ 1970s-1980s Christopher John Rogers Twill wide-leg pants $975 • www.net-a-porter.com

BLACdetroit.com • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLAC 23

The Detroit Development Fund is proud to have provided access to capital, business assistance and loans to Detroit Black owned businesses and Detroit companies owned by Entrepreneurs of Color for the past 20 years. We have provided over $69 million dollars in loans to these important Detroit businesses. Our newest fund, the Entrepreneur of Color Loan Fund, “EOC Fund”, a source of business capital and business assistance for Detroit businesses owned by Entrepreneurs of Color has provided greater access to capital for these businesses. Loans range from $50,000 to $200,000 and businesses can use the funds to expand finance equipment, address short term capital needs and contractor lines of credit to EOC companies that don’t yet qualify for traditional bank financing. Our Micro Loan Fund - The BizFund can provide loans from $5,000 to $50,000. At year end 2021 $800,00 lent to small Detroit companies. 94 % Black owned companies. 65% Black women owned companies. As of December 2021 the EOC Loan Fund provided over $12 million dollars’ in loans to Detroit EOC companies. 59% were made to EOC women owned companies and 70% of the loans were made to EOC companies located in Detroit neighborhoods outside of downtown proper and Midtown. Thanks to the hard work of our EOC companies this capital has helped create over 920 new jobs for Detroit residents. DDF is proud to salute the EOC loan customers featured in this issue and in other recent news articles: The Lip Bar- Melissa Butler • Lush Yummies - Jennifer Lyles Cooking With Que - Quiana “Que” Broden Benkari Plumbing - Adrian Bennett • Power Lighting and Technology - Angel Paris Yum Village - Godwin lhentage • C&T Holdings - Kyra Jefferson VMX Waste Management - Vicki Lewis We are open for business. We want to “Help You Get There”. www.detroitdevelopmentfund.com 24 BLAC • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLACdetroit.com

Your Fit

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We carry intimates in sizes XXS-10X, bras in band sizes 28-56, and cup sizes AA-O.

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BLACdetroit.com • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLAC 25

DISCOVER By Bryan Shelmon

DID SOMEBODY SAY BAECATION? OUT OF THE COUNTRY LUXURY TRAVEL FOR COUPLES It’s time for you and your partner to enjoy the finer things in life with luxury travel. Experience private island destinations with upscale amenities, retreats to a remote paradise for complete privacy, and other activities for two like a couple's spa or a chef-prepared date night dinner. Update your bucket list with these luxury travel destinations abroad that are perfect for a couple’s getaway.

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND

SANTORINI, GREECE

MALLORCA, SPAIN

Beautiful views of the snowy Swiss Alps surround Switzerland’s largest ski resort town seen from the scenic Glacier Express train ride. Davos invites couples to stay at luxurious, five-star, ski resort accommodations with upscale amenities for two and world-class runs at Parsenn. During the summer, climb aboard your boat and sail on Lake Davos for waterfront sightseeing accompanied by dinner.

Revel in the beautiful white cliffside vistas in Santorini with buildings capped with domes as blue as the Aegean Sea that they overlook. This luxurious Greek island offers stunning villas for witnessing one of the world’s most beautiful sunsets. Then, explore the exclusive culinary and nightlife scene flourishing within Oia Village.

The lush Mallorca landscape welcomes couples to experience the beauty of Spain’s Balearic Islands. Remote coves offer pristine beaches sloping gently into the warm Mediterranean Sea. Spend time admiring the 17th century architecture of buildings like the Santa Maria Cathedral in the capital, Palma. Escape to remote citrus farms to taste fresh produce or treat yourself to a couple’s wine tasting at the local wineries.

26 BLAC • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLACdetroit.com

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO

BALI, INDONESIA

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

While crowds flock to the resort-lined beaches at Cabo San Lucas, opt for a luxury couple’s trip to the neighboring San Jose del Cabo. Just 20-minutes from the busy tourist area, you’ll find yourself in a tranquil atmosphere exuding the best of Mexican culture. Treat yourself to traditional wellness remedies at the all-inclusive Le Bland Spa Resort. Enjoy trendy, artisanal tacos crafted at La Lupita, or take a sightseeing boat ride to see dolphins en route to Lover’s Beach.

Luxury villas are all the rave in Bali, where couples get pampered with lush jungle views, cool breezes from your open-air suites, and sandy beaches steps away from your accommodation. Feast your eyes on the fire dance shows, showcasing the rich Balinese culture, at Pura Luhur Uluwatu before indulging in culinary delights served at waterfront restaurants lining the bay.

Cape Town’s captivating allure entices couples seeking a luxury getaway to South Africa. Wake up to views of Table Mountain seen from your five-star accommodations at Tintswalo Atlantic. Then, browse for the perfect evening outfit at upscale boutique shops lining the V&A Waterfront to prepare for a classy champagne sunset cruise near Africa’s southernmost point.

KUDADOO, MALDIVES

ARUBA, CARIBBEAN

Splurge on your own private island for the ultimate couple’s luxury vacation. Kukadoo Maldives is one of more than 1,200 private islands accessible via private jet charter. Touchdown on your private island paradise where five-star hospitality services await your every demand, cozy accommodations lure you in for rest and relaxation, and surreal views of the Indian Ocean stretching endlessly towards the horizon bask you in splendor.

Aruba is the Caribbean’s crown jewel island and a hotspot for luxury vacations. Modern ocean-view villas and all-inclusive resorts offer plenty of accommodation options for visiting couples. You’ll encounter colorful Dutch-colonial-style buildings lining the L.G. Smith Boulevard in Oranjestad housing high-fashion shopping boutiques like Louis Vuitton and Gucci. Head to Surfside Beach, where the soft, white sand meets the clear, turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

BLACdetroit.com • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLAC 27

BLACK EXCELLENCE: HOW AFRICAN AMERICAN INVENTORS CHANGED THE WORLD The Industrial Revolution began in the early 1800’s and marked changes in our social, cultural, and economic conditions in the United States. Widely considered one of the most innovative eras in world history, the African American contribution to this period is staggering. Black inventors led major advances in agriculture, transportation, communications, manufacturing, and electricity that fueled rapid economic growth. The Brookings Institution recently determined that “during this time, 87% of inventions were traced to people born in the United States, and of those 2.7% of the U.S. total were invented by Black Americans, which is a larger

share than nearly every immigrant group.” By that estimation, African Americans received just under 50,000 total patents between 1870 and 1940. From 1821, when Thomas Jennings becoming Ì i wÀÃÌ ƂvÀ V> Ƃ iÀ V> Ì ÀiVi Ûi > «>Ìi Ì for “dry scouring”, the model for modern-day dry cleaning to ophthalmologist Dr. Patricia >Ì Ì i wÀÃÌ ƂvÀ V> Ƃ iÀ V> vi > i ` VÌ À to receive a medical patent in the USA for developing the treatment of cataracts using a laser in 1988, African American ingenuity has impacted everyday lives and changed our world.

In honor of Black history month, we are giving center stage to both famous and little-known inventors whose brilliance is still shining through.

28 BLAC • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLACdetroit.com

Henry Blair invented the mechanical crop planter

Photo Credit: ThoughtCo

1834

1872 Photo Credit: ThoughtCo

Elijah McCoy invented the automatic lubricator for oiling the steam engines of locomotives and ships, 1874: the folding ironing board,

Photo Credit: ThoughtCo

Lewis H. Latimer innovated Ì ÃÌÀ> ` V>ÀL w > i Ì making long-lasting electric light bulbs possible.

1881

1884 Photo Credit: USPTO

and the lawn sprinkler in 1899

Õ`Þ 7° ,ii` LiV> i Ì i wÀÃÌ African American woman to receive a patent for her creation of a dough kneader and roller. Photo Credit: USPTO

John W. Outlaw patented Ì i wÀÃÌ ÀÃiÃ i°

1898

Photo Credit: ThoughtCo

Madam C.J. Walker develops a hair straightening method and creates one v Ì i ÃÌ ÃÕVViÃÃvÕ V Ã iÌ VÃ wÀ Ã in the nation.

1907 Photo Credit: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

Nathaniel Alexander created Ì i wÀÃÌ v ` } V > À

1911

Photo Credit: USPTO

1914

Photo Credit: Fotosearch / Stringer / Getty Images

Garrett T. Morgan patents the gas mask called the Safety Hood and Smoke Protector and, in

1923: Ì

i wÀÃÌ ÌÀ>vwV Ã } > Ü Ì > Ü>À } } Ì

1966

Detail of Marie Van Brittan Brown’s home security ÃÞÃÌi `iÃ } 1°-° *>Ìi Ì > ` /À>`i >À "vwVi

>À i 6> À ÌÌ> À Ü Ûi Ìi` Ì i wÀÃÌ i security system. Brown’s closed-circuit invention laid the foundation for modern security systems in use today.

1969

George Carruthers invented an "Image Converter" which was used by NASA in the 1972 Apollo £È y } Ì Ì V>«ÌÕÀi >}iÃ Ì >Ì revealed the mysteries of space.

BLACdetroit.com • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLAC 29

HEALTHY MOMS. STRONG BABIES.

Every baby deserves the best possible start. We are fighting for the health of moms and babies because it makes the future brighter for us all.

MARCHOFDIMES.ORG 30 BLAC • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLACdetroit.com

FEATURES

CELEBRATION OF BLAC LOVE THROUGH THE LENS OF 4 COUPLES.

By Blake O. Benberry

“Nothing Even Matters.” So powerfully delivered by Ms. Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo. It’s something about that song that sends me to one of the most delicate, yet strengthening places on earth.

These buildings could drift out to sea. Some natural catastrophe. Still, there's no place I'd rather be. Cause nothing even matters to me.

- Lauryn Hill

I'm an eyewitness to Black love as a descendant of partnerships through generations of my family legacy. I am a product of a 30year marriage. A love that has endured mountains and valleys and continues to evolve and conquer. There is nothing comparable to finding The One or allowing The One to find you. Through all of life's greatest experiences, falling in love ranks at the very top of the list. However, staying in love requires longterm commitment, sacrifice, and devotion. And for these four couples who have shared their love stories, the common thread that weaves through all their journeys is to recommit daily and build a practice of gratitude to serve and love one another for as long as they could.

BLACdetroit.com • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLAC 31

FEATURES

32 BLAC • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLACdetroit.com

The Stewart’s: A Decade of Resilience and Unquestionable Respect. Ten years ago, Tiffany and Johnny were living through a difficult and challenging time. Johnny was going through a divorce. Tiffany, meanwhile, had experienced a second failed marriage and was trying to overcome infertility issues. Focusing on her solitude and her commitment to therapy, Tiffany would occasionally hop on a hotline to converse and engage with others. As advised by her therapist, she was not going to date. She simply needed someone to talk to sometimes. That someone turned out to be Johnny. In the subsequent decades and as Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, Tiffany and Johnny shared their advice on taking a risk on love and remaining strong as partners through all of life's challenges. T: Johnny has always been consistent. He has always shown effort. In the first few years of our marriage, it felt like an attack on our marriage because of different issues. After experiencing further miscarriages, I was going to give up on my dream of having a child. But, through it all, Johnny has always been Johnny. He does whatever it takes and puts me first to be strong for our entire family. As they've built and rebuilt, restarted, and continued to chase one goal after the next while serving their extended families, the two always place the Stewart legacy first.

T: Our story is everything we live for. The hardest part I have always faced in relationships is losing myself. I did not want to lose myself again. I realized that I couldn't keep relying on my past experiences to define my future. So, I say to all women looking for love, take a deeper look in the mirror. Your unconscious mind has to agree with the rest of your being. I'm more solidified in my role as a wife and as a woman because I know I can always be myself with Johnny. J: You take what you have and work with it every day. You continuously show regard for that person. Johnny, the house chef, starts reciting their family mantra. Tiffany instantly joins in, and they say in accord, "The Stewarts don't worry about anything. We pray about everything." Tiffany closes the conversation by suggesting that others fall in love in the way you need and know your purpose in life. T: I began declaring what I wanted for my marriage, and I've never stopped. J: Out of love, I moved to Detroit for this woman, and I am in love with her more and more every day.

J: We don't need anyone but each other. No matter what comes against us, we bounce back. They tell me their daughter often asks her parents how she became a Stewart.

THREE LESSONS FROM THE STEWARTS: 1. Fall in love with yourself and apply that same love to be shared with your mate. The greatest gift is love.

2. Be pleasant, stay committed, and make it enjoyable. Through the storms of life, hold on to your mate, and let God surround your union with protection. Pray about everything. Worry about nothing. 3.Handle changes through respect and communication. Listen and love unconditionally.

BLACdetroit.com • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLAC 33

FEATURES

34 BLAC • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLACdetroit.com

Soon-to-Be Mr. Larry Bryant-Burgess and Mr. Rasean Burgess-Bryant: On the ride of their lives. Soon-to-Be Mr. Larry Bryant-Burgess and Mr. Rasean Burgess-Bryant: On the ride of their lives

R: Our test was asking ourselves, "Are we going to grow together or not?"

Detroit natives, Larry and Rasean, are approaching their first decade of love as a newly engaged couple in Los Angeles, California. As businessmen who live for sunny skies, good vibes, and world-traveling, the two anticipate the upcoming day when they will give each other their names and continue building their future.

When asked about what helped them succeed past that difficult stretch, Larry points at, with no hesitation, his appreciation for his soon-to-be husband's way of handling things.

Even during two years in separate states, they never let their spark dwindle. As Larry became acclimated to his new career in the hospitality industry, Rasean became just as acquainted with California through his constant visits to spend time with Larry on every holiday break and as often as possible. During their time apart, they remained in sync.

beyond victimization after being deeply hurt.

L: During that time, Sean was able to work through and As for what Rasean needed from Larry in return:

R: I needed him to be 100 percent transparent with me. I needed his compassion, openness, and vulnerability to move forward.

The Midwest raised them, but the West Coast helped them evolve in their individualities, and it helped them strengthen and protect each other as men and as life partners.

They did: They went back to their roots and remembered why they belonged to each other.

While only in their early 30s, the two have both endured and conquered trials. Seeing how mindful they were with one another as they each shared parts of their love story, it's evident the other is the highest priority in each of their lives. Love exudes as they share even the uncomfortable moments of their story: as they fought to stay in California through every challenge.

love him. Certain issues simply weren't worth the lasting impact.

R: We knew we needed each other. L: Through the trials, we have never given up. At our

lowest times, we held on to the little threads of love that we had. There was a time when I had to regain Sean's trust.

L: It's my job to let him know and show him how much I

Following Larry and Rasean's marriage proposal in their hometown of Detroit, the dynamic duo is looking ahead to their wedding day that will bring together the people who have motivated, supported and celebrated their love along the way.

THEIR LOVE SONGS: "Part II" by JayZ and Beyoncé "Love Crimes" by Frank Ocean

BLACdetroit.com • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLAC 35

FEATURES

36 BLAC • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLACdetroit.com

The Morgan’s Partners in Life and Business Donnie Morgan and Dr. Dayna Morgan spend significantly more time in the kitchen. than most married couples. That’s because this couple unites as creators of health-conscious meals and co-owners of Kitchen Strong, a premium lifestyle kitchen essentials brand. The year 2010 was their beginning. A Step Show at Aretha Franklin Amphitheater — formerly Chene Park — where the alpha woman and kappa man first crossed paths. Donnie was one of the event judges. Dayna, who was getting off work, was brought to the show reluctantly by her homegirl. It was at the show where Dayna caught Donnie's attention, but at the after-party at Club Honey was where

Dayna approached Donnie. With birthdays only one day apart, there was a bigger plan for Donnie and Dayna. Their first date led to a marriage proposal six years later — in the privacy of their own home. DM: Although Dayna is very much of a social person, and we both come from large families, I decided to make things official in a way that felt most comfortable. DM: It was perfect. Beyond the kitchen, The Morgans remain strong through distinct principles. DM: I do my best always to be mindful of what benefits us both. Not just one of us.

Dr. DM: I believe in giving each other plenty of grace and space and room to ourselves where necessary.

Dr. Morgan emphasizes that, even as husband and wife, they don't necessarily prescribe to specific rules such as not going to bed angry. Understanding that they each require their own ways and methods of moving forward, she says some days, it's OK when they don't reach an agreement. The point is to come together and meet in the middle once both are comfortable. DM: It's all about evolution through the souls. Dr. DM: He is my person.

If Advice For Partners In Business: Just do it! This is the time to live out our dreams. Do not delay them. We suggest getting a good couple’s therapist. Communication is key in a marriage and just as important with your business partner. Even if you are mad at your partner, the business must go on. You have to put your personal issues aside. It can also be very rewarding to build something with your life partner, thus creating a legacy for your family.

BLACdetroit.com • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLAC 37

FEATURES

38 BLAC • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLACdetroit.com

THE FORD’S: Dignifying Ruby. Through an aspect of symbolism, a marriage of over 40 years is considered the ruby anniversary as the gem represents eternal flame. Since September 26, 1976, the flame between Arthur and Pamela Ford has continued to burn. The Ford's swept each other off their feet when Pam Kelly, a college student at Wayne State University, introduced her best friend to Arthur Ford. PF: Arthur was friends and classmates with my best girlfriend, Bev, in high school. She convinced me to go to a party with her. I first noticed how well he could dance, and I hoped he didn't ask me. I was intimidated. AF: I noticed the black suit she was wearing. The night wasn't going to end without me saying hi. They both subscribe to the theory that men are from Mars and women are from Venus. Therefore, they advise creating a relationship rooted in respect through personal space,

trust, and loyalty. Through that granted space is where the Fords have found a vibrant recipe crystallized by four decades of blissful work. PF: In any situation, Arthur is going to show up for me. I would pick him as a friend time and time again." AF: It (marriage) was a collective discussion. We decided we were building a future together. PF: It was nice falling in love. Over four decades later, The Fords are now firmly settled in their individualities and nestled in their roles as husband and wife. Furthermore, their roles as parents and grandparents sets an example of unwavering love for future generations. Parting has never been an option for the Fords through any challenge faced.

The Ford’s Greatest Lessons

PF: If you don't acknowledge the

differences, you cannot succeed in marriage. Marriage is a loving business. Arthur and I determined that we have the same common goals and were prepared to do the work.

AF: We respect each other's space.

Through that space, we have always been good. When she's happy, the family’s happy.

BLACdetroit.com • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLAC 39

Black Love FEATURES

transcends.

May we always know it exists and that it begins with simply opening ourselves to the possibility and defining love on our terms. May we feel safe in it. May it be kind, patient, and gracious with us. May we take pride in our Black love, be captured by its limitless and priceless gifts, and may we allow it to help us move mountains as a people.

40 BLAC • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLACdetroit.com

BLAC & Umoja Fine Arts presents

"Black Love"

Archival Limited Edition Prints available 100 pound cotton paper

16" x 24" - 150 ea. S/N (Signed Numbered)

$350 each

-Rosemary Summers, "Black Love"

22" x 33" - 50 ea. A/P (Artist Proof)

$600 each

Archival Pigment prints can be purchased at: Umojafinearts.com Umoja Fine Arts

16250 Northland Dr Suite 102 Southfield, MI 48075 (248) 773-9008

BLACdetroit.com • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLAC 41

Why do Black lives matter

in health care?

For Dr. Teniesha Wright-Jones, D.O., representation and understanding are as important as “do no harm” when it comes to a community’s health – especially Black and minority communities. Dr. Wright-Jones, Ascension Medical Group physician and program director for family residency medicine at Ascension Providence Hospital in Southfield, says, “For truly transformative health care, patients need to have someone they can identify with and trust. When little Black kids see doctors that look like them, doing well and giving back, they know this career path really is a possibility for them.”

strongly in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Dr. Wright-Jones says, “I wanted to do primary care in a communitysetting similar to the ones I received care in growing up. There are a lot of reasons why I decided to come to Southfield, but top of the list, was to serve the African American patients in this area. I wanted to become part of addressing disparities by identifying, understanding, and engaging with the community.”

“Of course Black lives matter, but not just in terms of social justice. In order for all lives to matter, Black ones have to matter in areas like education and health care, too,” Dr. WrightJones says. “The COVID crisis hit us twice as hard as anyone else. I want to do my part in dismantling implicit bias and barriers that may hold us back, in particular health care disparities.”

Over 40% of the people who have died due to COVID-19 in Michigan were African Americans, while Black people make up only 14% of the state’s population. In the wake of COVID-19, which has disproportionately affected the Black community nationwide, and weeks of protests in response to the death of George Floyd and others at the hands of police, Ascension came out

42 BLAC • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLACdetroit.com

Dr. Wright-Jones championed the White Coats for Black Lives rally that happened on June 5. Hundreds of doctors, residents, med students and hospital staff across the country and at Ascension Providence Southfield and Ascension Providence ParkNovi gathered for a demonstration that featured various speakers, presentations and, for eight minutes and 46 seconds, they knelt in silence in honor of George Floyd and all the other Black Americans lost to police brutality and disease.

Ascension Michigan has several communitybased campuses throughout metro Detroit and they are committed to caring for all people with special attention paid

to those most vulnerable. They offer financial counseling and assistance to help address any concerns patients or families may have regarding their care. “It’s really about giving back and being an active part of the change,” Dr. Wright-Jones says. “Ascension works to understand the disparities that affect the communities in which we serve, and we take them into account every single day. Starting small with even just one patient a day will make a big change.”

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BLACdetroit.com • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLAC 43

TASTE OF SOUL Food for the soul, and excellent cocktails! There's nothing like a great meal or drink to bring people together. I know you want your next brunch or dinner party to be an unforgettable experience. So, serve up these tasty recipes!

BLAC

AND

Food 44 BLAC • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLACdetroit.com

Dran Chicken Cobb With A Twist

k By Erikka Yvonne

Everything Soul Egg Rolls

Cajun Shrimp And Grits

PREP TIME: 30 min. | TOTAL TIME: 1 hr 10 min. SERVINGS: 6

INGREDIENTS: 5 thick slices bacon, chopped 1–1½ pounds extra large or jumbo shrimps, peeled and deveined 1 teaspoon Cajun salt 2 teaspoon garlic, minced 1 teaspoon smoked paprika ½ cup red bell pepper, diced 2 tablespoon parsley, chopped 2 green onions, thinly sliced ¼ cup broth or stock, adjust quantity to preference ½ lemon (optional) salt and pepper

INGREDIENTS: 1 medium-sized sweet potato, skinned and chopped into small pieces 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon brown sugar 10–15 teaspoon mac and cheese; use left overs or prepare beforehand 10–15 teaspoon collard greens with smoked turkey, drained; use leftovers or prepare beforehand 1 small red pepper diced 10 egg roll wrappers INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Make your mac and cheese, and collard greens with smoked turkey to your liking. Add any other ingredients of your choosing. 2. Skin and chop the sweet potatoes into small pieces. 3. Place the chopped sweet potatoes in a bowl. Add in your brown sugar and olive oil while stirring to ensure that each piece is coated. 4. Place the coated sweet potatoes in an air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10–12 minutes or until they are soft. 5. Place your egg roll wrapper on a plate with a corner facing you. 6. Place 1–2 teaspoons of each filling onto the egg roll sheet: mac and cheese, greens with smoked turkey, sweet potatoes, and anything else you’ve chosen as filling. 7. Fold the sides, and roll up the egg roll like a burrito. 8. Take a bit of water to ensure the egg roll flap sticks to the egg roll and remains closed. You can use a little collard green juice, too. 9. Place your soul rolls in your air fryer. Sprinkle olive oil over your egg rolls for best results. Cook your soul rolls in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5–6 minutes. NOTE: If you prefer to have a little bit of everything in each bite, stack the fillings on top of each other. Otherwise, lay the fillings next to each other in a line close to the corner of the egg roll wrapper facing you. Be careful not to overstuff the egg rolls to make rolling them easier.

PREP TIME: 30 min. | SERVINGS: 1

GRITS: 2 cups water 3 cups milk, or sub with water 1 bay leaf salt to taste 1 cup quick grits 3–4 tablespoon unsalted butter 1–2 cups sharp white cheddar cheese, pref erably smoked INSTRUCTIONS: CAJUN SHRIMP 1. In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté bacon until brown and crisp. This may take 3–5 minutes. 2. Remove bacon from skillet and transfer to a plate. Save the bacon drippings left on the pan. 3. Add about a tablespoon of oil or butter to the pan, followed by the shrimp. Season with Cajun salt, and sauté the shrimp for 3–4 minutes. Set aside. 4. Add garlic, paprika, bell pepper, parsley, and green onions to the pan. Add the broth. Cook for 3 minutes. 5. Add shrimp to the pan. Add the lemon juice, if desired, and adjust to taste. Throw in the crisp bacon, and season with salt and pepper. 6. Remove the mix from the heat and serve over your grits. GRITS 7. Start by adding water, milk, bay leaf, and salt to a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil. 8. Gradually whisk in the grits until you have added them all to the pot. Keep stirring with a whisk to prevent lumps. You may need to remove the saucepan from heat while getting rid of lumps. 9. Reduce heat and cook grits at a bare simmer, covered, frequently stirring, and until water is fully absorbed and the grits thicken. This will take about 15 minutes. 10. Then remove grits from heat; add butter and cheese. Stir with a whisk until the cheese melts. 11. Assemble the dish. Place the grits at the bottom of a shallow bowl, then the Cajun shrimp and sauce on top. Enjoy piping hot!

Fried Okra INGREDIENTS: ¾ cup cornmeal ¼ cup flour 1 tablespoon granulated garlic 1 tablespoon onion powder ½–1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon white or black pepper 1 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste 1 cup buttermilk 1 egg 1–2 pounds okra, cut in pieces ¼–½ teaspoon dried thyme, optional REMOULADE SAUCE: 1 cup mayonnaise 1½ teaspoon minced garlic ½ lemon 3 tablespoon creole mustard 1 teaspoon hot sauce, adjust to taste 2 tablespoon relish 1 green onion, finely chopped 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce ½ teaspoon creole seasoning, optional salt to taste INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Mix all ingredients for the remoulade sauce in a medium bowl. Keep refrigerated. 2. Preheat a deep-fryer or large sauce pan to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour vegetable oil halfway. 3. In a large bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, garlic, onion powder, cayenne, thyme, white pepper. 4.Mix buttermilk and eggs. Add salt to taste. Set aside. 5.Dip okra in the buttermilk mixture and lightly dip it into the cornmeal-flour mixture. 6. Fry coated okra, a few at a time, until slightly brown, and crispy. Remove from the fryer with a slotted spoon, and place on a cookie rack to ensure crispness. continued on page 48 BLACdetroit.com • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLAC 45

FOOD AND DRANK

Deviled Eggs SERVINGS: 6 INGREDIENTS: 6 large, hard-boiled eggs, peeled 3 tablespoon mayonnaise ½–1 teaspoon Creole seasoning, adjust to taste ½–1 teaspoon hot sauce, adjust to taste 1½ tablespoon sweet pickle relish 1 teaspoon mustard salt and pepper, to taste INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Place eggs in a medium saucepan, and cover with cold water. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, cover the pot and remove from heat. Do not lift the lid until it’s time to remove the eggs. Let it sit for 10–12 minutes. Remove and crack one egg open just to make sure. 2. Remove the egg yolks and place it in a medium mixing bowl. Add mayonnaise, creole seasoning, hot sauce, salt, sweet pickle relish, mustard and pepper. Whisk the ingredients until creamy and smooth. 3. Spoon egg yolk mixture into a small resealable plastic bag. Cut a small corner from the bottom of the bag. Pipe the filling into egg-white halves.

Thief In The Night Nyak Sidecar Drink INGREDIENTS: 2 ounces Nyak cognac ¾ ounce orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec) ¾ ounce Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed 1 lemon sugar for rim 1 lemon peel for garnish INSTRUCTIONS: 1. If desired, cut lemon in half and rub on the rim of the glass. 2. Dip glass in sugar and set aside. 3. In a cocktail shaker, add ingredients with ice and shake until cold. 4. Strain into a glass and garnish with a lemon peel.

INGREDIENTS: 2 ounces Den of Thieves chocolate whiskey 1 ounces amaro 3 dashes of black walnut bitters INSTRUCTIONS: 1. In a cocktail shaker, add ingredients with ice and shake until cold. 2. Strain into a glass. Serve chilled.

The Bayrita TOTAL TIME: 10 Min. INGREDIENTS: 2 ounces E. Cuarenta Reposado Tequila 2 ounces orange juice 1 ounce lime juice 1 ounce amaretto Lime wheel, garnish Sugar or salt, optional INSTRUCTIONS:

1. If desired, cut a lime in half and rub along the rim of the glass. 2. Dip glass into sugar or salt and set aside. 3. In a cocktail shaker, add all ingredients with ice and shake. 4. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and garnish with a lime wheel.

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Sisters Grand Sangria Rose PREP TIME: 5 min. SERVINGS: 1 INGREDIENTS:

INSTRUCTIONS:

8.5 ounces Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge 1 bottle McBride Sisters Black Girl Magic Rosé 8 ounces cranberry juice 1 cup ice

1. Pour all ingredients in a 2 L pitcher and stir. 2. Garnish with raspberries and strawberries.

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ACCESS ]

FEBRUARY 2022

We are feeling the history and love [ SUNRISE DETROIT ] SPOLITE

Sunrise Detroit is a curated space for people to receive spiritual and physical healing through spoken word, art, planted-based cuisine, specialty cocktails, coffee, pastries, and most importantly community. They hand-pick each vendor and they welcome dancing, musicians, jewelry, comedians and whoever else wants to add to the vibe they are creating. Feb 12 • eventbrite.com

[ DEARBORN BRIDAL EXPO ]

FORD COMMUNITY & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Grab your mom, grandma, aunties, and bridesmaids and head over to the Dearborn Bridal Expo! Featuring flowers, bridal gowns, food and more! Brides will save money with “show only” discounts from every exhibitor, free gift bags for brides and even a chance to win a $200 Visa gift card. Feb 13 • eventbrite.com

[ KING TUTANKHAMUN: “WONDERFUL THINGS” FROM THE PHARAOH’S TOMB ] CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM

2022 marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is showcasing his dynasty. Divided into five sections the exhibit showcases an introduction to ancient egypt, the archeological discovery, the private pharaoh, the public pharaoh, and the royal burial. The installation features more than 120 replicas of Pharaoh Tut’s possessions. Jan 17 - Aug 22 • detroittakeover.com

[ DISNEY PRESENTS THE LION KING ] DETROIT OPERA HOUSE

Lions, Tigers and Simba Oh My! The Lion King is back bringing the serengeti to life in Detroit. Winner of 6 Tony Awards, the Lion King isn’t a show you want to miss! See all of your favorites from rafiki, nala, mufasa, scar and more! Jan 27- Feb 20 • broadwayindetroit.com

[ 70’S LOVE JAM ] LITTLE CAESARS ARENA

Fall in love over and over again at the 70’s Love Jam at the Fox Theatre. The show will feature performances by the r&b legends The New Stylistics, The Whispers, Enchantment and Howard Hewett. Feb 12 • 313presents.com

48 BLAC • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLACdetroit.com

[ CHANTE MOORE WITH SPECIAL GUEST BLAQUE ] SOUNDBOARD

Chante’s got a man and he’s in Detroit. See the beautiful and talented Chante Moore sing all of her favorite hits as she shares the stage with her special guests singing group Blaque. Feb 6th • soundboarddetroit.com

[ TO STEVIE, WITH LOVE] FORD THEATRE

“To Stevie, With Love,” is a jazz inspired tribute to Detroit's very own Stevie Wonder. The showcase will have vocal and instrumental rendition of his iconic and imaginative songs. With the help of the Grammy Award winning artist Terri Lyne Carrington the sounds will take you on a journey. Feb 26 • thecarrcenter.org

[ NEIMAN MARCUS 2022 LUNAR NEW YEAR EVENT ] SOMERSET COLLECTION

Grab your friends and join Neiman Marcus while they provide an evening of live entertainment, food, drinks and fashion! The night will start with cocktails, followed by a runway fashion show, silent auction, shopping and more! Feb 24 • eventbrite.com

[ RAGS $2 RICHES 4TH ANNUAL GALA ]

The thrifted fashion show extravaganza is back for the fourth year to bring you a one of a kind experience. The show will not only bring you amazing fashions, it will also have finger food, drinks and more. The dress code is ALL BLACK. Feb 27 • eventbrite.com

[ SHIELD OF THE NILE REFLECTIONS ] DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS

Detroit’s very own artist, advocate, and educator Shireley Woodson is showcasing her solo exhibition Shield of the Nile Reflections. The art showcases her mystical, bold paintings honoring the historic beliefs that the Nile river has transformative and nurturing benefits for people of African descent. Dec 18 - June 12 • dia.org

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SEEN

Out & About STAGE PRESENCE:

50 BLAC • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLACdetroit.com

A LOOK AT DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM

Seen On! Social

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And celebrate Black History Month with us throughout February. See the complete lineup at dia.org/blackhistorymonth.

52 BLAC • FEBRUARY 2022 • BLACdetroit.com