The Urban Voice July/August 2023 Edition

DABO Selected as Finalist for RWJF Culture of Health Prize

Community Improvement Efforts Contribute to Progress in National Prize Selection Process

DETROIT—The Detroit Association of Black Organizations (DABO) was chosen as a finalist for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize. As a 2023 finalist, DABO is one step closer to the national Prize, which celebrates communities at the forefront of advancing a fair and just opportunity for health by collaborating to build positive solutions to barriers that have created unequal opportunities for health and wellbeing.

DABO joins 13 other finalist communities from across the country. Winners will be announced this fall.

The other 2023 finalists include:

●Adams County, CO, Austin, TX, Baltimore, MD, Dayton, OH, Evanston, IL , Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Reservation, HoustonAcres Homes, Sunnyside, Kashmere & Trinity Gardens, TX, King County Community Partnerships Network, WA, Los Angeles County, CA, North Nashville, TN, Tacoma, WA, Ramsey County, MN, Zuni Pueblo.

Reverend Horace Sheffield III

The RWJF supports community-based organizations like DABO, that reflect and reach those who are most in need of illness prevention and health promotion. This is equity in action,” said Reverend Horace Sheffield III, CEO, Detroit Association of Black Organizations.

“The community leaders and organizations being considered for the RWJF Culture of Health Prize demonstrate the power of collaboration in ensuring everyone in America has what they need to live their healthiest lives possible,” said Richard Besser, MD, RWJF president and CEO. “We look forward to engaging with each finalist community being considered for the Prize to learn more about how they are making lasting transformations for all to thrive.”

“We are strengthened by our collective experience and partnerships.”

DABO Selected as Finalist for RWJF Culture of Health Prize - Continued from page 1

To get to this stage in the process, communities had to showcase the breadth of work and collaboration happening across organizations to improve health and wellbeing for residents. To become a finalist, DABO had to demonstrate how its efforts reflect the six Prize criteria:

●Addressing structural racism and other structural injustices in order to create conditions that advance health equity.

●Committing to sustainable policy, systems, environmental and cultural changes.

●Working alongside partners across sectors, and elevating the expertise and solutions held by people with firsthand experiences of health inequities.

●Engaging in cultural work that envisions and advances a more just future.

●Making the most of available community resources and fostering sustainability.

●Measuring and sharing qualitative and quantitative indicators of progress in culturally relevant ways.

If selected as a Prize winner, DABO will be given a $250,000 prize and a national platform to share its story and lessons learned with the country. The community will join a network of other national and community change leaders, including past Prize-winning communities.

To learn about the work of the 50 previous Prize winners, visit www.rwjf.org/prize.

DABO - Since 1979, the Detroit Association of Black Organizations (DABO) has uplifted, unified, and empowered Detroit’s African American community through various programs, initiatives, and events. DABO is a 501c3 charitable organization with a federation of over 130 black, and non-black organizations working to build community unity.

DR. LAVONNE M. SHEFFIELD BRIDGE CENTER - Dedicated in 2023 - The Dr. LaVonne M. Sheffield Bridge Center has two new partnerships bringing more educational opportunities to Detroiters. DABO joined forces with Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) and with Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) in Raleigh, North Carolina to bring its third HBCU Access Hub to Detroit. The Bridge Center is available to host various events. For more information contact Melissa McDaniel (mmcdaniel@dabodetroitinc.com), or call 313-491-0003.

DABO’S 2023- 2024 Community Empowerment Speakers Series

DABO’s newly established Community Empowerment Speakers Series has been a phenomenal success in 2023 with such speakers as celebrity chef Ameer Natson, the Black Eagle Joe Madison, fighting Senator Nina Turner, and rapper MC Serchand. The remaining line of speakers up for 2023, are Civil Rights Atty. Ben Crump, Black Lives Matter founder Brittany Packnard Cunningham, scholar Dr. Cornel West, activist and actress Erika Alexander, and newly added Detroit native Attorney General Keith Ellison.

We anticipate that the 2024 DABO Community Empowerment Speakers Series will be even better in 2024 with such speakers as Detroit’s own Donnie Simpson, Harvard Medical School Professor Dr. Fatima Stanford, and Amazon Labor Union President Chris Smalls.

Donnie Simpson is radio, television and BET royalty.

Dr. Fatima Stanford & Rev. Sheffield

Chris Smalls, President, Amazon Labor Union

DABO Honors the Life, Legacy, & Work Of

MOTHER JOANN WATSON & DR. CALVIN O. BUTTS

DABO honors in this edition Rev. JoAnn Watson. Ms. Wastson was the first woman to serve as the executive director of the Detroit NAACP, and the only organization that dabo’s constitution requires us to support. She served as a Detroit City Council member for 10 years and served until 2013, was a former delegate to the 2001 United Nations World Conference on Racism, and assisted our CEO Rev. Horace L. Sheffield, III, and his family in developing his father’s archives now housed at the Reuther Library at Wayne State University. Rev. Sheffield said “When you think of those women who were fighters for freedom and fairness in Detroit the indomitable is among them. Her voice will be missed and her firm fierceness will be a force hard to replace.”

Dr. Calvin Otis Butts III (July 19, 1949 –October 28, 2022) was an American academic administrator and a senior pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church, which historically was the largest black church in New York City. He led the Abyssinian Development Corporation, which focuses on Harlem, and was president of the State University of New York College at Old Westbury.

Dr. Butts, who was also a mentor of Rev. Horace L. Sheffield, III, was also along with Rev. Sheffield, Debra Fraser Howze, Hon. Ralphael Warnock, and the Rev. Al Sharpton the National Co-Chairs of Choose Healthy Life that presently funds ten churches in Detroit.

DABO’s and Mothering Justice Voting Project Comedy Show

On Friday June 30, 2023 over 250 turned out for the “This Ain’t No Joke You Got To Vote” Comedy show sponsored by DABO and the Mothering Justice Voting Project led by Courtney Blake. Here are some of the pictures from that night.

For more information contact Rev. Horace Sheffield, III  at 313-491-000.

On Friday June 30, 2023 over 250 turned out for the “This Ain’t No Joke You Got To Vote” Comedy show sponsored by DABO and the Mothering Justice Voting Project led by Courtney Blake. Here are some of the pictures from that night.

Comedy Night Organizer Courtney Blake, Mothering Justice Voting Project)

Standing Left to Right: David Felton, unknown, unknown, Henry Welch, T Barb, Rev. Sheffield, Stephanie Bennett, Dr. Carolyn Carter; Seated Left to Right: Shanie D and Randio Rossario

The comedy crowd going crazy with laughter.

DABO & CHOOSE HEALTHY LIFE Launches Year Three in Detroit

DABO has been blessed to serve as the HUB for the ten Choose Healthy Life (CHL) Detroit Churches that are funded from funds we receive from the National Choose Healthy Life that Rev. Horace L. Sheffield has been a part of its administration since its foundation. CHL recently announced that the Detroit CHL have received another year of funding to cover 2023- 2024.

CHL has been extremely successful over the last few years and has even received recognition for the effectiveness of its church-based health navigation model from the CDC. “Your model of establishing in each church a full-time public health navigator… trained and charged with providing access to COVID-19 testing and vaccinations in the immediate short-term while addressing other health disparities in the long term… is a sustainable, scalable, and transferable approach to address public health disparities and inequities in the Black community… it will serve us well far beyond the pandemic.” – Dr. Rochelle Walensky, former CDC Director.

CHL is also glad to, and DABO is also pleased, to announce that the Rev. Kimberly L. Williams is the newly appointed National Executive Director of Choose Healthy Life. Rev. Williams, who was a former CHL Health Navigator Supervisor of the CHL Churches in Newark, NJ. Rev. Sheffield had the recent pleasure of spending two days with her in Washington, DC, and CHL Founder Debra Fraser Hall and CHL COO Ron Ticho, as we met on the Hill to push for more funding for our CHL churches.

CHL COO Ron Ticho & CHL Founder Debra Fraser Howze

Rev. Horace L. Sheffield, CHL Co-Chair at Health Summit in DC

Congressman Gregory Meeks, D-NY

Rev. Kimberly L. Williams, CHL National Executive Director

The American Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Held in The Bridge Center

The two classes are full of basketball legends from all levels, from college basketball coaches Coach Greg Kampe at Oakland University, Tom Izzo of Michigan State University to Harlem, New York’s flashy point guard and playground icon Pee Wee Kirkland, ESPN Basketball Analyst

Dick Vitale, and Detroit Pistons legends

Earl Lioyd, Isiah Thomas, Earl Cureton, Terry Mills, John Long, and former Harlem Globetrotter dribbling wiz Tyrone “Hollywood” Brown, just to name a few.

Some of the greatest men and women basketball icons are came to the city of Detroit Sunday, June 25th at DABO’s Bridge Center, to be enshrined in the American Basketball Hall of Fame (ABHOF). This year will be the combination of the 2022 and 2023 classes. The ABHOF has already inducted over 50 players since 2019, like former Boston Celtic Sam Jones, Harlem Globetrotter Legend Meadowlark Lemon, as well as the late great Los Angeles Laker, Kobe Bryant.

Detroit Labor & Civic Leader Rick Blocker, Leon Cohen, Ken Hollowell. Freman Hendrix, and Ethel Schwartz meet with DABO’s Founder Horace L. Sheffield, Jr.

Wayne County Executive Ed McNamara, Hon. Alms Stallworth, Dr. Kenneth Clark, researcher on Brown v. Board of Education, and Horace L. Sheffield, Jr. at the State of the Race Dinner.

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield, Actor Danny Glover, & Dr. Cornel West engaging in community canvassing.

Fannie Williams, Actor Ossie Davis, Horace L. Sheffield, Jr., Unknown, James E. Trent and Unknown Board Member.

DABO Looks Back!

S. Martin Taylor, Judge Geraldine Bledsoe, Dr. LaVonne Sheffield, & Judge Damon Keith at the Dedication of the Horace L. Sheffield, Jr. Center.

Actress Erika Alexander and Rev. Horace L. Sheffield, III, promoting QPR Suicide Prevention.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Rev. Sheffield at an On the Line Broadcast.

DABO Looks Back!

Minou Jones, Make It Count, Darrien Hudson, CEO, UWSEM, Debra Fraser Howze, CEO, Choose Healthy Life, & Mayor Duggan and at DABO Covid 10 Press Conference.

DABO Monthly UWSEM Funded Community Food Distribution

Kathryn R. Sheffield, Russell Thompkins of the Stylistics, and Dr. LaVonne Sheffield at a DABO Concert.

Meet the New Families Against Narcotics President (FAN) Detroit Chapter

The Detroit Chapter of Families Against Narcotics welcomes its newly installed Chapter President Esha Price, FNP. Ms. Price, who is an original member of the DABO founded and organized Detroit Chapter, is also the founder and operator of the Premiere Quality Health Center, Inc. located in the Sheffield Center, 12048 Grand River at Wyoming. The monthly FAN meeting is held every second Monday of every month at 6pm by zoom (meeting ID 845 1522 6235). If you or someone you know needs some assistance with someone experience a drug and alcohol problem please refer them to the monthly meeting.

Families Against Narcotics (FAN) is a community-based organization for those seeking recovery, those in recovery, family members affected by addiction, and community supporters. FAN seeks to change the face of addiction, dispel the stigma of addiction, and educate the community, as well as those affected by addiction.

Founded in 2007, Families Against Narcotics (FAN) is a grassroots organization that held their first town hall meeting in the basement of a church and continued to meet in that same location for 14 years. FAN's monthly "Forums" have grown, but they continue to be a safe place where people can face and learn about addiction from others who have had similar experiences. Thousands have attended our meetings, including families affected by addiction; concerned citizens; law enforcement; judges; health care professionals; leaders in education, business, and religion; and people in recovery.

FAN work tirelessly to educate young adults, parents, school personnel, law enforcement, judges, doctors, and other health care professionals about the dangers of misusing prescription drugs, especially painkillers. FAN has grown to more than 20 chapters throughout Michigan, including in Detroit, and offers dozens of monthly support meetings across the state.

Bedrock, Choose Healthy Life, Comerica, DABO & the Disability Network Wayne County Detroit Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday June 17th DABO, with support and sponsorship from Bedrock, Choose Healthy Life Comerica, and the Disability Network Wayne Detroit hosted a fabulous and fun filled day in observance of the Annual Federal Juneteenth National Holiday at DABO’s Bridge Center.

DABO Board Member Atty. Melvie Mathews, her daughter, and other youth enjoying the Juneteenth Celebration.

Community Residents enjoying the celebration.

DABO’s CEO, Rev. Horace L Sheffield, III, celebrating Juneteenth.

DABO CHL Staff providing health information at Juneteenth celebration.

Lauryn McKenzie Scruggs nd Rev. Sheffield, promoting COVID safety.

Rev. Sheffield’s induction into the High School Football Hall of Fame.

Just in case you didn’t know.

Dewey Tucker and Quentiss Leverette, two of DABO’s long term employees.

DABO’s organizing NABO 2024.

DABO’s Bridge Center Hosted Israel’s National Security Team

On June 7, 2023, DABO hosted fellows from the Israeli National Defense College (INDC). The INDC brought together senior leaders from across all aspects of the Israeli government, along with military officers from different ally nations (including the U.S. Marines) to study all aspects of national security. INDC is the premier senior strategic leadership course for the Israeli government. INDC is a 10-month program that examines strategic thinking using academic theory combined with hands on research. The course includes travel to three foreign countries to examine national security and domestic challenges to learn firsthand from others.

The fellows visited the Bridge Center and met with many community leaders to explore the pathways and barriers to social mobility in Detroit and to answer the questions of how do municipal, state, federal, and community organizations work together towards the goa of social mobility.

Mark C. Carter, Atty Terence Thomas, Ronald Taylor, CEO, DAAA, & Rev. Sheffield represented Detroit and the Detroit Israel talks.

The DABO Young Adult Committee, under the leadership of its founder, Anteya Robinson, and its principal staff Stephanie Bennett have really moved the Young Adult Committee in a big way. YAC meets every Second Tuesday of every month at 7 pm in the Dr. LaVonne M. Sheffield Bridge Center Library located at 9928 Grand River Avenue near Livernois. Each month YAC’s meetings include information dissemination, discussion, and food, music, and fun. If you would like to attend or join please contact Stephanie Bennett at sbennett@dabodetroitinc.com or call 313-491-0003.

These are some pictures from the Tuesday July 11, 2023 YAC event at the Bridge Center. The YAC is also looking for vendors for this event. If interested please contact Stephanie Bennett.

DABO YAC Leaders Amor Shanee, Anteya Robison, and Stephanie Bennett