January - March 2024 Edition
(313) 491-0003 12048 Grand River Avenue Detroit, MI 48204 https://dabodetroitinc.com
DABO Celebrates Black History Month Black Bottom and Paradise Valley Presentation By Ken Coleman Detroit’s lower east side is where blues great John Lee Hooker performed at Henry’s Swing Bar on Madison Street in Black Bottom strumming his guitar and voicing in his signature style spoken-word Mississippi drawl. Here, he recorded one of his popular hits, “Boogie Chillen.”
traveling its way north together with the Black migrants in the 1920s.
Paradise Valley was essentially a commercial area just north of Gratiot Avenue along Brush, Beaubien, St. Antoine, Hastings, and East Adams streets. It sat where Comerica Park and Ford Field sit today. It was It is also where Black congregations like Tabernacle home to a bowling alley, several boutique hotels, lively Baptist Church, which the Sheffield family helped to bars, a couple of swank supper clubs, and a few greasy found, Plymouth Congregational Church and others spoons. Heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis was launched their religious institutions. It is also where a business owner there. Coleman A. Young, Detroit’s first Black mayor grew up. Ken Coleman, veteran The city’s Black population skyrocketed from 5,700 in journalist and historian, 1910 to 120,000 by 1930 during the period called The will offer an interactive Great Migration. By estimates, about 350 African presentation that will American-owned businesses were located in the Black shed more light on Black Bottom and Paradise Valley area. Black Bottom was Bottom and Paradise largely a residential area, south of Gratiot and bounded Valley. It will be held at by Brush Street on the west and the Grand Trunk the Dr. LaVonne M. Railroad tracks on the east. Sheffield Bridge Center Some say the rich black soil of the original area gave Library, 9928 Grand Ave., on rise to the name Black Bottom. Yet, others have raised River questions about the possible racial origins of the name Saturday, Feb. 17th at stemming from the segregation era Black Bottom dance 12 noon. This is free and — considered to be invented in Black areas of the South, open to the public. The Detroit Association of Black Organizations is a 501c3 non-profit organization.
DABO’S Community Empowerment Speakers Series Ends 2023 with a Bang & Starts 2024 With a WOW! On Wednesday December 13, 2023, over 350 people came to hear Dr. Jamal Bryant as the final 2023 speaker for the DABO Community Empowerment Speaker Series. During 2023 we welcomed Atty. Ben Crump, the Black Eagle Joe Madison, Actress Erika Alexander, and many more.
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and DABO Board Member Laycee Horn, WDIV
Rev. Horace L. Sheffield, III, DABO’s CEO, Dr. Jamal Bryant, Speaker, & Sone’ Tramble, Moderator and DABO Board Member
Sone’ Tramble and Dr. Michael Eric Dyson.
On February 7, 2024 Atty. Corey Minor Smith will be the guest speaker for the Community Empowerment Speakers Series. Harvard Business School recognized the immense contribution Corey Minor Smith has made in leadership development when it bestowed on her a certificate for completion of its 2023 Women of Color Executive Leadership Program. Rolling Out magazine calls Corey Minor Smith a “legendary lawyer, renowned attorney, noted mental health advocate, prominent media fixture, and New York Times celebrated author.” Becoming a trained facilitator for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) paved the way for her mental health advocacy work. With a considerable national profile as a mental health and wellness advocate, Corey Minor Smith has appeared in national media in prestigious venues like nationally syndicated radio show The Breakfast Club. She has also been featured in Forbes and Rolling Out magazines. Corey Minor Smith’s consulting talents and inspirational words have also benefited Fortune 500 companies such as ViacomCBS, Xerox and iHeartMedia. January-March 2024 Edition of The Urban Voice - 2
DABO’S 2024 Community Empowerment Speakers Series Famed and renowned weight loss physician Dr. Fatime Cody Stanford will be the guest speaker on Wednesday March 20, 2024 at 6:00 pm for the Community Empowerment Speakers Series. Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, MPA, FAAP, FACP, FTOS is an obesity medicine physician scientist, educator, and policy maker at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. She is a national and internationally sought after expert in obesity medicine who bridges the intersection of medicine, public health, policy, and disparities. Dr. Stanford received her BS and MPH from Emory University as a MLK Scholar, her MD from the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine as a Stoney Scholar, and her MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government as a Zuckerman Fellow in the Harvard Center for Public Leadership. She completed her Obesity Medicine & Nutrition Fellowship at MGH/HMS after completing her internal medicine and pediatrics residency at the University of South Carolina. She has served as a health communications fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and as a behavioral sciences intern at the American Cancer Society.
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Wayne County: An Energized Team Ready to Help! by Amanda Passage Wayne County is a cornerstone of Michigan’s populace, embracing a thriving region of more than 1.8 million residents. Every day, a vast majority of these residents depend on DTE Energy for their essential gas and electricity needs. Playing a pivotal role behind the scenes is DTE’s dedicated team of regional and relationship managers. The regional and relationship managers bridge the gap between the company and the community. Their role involves not only sharing resources – such as safety information, local reliability work and energy efficiency supplies – with the public but also collecting community insights and requirements to convey back to leadership. “We’re in service to the community, ensuring our customers can receive the reliable power they demand and deserve,” said Mark Jones, a dedicated relationship manager for over a decade. Jones witnessed the department’s remarkable growth from its inception. Actively engaged in customer support activities orchestrated by DTE, Jones collaborates with various partner organizations to offer diverse resources to the community. “People often arrive distressed, facing potential shut-offs, poverty and homelessness,” said Jones. “Surprised by the array of services available in one location, they leave expressing immense gratitude to DTE for providing resources and aiding with bill payments.” Regional and relationship managers juggle many responsibilities, engaging directly and indirectly with the community. Their dynamic role can shift in an instant from event participation to distributing resources during an emergency. Julie Jozwiak, a regional manager at DTE, transitioned from a career in the automotive industry in pursuit of new learning opportunities and community involvement. With over 10 years at DTE and residing in Detroit for 25 years, her passion for problem-solving is deeply rooted in her commitment to the city she proudly calls home. Outside of work, the managers are continuing incredible ventures in Wayne County. Jozwiak leverages her expertise acquired at DTE to actively contribute to her community. For the last 3.5 years, she’s been a consistent presenter, sharing insights on various energy-related topics. “I saw a gap of folks not understanding the basics of how utilities work, and I jumped at the opportunity,” said Jozwiak. The DTE managers celebrate their diversity in culture and experience with one another. Barbara Rykwalder, government affairs manager, is excited about embracing diverse cultures, both within her community and among her colleagues.
Rev. Wendell Anthony, Mark Jones, DTE, and Joi Harris, President & COO DTE
“Once, while assisting a customer, we struggled to communicate due to a language barrier. I sought help from my coworkers, and their willingness to support was inspiring,” said Rykwalder. “A colleague fluent in the language helped convey my message to the customer and he was able to connect with DTE services.” That customer’s small business is still open today thanks to Rykwalder’s support and relentless commitment. The regional and relationship managers work around the clock to provide DTE customers with the best service possible. “If it is 1 a.m. on a Saturday morning and I get a phone call, I pick it up because I know someone is depending on me, as do all of the regional managers” said Rykwalder. Despite where their passion formed, all the DTE regional and relationship managers have a deep-rooted commitment for serving their community. Kirstie Staelens, regional manager, discovered her passion early on for helping others through community service. While her days are devoted to supporting DTE customers, her commitment to making a difference extends far beyond the workplace. “Through my role at DTE, I work with customers by supporting their various needs and requests, and in my spare time, I volunteer in the community to guide and mentor the next generation of female leaders,” said Staelens. From the intricate workings of Wayne County’s energy infrastructure to the vital role played by DTE’s regional and relationship managers, these professionals are the linchpin between the community’s needs and the company’s services. Mark Jones, Julie Jozwiak, Barbara Rykwalder and Kirstie Staelens all share a passion for problem-solving and genuine care for the Wayne County community. For more information on DTE’s efforts in your community, visit EmpoweringMichigan.com. If you’re interested in speaking with a DTE representative or coordinating a speaking opportunity, contact DTEoutreach@dteenergy.com.
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Wayne County Community College District & DABO’s Community Empowerment Education Initiative
Since the inception of the Detroit Association of Black Organizations the goal of educating others to equip them to achieve self-sufficiency has been a central mission of the association. Over the years DABO has established and operated workforce development programs, operated an Adult Education Center, established the Detroit Cares Academy, and managed the Andrew Young Early College Academy.
Now, with the assistance of Wayne County Community College District, DABO’s Community Empowerment Education Initiative is now offering free tuition to the first two thousand (2,000) students who register for this initiative. This offer includes all of WCCCD’s academic and skilled trades programs. If you have already completed a degree you are still eligible. Perhaps you are enrolled somewhere else, then acquire this associate degree for free and then transfer these credits to complete your Bachelors.
For more information call 313-491-0003.
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Rev. Sheffield Delivers Menthol Cigarettes Eulogy in Front of The White House On Thursday January 18, 2024, at the invitation of Making It Count and Minou Jones, Rev. Sheffield delivered the Eulogy of Menthol cigarettes in Washington, DC’s Lafayette Parking while facing the White House.Menthol cigarettes are primarily smoked by people of color and has the highest cancer rate for any other cigarettes sold. Menthol, which obscures the unsettling effects of inhaled smoke with a more soothing and cooling sensation, is the only permissible cigarette flavoring still left. (All others like fruit, chocolate were outlawed in 2009 by Congress.) It appears that the inclusion of menthol in cigarettes make them more pleasurable. It has been proven that Menthol smoker enhances the effects of nicotine in the brain. Menthol try to quit more often, but they succeed less.
Here is the text of Rev. Sheffield’s Menthol Cigarette Eulogy. “I have come to this prestigious place – this morning - in front of these concrete images of a government born to promote freedom - to BURY a product - Menthol Cigarettes- that enslaves and murders US. We do so because we Understand that the Tobacco Industry is the largest killer of African Americans. This is an Unfiltered truth that despicably devastates our families, our communities, and our country. I come to our capital to pronounce capital punishment, and a death sentence upon the manufacturers - and the distributors of menthol cigarettes – cigarettes that are destroying the health of our families and our children – and with menthol kills too many of us. Since the trans-Atlantic slave ships landed on these shores, the tobacco industry has used our pain for their profits. If we are to be truly free in this great land of opportunity, we must do away with corporate greed that keeps us in chains, and which allows us to purchase our deaths - a package at a time, which then kills us one puff at a time. The tobacco industry uses our lives as pawns to produce profits for themselves even if it cripples our communities and causes us grief having to watch our loved ones die. And then they pander their poison by paying people who look like us to try to convince us that individual choice is more important than saving our lives. Make no mistake about it there is not enough money to pay me off, to pay us off, to knock us off, or to shut us up. We will bury this Menthol Killer. And Let’s be Clear WHEN IT COMES TO THE ISSUE OF MENTHOL - It’s dividing Us -- It’s Using Us - and it is devastating and exploiting our communities. We come to Kill Menthol Cigarettes just like it has choked and killed us. Today we also come to bury the paid pallbearers who have knowingly participated in killing us. To BURY MENTHOL THIS MORNING We must ALSO deal with the pallbearers who parade around with our coffins in their hands. Pallbearers- those politicians who refuse to stand with us; Pallbearers- so called black and community leaders who would rather profit from big tobacco than to join us in fighting to end our pain; Pallbearers- community leaders and government agencies frozen by delay; and, Pallbearers- parents who whose children gaged and died saying I can’t breathe but who get paid to tell us we should be more concerned about the police targeting us than the tobacco industry killing us. Today Let’s Bury menthol cigarettes but not in the box they sale them to us in - but in the only box they belong in - a casket. And we Must - no matter what Yell it, scream it, and go tell it everywhere and to everyone Ban Menthol Because it Saves Black Lives! AND SO I CLOSED BY SAYING THAT IF BLACK LIVES MATTER – THEN BLACK LUNGS DO TO!”
DABO’s CEO Speaks at the United Nations in support of Menthol Cigarette Ban
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DABO & Wayne County Launch Hypertension Control Program
Once again Comedians Mike Epps and Earthquake have joined with DABO to relaunch and to promote its Hypertension Control Program, through a grant from Wayne County Government, Hon. Warren Evans, CEO. The objectives of the Hypertension Control Program are to: (1) demonstrate the feasibility of community-based hypertension control through novel models of medication intervention and health navigation; (2) to ultimately inform policies that enable a community-based approach for hypertension management, and; (3) to amplify the national Million Hearts® 2027 priorities and support the CDC’s multisector approach to control hypertension.
DABO’s Hypertension Control Project The objectives of DABO’s Hypertension Control Project are to: (1) direct outreach to community members (in-reach at DABO, event-based outreach); and, (2) engage leadership in the Black faith community to amplify messaging about the importance of hypertension screening and management. To sign up to get your blood pressure under control call us at 313-491-0003 or go to Yourbloodpressurematters.org to make your appointment today.
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DABO’S TECH HUB & CONNECT 313 HIGHLIGHTS 2023
Through the Connect 313 program Detroit residents may be eligible for a $30 discount on their current internet bill or to receive up for a $10 monthly rate. DABO provides assistance for residents to sign up for affordable internet and we offer free internet and basic Community residents have been able to use the computer literacy classes and free access to the internet. computer hub for students to complete their school For more information please call 313-491-0003. assignments, to prepare resumes, perform job searches, and for zoom conferences and for court hearings. DABO has established a Computer Hub for the community that offers free WIFI and computer use, computer classes, and ACP sign up for community groups, children, teens and young adults and seniors.
Mason in the Morning Live Health Check Up Broadcast
Families Against Narcotics (FAN) Monthly Meeting Esha Price, FNP President Detroit Chapter
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DABO In the Community
Lt. Governor Garland Gilchrist, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, & Rev. Sheffield taping Wake Up Call
DABO President Ronald Lockett, DPD Chief James White, & Rev. Sheffield at Bike Giveaway
Hon. Coleman A. Young at the Bridge Center for the Phi Beta Sigma, Xi Beta Sigma’s Founder’s Day Observance
Choose Healthy Life’s Founder Debra Fraser Howze, Ron Ticho, and Choose Healty Life’s Executive Director Rev. Kimberly Williams in Washington, DC.
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DABO is Addressing Food Insecurity by Feeding the Community
DABO volunteers Ximin Dong & Shea Huston, DABO Health Staff Distributing Gleaners Food
Choose Healthy Life, DABO, United Way Monthly Food Distribution
Choose Healthy Life & DABO’s Monthly Food Distribution
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Walgreens Providing Vaccinations at DABO
DABO Meeting with Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, United Way and Meridian
Meeting with the Blue Cross, Blue Shield Foundation about DABO’s Black Minds Matters Project
Meeting with United Way of Southeastern Michigan Agency Assist Team
DABO meeting with MDHHS who is opening a NeighborhoodWwellness Center in the Sheffield Center.
DABO staff meeting with the Meridian who has donated a refrigerator for our VFC (Vaccines for Children) program
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The Wake Up Call provides opportunities for community organizations and members of the Divine 9 to be guests on the show. Audience members also received a FREE hot breakfast and registration for the DABO’s FREE healthcare initiative; Blueprint for Wellness and Hypertension - Blood Pressure Matters.
Rev. Sheffield and The Wake Up Call Team hosting Comedian and Social Media Influencer Randi Rossario
Members of the Detroit Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Members of the Beta Omicron Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Detroit Chapter
Members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Rho Omega Chapter Detroit
Choose Healthy Life providing onsite hypertension screening and registration for Blueprint for Wellness.
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Meet Some of DABO’s Team WILLIAM F. COLEMAN
DR. CAROLYN CARTER
William F. Coleman III, DABO’s current Chief Financial Officer, worked his way up through finance posts at several of the largest public school systems in the United States over a 30-year career in education, becoming superintendent of the Detroit, Michigan, Public School District, with its more than 100,000 students, in January of 2006. In Detroit he faced a series of crisis in which fiscal problems and declining enrollment reinforced each other in a downward spiral. Throughout his career he has been praised for community-relations initiatives designed to showcase the school system's strong points.
DABO is excited to have Dr. Carolyn Carter join our leadership team. Dr. Carter complements our strong community-based culture. We believe her impressive reputation in higher education, fundraising, philanthropy, generational commitment to and involvement in DABO, and her being known for achieving results make her the right choice to be Rev. Horace L. Sheffield, III’s administration. A native Detroiter with deep roots as a community-minded servant-leader and an advocate for youth empowerment and education. For over thirty years, through her relationship with the Rev. Sheffield, she has provided support for DABO in many ways. We welcome the opportunity for her to serve Chief of Staff and the Director of DABO’s Health Disparity Council.
GERALD SMITH
STEPHANIE PRIDE
DABO is pleased to have award winning journalist Gerald Smith as a team member who produces all of our radio television programs that currently air on WADL TV, 910 AM, and WLQV 1500 AM & 92.7 FM. Gerald W. Smith served as director of community and project development at Detroit Public Television for 14 years. He is best known for his role as co-host on “Back-To-Back,” the EMMY nominated metro Detroit call-in TV/radio talk show on WTVS- Channel 56 and WQBH-1400 AM. He also hosted a talk show on Detroit Public TV entitled, “Good Schools: Making the Grade.” He was the host of community television specials on the Comcast Community Network. Gerald served on the faculty of Wayne State University in the Department of Africana Studies and was named United States Peace Corps “Black Educator of the Year” in 1990. Previously, he taught courses in African American studies at Wayne County Community College.
DABO recently appointed Stephanie Pride to serve as DABO’s Youth Director and Agency Relations Director. As the Youth Director Ms. Pride is responsible for increasing the participation of youth, and young adults, in the overall operation of DABO, and to organize DABO’s Young Adult Committee (YAC) and its monthly forum. As Agency Relations director she is charged with both increasing the number of DABO’s Affiliate Organizations, and for representing the DABO in the community, and with, via various media and social media platforms, communicating with others the purpose and programs of DABO. Born in Detroit, Stephanie was raised by two incredible parents. Me being the second oldest of the tribe. She graduated top of my class at Detroit HS for Fine and Performing Arts majoring in Fine Art with a minor in Music. While working her church she developed many programs to help serve others, and started a consultant company called Bright Light Media Group through which she provides brand management, project management, production consultation, and full-service administration to specifically religious and non-profit organizations.
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Annual Meeting of The Detroit Association of Black Organizations
Hon. Mary Sheffield, President, Detroit City Council & Rev. Horace L. Sheffield, III
Hon. Ralphael Washington, Wayne County Sheriff and Rev. Horace L. Sheffield, III, DABO CEO
The 5th President of Board of Directors of the DABO’s Mr. Ronald Lockett, is inviting the community, and other stakeholders, to attend the Annual Meeting of The Detroit Association of Black Organizations, Incorporated on Friday March 15th, 4pm at The Dr. LaVonne M. Sheffield Bridge, 9928 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, MI 48204. The theme of he meeting is “Remembrance, Recognition, & Renewed Response”, and the keynote speaker for the Annual Meeting is the Hon. Mary Sheffield, Presidents of the Detroit City Council. DABO will also honor Sheriff Ralphael Wahington at the meeting.Please RSVP at 313-491-0003.
DABO Honors the Life of Dr. Lavonne M. Sheffield On Thursday June 13, 2024, 7pm, at the One Mike Comedy Club, 1331 Broadway, DABO will honor the memory of Dr. LaVonne M. Sheffield for whom the Dr. LaVonne M. Sheffield Bridge Center is named. The memorial honor will be a concert performed by Russell Thompkins & The New Stylistics, Dr. Sheffield’s favorite singing group. Russell Thompkins, who remains a personal friend of the Sheffield Family, has performed several benefit concerts for DABO. We hope to see you there.
Hon. Mary Sheffield, President, Detroit City Council & Rev. Horace L. Sheffield, III
DABO Set To Celebrate Their 45th State of The Race Weekend
Friday, April 19, 2024
Sunday, April 21, 2024
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12048 Grand River Avenue Detroit, MI 48204 313-491-0003 www.dabodetroitinc.com
DABO and People Health’s Low Dose Chest CT Scanning Program DABO, Choose Health Life, and Premiere Quality Healthcare, in partnership with People Health, are addressing healthcare in the community by providing FREE chest CT screening. The CT Scanning truck will be located on the parking lot of the Bridge Center, 9928 Grand River, Detroit, MI 48204. For additional information please call 313-491-0003. Beginning February 12 - 16, 2024, participants will scan the QR code above to schedule their FREE scanning.