Issuu

Michigan Chronicle

Black Lives Matter

Vol. 85 – No. 25 | Feb. 23 - March 1, 2022

Equality or Equity:

Which Is Better? The concepts aren’t the same and don’t bring Black people the same result.

By Hiram E. Jackson Black people, as well as whites, have struggled for years with dual concepts requiring vastly different approaches for social justice: equality and equity. I recently heard a heralded, longtime activist admit that while we’ve fought fiercely for equality — believing it would right the wrongs of racism and discrimination in one fell swoop — the thinking was that equity would be a natural outcome of the battle. He went on to say that a twopronged approach would have been more effective in achieving the goals of social justice and economic equity.

Hiram E. Jackson

The truth is equality and equity are not the same, and in practice, they are not even that close. Equality means each individual or group receives the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person or group has different circumstances and allocates the resources and opportunities accordingly, so everyone reaches an equal outcome. As Paula Dressel of the Race Matters Institute put it, “The route to achieving equity will not be accomplished through treating everyone equally. It will be achieved by treating everyone justly according to their circumstances.” For example, in a country where all children of school age are eligible to attend schools of their choosing and Black workers can apply for the same jobs as whites, and get them, white families are more than eight times better off than Black families. So economic equity is a tangible concept in which resources and assets are distributed to balance economies. When that happens, all a society’s participants get a fair share of the wealth, and no one person or group is burdened any more than another. That is obviously not the case in America. Black people, on average, had 22 cents for every dollar of white family wealth, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserve’s Institute for Economic Equity. These substantial gaps have remained unchanged since 1989, according to the Institute. Families of color and minority-owned businesses, which have always been at the back of the finance and lending line, have suffered for many decades to survive. People of color have traditionally been locked out of the economic process. Their efforts to participate in the economic process are still regularly thwarted, prohibiting them from getting a fair share of household and commercial wealth. Families of color and minority-owned businesses, which have always been at the back of the finance and lending line, have suffered for many decades to survive. The pandemic not only helped to exacerbate their struggle for equity, but it also put a

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion MATTERS! By Sherri Kolade

his two-part series on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) covers the background of DEI, its forerunner, Affirmative Action, and the causes for and against these programs that some consider sometimes helpful, or hurtful, to the Black experience. Part two delves into Black women and DEI works that cater to this segment of the population. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Many companies say that these aren’t just buzzwords in the postGeorge Floyd era to ease the racial Stephen Dorsey tensions felt by Black people who make up 15 million (or 12 percent) of the 125 million U.S. private-sector workforce. Or are they just some filler words with no substantial backing when it comes to promoting better working conditions for Black people and other minorities? Depending on who you ask, experts in the DEI space and companies leading these conversations have very strong opinions on why DEI is a noteworthy cause and not just more HR-style lip service. With some major strides resulting from Affirmative Action policies (now in place for decades) working their way through the DEI pipeline, shouldn’t equity and racial justice already be an established notion on and off the job? If so, why then would so many Black people leading the cause of the Black Lives Matter movement still have to shout that indeed, “Black Lives Matter?” Mary Mbiya, director of Diversity & Inclusion at Flagstar Bank, told the Michigan Chronicle that DEI work is important work at the organization now more than ever, especially after the death of George Floyd.

Mary Mbiya

slates of candidates during the interview process at the high-band levels and review our talent demographics quarterly. Also, all our recruiters have been trained in diversity recruiting. And to help employees advance in their jobs, we piloted mentoring circles last year where employees go through a six-month mentorship program, and we track their career for two and a half years. Over 40 percent of the participants represented ethnic groups. And because diversity in the workplace is so key, it’s a journey we don’t see ever ending.” Kalani Ture, a senior fellow at Yale University’s Urban Ethnography Project, assistant professor at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Maryland and assistant professor of criminal justice in anthropology at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, sees DEI a bit differently. “If DEI is the band-aid used to cover the old and wornout suture of Affirmative Action, then part of the solution means that we must take off the bandage and expose the unhealed wounds,” Ture said. “I only sadly predict that suture will be torn off by the desperate and our Democracy will be scarred even more.” No matter which side of the aisle one stands on the pros and cons of DEI, one thing is for certain, a turning point in the DEI conversation took place after Floyd, an unarmed Black man, was killed by a white police of-

“The murder of George Floyd was a game-changer for Flagstar because it marked a new level of engagement with our employees,” Mbiya said, adding that diverse talent acquisition is one of the pillars of Flagstar’s DEI strategy. “We’ve made progress here. For example, we require diverse

See DIVERSITY page A2

OR EQUITY page A2

WHAT’S INSIDE

The Current State of Black Lives By Megan Kirk

Don’t Touch

My Hair

Black Culture Matters

Page B1

$1.00

Kalani Ture

Edith Lee-Payne poses with her iconic photo from the March on Washington. Photo listed in The National Archive Museum

Detroit’s stake in social justice is as rich as any southern city in America. From its roots in the Underground Railroad to the 1967 riots, Detroit history is full of stories in the fight for social justice. In recent years, millennial organizations have formed to continue the legacy and the push for racial justice in the city and beyond. As we look back, we can measure how far the movement has come and how much further we have to go. Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Michael Brown -- these names are just a few of those who have sparked national outrage in Black communities. With very public cases, America got a front row seat into the complexities of race, police relations and overzealous vigilantes. Most recently, the murder of George Floyd was

the catalyst that ignited African Americans in the city and in many cities across the country, to stand up and help put an end to murder at the hands of police officers. However, the fight for reform started long before George Floyd and continues after his death. Edith Lee-Payne has been an advocate and activist for social and racial justice, education, police and community relations and other pressing matters for decades. Etched in history, Lee-Payne became a staple in the fight for justice in August 1963 when she was photographed during the March on Washington as a young girl. Together with her mother, Lee-Payne learned activism early and continues to make her mark on her community. “I have always had a passion or a desire to stand up for things as a very small

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LIVES page A2

Page A-2 | Feb. 23 - March 1, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

Michigan Chronicle A Real Times Media Newspaper

HIRAM E. JACKSON Publisher | AJ WILLIAMS Managing Editor

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Diversity From page A-1

ficer, Derek Chauvin, in 2020. Milestones for the Workforce Many in the DEI space said that their organizations changed for the better to be more in tune with their employees. Angela Thompkins, vice president and chief diversity officer at Consumers Energy, agrees. Launched formally in 2020, Thompkins said that Consumers Energy’s DE&I focus is one with intentionality and opportunity for the company’s employees to embrace its longstanding cultural values daily. “As one of Michigan’s largest employers, we know we can’t be silent. We have 8,500 employees and know these issues affect their lives and the communities where we all live and work,” Thompkins said, adding that DE&I centers on creating a “culture of listening and learning.”

are all too often left out. According to www. mckinsey.org, data from 24 participating companies (ranging in size from 10,000 to 1.4 million U.S. employees) revealed some insights about how Black employees are lacking in representation, even as companies continue to successfully hire Black employees at the frontline and in entry-level jobs. The report notes that there is a “significant drop-off in representation at management levels.” Representation Now In those respective companies, Black employees make up 14 percent of all employees, compared with 12 percent for the U.S. private sector overall, yet at the managerial level, the Black share of the workforce drops to 7 percent. Across the senior manager, VP and SVP levels, Black representation holds steady at 4 to 5 percent. The need for Black representation in the workplace grew into the movement known as Affirmative Action, initially established in 1965 by the federal government through an executive order signed by President Lyndon Johnson, to obtain equal employment opportunity after the past discrimination practices prevailed in the workplace. Not only were more Black people hired and recruited at work and through college, but more women, veterans and differently-abled people were brought into the fold.

minority people who deserve access to the American Dream but it doesn’t single in [on] the issues that African Americans have of this society,” he said. “DEI really ... pivots again away from Blackness.” According to “Diversity + Inclusion: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Make It a Priority,” 48 percent of employees believe that respect is the most essential factor for a culture of inclusion while 61% percent of employees believe diversity and inclusion strategies are beneficial and essential. Mbiya said that she, too, has seen progress in Flagstar’s DEI program. “Flagstar today is a stark contrast to the Flagstar of five years ago,” Mbiya said. “Today we talk openly about issues of race, equity, privilege, voting rights, the glass ceiling, generational gaps—the full gamut of issues in the headlines and on our minds. We speak out where we never did before, and we celebrate our diversity as we never did before. Juneteenth, Native American Heritage Month, Pride Month, Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Diwali, Veterans Day, and much more, all have a place at Flagstar; but none of it would have happened without the leadership of our CEO and executive team who’ve been all-in from day one.”

“We’re starting by intentionally slowing the pace to meet employees where they are in their respective DE&I journeys,” Thompkins said. “Building a cultural foundation requires getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. It’s about creating a safe environment to engage in dialogue—not debate. We create opportunities to Stephen Dorsey, a let our guard down, be Canadian author who is curious and seek first to multiracial and multilinunderstand one another. gual, told the Michigan Our goals are to inspire According to a 2012 Chronicle that with all of difficult conversations, study on Affirmative the strides made in the get past discomfort and DEI space, even more imembrace our differences Action it was noted that provements are needed. “government policy has to improve our working “There should be urrelationships and deliv- contributed to higher dier better results for our versity rates at U.S. work- gency,” Dorsey said of Page A-6and• our michiganchronicle.com • and December ramping8-14, up DEI2021 efforts. company cus- places” between 1973 2003. Also, Black and tomers.” Dorsey, who wrote a Native American workers Even before the Floyd were the “primary benefi- book, “Black & White: An Intimate, Multicultural tragedy, for decades past, ciaries” of the policies. Perspective on ‘White AdDEI, which has taken on Ture said that for Affir- vantage’ & The Paths to many forms and names, has had a somewhat of mative Action to exist, it Real Change” talks about an uphill battle in its pur- had to allow diverse can- how systemic racism is not unique to the U.S., pose of advancing equity didates in. among Black people and “What DEI does is says and countries like Canada other people of color, who there are a number of are diving deep into their

own history of racial discrimination to both accept hard realities and implement real change. Dorsey said that there is a “global reckoning” happening around anti-Black racism efforts he is encouraged by today. He added that working in the corporate world and often being the only Black man in the room he’s had his fair share of experiences that shaped who he is. “Does DEI have more work to do?” Dorsey said he is asked that question often and he said it’s simple, really. “We’re at the end of the beginning. I think we’re just in the part where we’ve raised awareness … but now we need to move this by an awakening of allies that work needs to be done to eliminate systemic racism in the institutions that govern everyday life.”

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From page A-1 spotlight on the inconsistencies in the distribution of assistance to balance out these financial hardships and showed that Black people and Black businesses suffer disproportionately. The disparities of homeownership within our community are still staggering. Closing the Black-white homeownership gap is an essential gauge of whether we are on course to be a fair, just society with equal access to everyone. According to James Lowry, a prominent economic expert and 40-year advocate of minority business development, community development finance

Black Lives From page A-1

Into the Depths of Black History

PICKS 736 592 107 817 987

Equality Or Equity

person. To speak my mind, respectfully, my mother wouldn’t have it any other way. Going to the marches, the first one was in Detroit in June 1963 and then the March on Washington and that was because my mom had had some experiences,” said Lee-Payne. “The experiences that she had coming up gave her that passion to be a part of the Civil Rights Movement and what it meant. That’s how I happened to be at the march.” In 2020, protests in the city were a five-day outcry as a result of By Megan Kirk George Floyd’s murder. For centuries, Black history has been Opening the door for hunindelibly tied to the foundation of slavdreds of young people to ery. With stories buried deep within make their voices heard, the ancestors, pieces of Black heritage the streets of Detroit have been lost, until now. National Geowere flooded with orgagraphic is helping to tell the stories of nizations and individuBlackness through a podcast, documenals sounding off against tary and magazine layout shedding light police brutality in Amerion sunken ships that carried the fears, ca, but specifically within legacy, and hopes of slaves during the Detroit city limits. No era of the Transatlantic slave trade. stranger to the fight, Detroit was once again on “Into the the main stage of social Depths” follows justice. Tara Roberts On the board of the who is on a mis12th Precinct Police Comsion to uncover munity Relations as an secrets of the Tara recording trilateration measurement active member for more past found deep to artifact for the purpose of plotting in- than 30 years, police within the sea. (StatePoint) It may be the season of cheer, but foron those stillmap. struggling pandemic. formation the site (Photoduring by: the ongoing is a passion point She enlists the many, the holidays are rife with anxiety about expensErie Insurance is taking awayreform that concern with gift Chris Searles) for Lee-Payne. Despite es. A recent survey help showsofthatDiving staying on budget is card reimbursement coverage, which is provided to With a Pur- one of my ancestors that I didn’t know. the marches and protests Americans’ top concern this holiday season, followed certain eligible homeowners at no additional charge. pose (DWP), a This is an ancestor whose picture hangs of 2020, she believes very by incurring long-term debt,of shipping and being The coverage provides reimbursement for up to $250 team Blackcosts on my mother’s wall and has been there little progress has been charged late or hidden fees. per gift card at local businesses within 100 miles of a divers, along for many, many, many years and I would made as leadership in the customer’s home if the business permanently closes new era of the movement with marine just often pass by that picture with, I Here are five tips to protect your holiday budget: has been eclipsed. withinindifference, a year after at purchase. Reimbursement coverarcheologists, would say at worst, best, 1. Set a spendingdescendants cap with friends family. of aand age is said limitedRoberts. to $500 per policy period. “We still haven’t seen mild curiosity,” “BeTara Americans Roberts plan to spend $998 on giftscause this holiday shipwrecks and police reform that we of this work, because I decided to anyTrack when prodhistorians set outtotothe unearth lost dig into this history, I found all this stuff 4. season,who according need to see because the ucts are treasures fromRetail the Transatlantic slave out about my great-great grandfather.” message isdiscounted overshadowed National Federawith browser ex-said trade. Hoping to incite a deeper underby thea messenger,” tion. ‘Tis the season for Black History Month is used as a time tension. Do “If youyou wanthave standing slave Roberts Lee-Payne. giving,ofbutthe make sure trade, you of true reflection and reaching into the the wishes it will encourage descendants to best deals but don’t someone stepping up as don’t overspend. Know discover more about their own heritage past to discover how far the culture has have leader, make the then time toyou spend your budget up front and while learning the untold stories of the advanced and how much further it must searching sure that for the them? clarificathat with slavecommunicate trade. Recognizing the hurt some go. It is also a time for personal discov- tion of are what’s intended is extensions loved ones. Another ideathe podcast ery in how African Americans and their There African Americans may feel, stated -- that it’s clear.” you can download on limit spending is to putfelt by many families fit into the narrative of Black may to uncover some feelings From the earliest days web browsers that history. National Geographic has found everyone’s name into a in the Black community. of Black bodies arrivwill compare prices a way to peel back the complex layers of hat.relationship Each person ing in America “My to draws our past was one slavery through Roberts and each story and even apply through the one name and buys a gift today, the shifts in laws of avoidance, I think, and one of fear. It told through the podcast. best coupon codes at PHOTO SOURCE: (c) juliannafunk / iStock via Getty Images Plus for just thethat person for Africans and their deseemed to me mostthey of the stories checkout. “’Into the Depths’ is a profound and scendants has caused a You canabout add aBlack folks, that selected. I encountered personal exploration identity andrewards. his- ripple effect in laws our past, centered insidethe of our painof your bit ofwas intrigue by keeping identity recipient 5. Useofcredit card You’ve earned thosegovtory as told through the lens of Black erning Needand inside our you trauma,” said Roberts. a secretofuntil open gifts! points throughout the year and now the is a nation. great time scientists and storytellers eager to ing more than a legal to cash them in. The simplest way to use points is for A 2. six-part podcast series, “Into theTiming Take advantage of deal days. is everydeepen our understanding of American push, true reform must cards, as it’sexecutive one of the top requested gifts and Depths” new the light onprices. the slave said gift David Ardalan, thingsheds for getting best Do yourhistory,” homework come through the practhere are many categories from, including tradein as the podcast documents Robof Audio for National Geo- to choose advance to pay significantly less andproducer wait for big tice and the implementaerts’ journey from Florida to Costa Rica, graphic. restaurants, clothing and grocery stores. Another option of legislation. sales days, such as Super Saturday before Christmas, through Africa and back to her hometion is to take advantage of the money saved from a is great N.C., for last-minute gifts. “I think that we are The podcast also uses the gift of townwhich of Edenton, where one family statement credit to cover the expense of holiday gifts. we certainly not where poetry to help drive home a unique emophoto, initially met with disinterest, 3. Purchase gift cards with peace of mind. Gift should when tional connectionBeing to themindful story. of your spending nowbecan helpwe youlook sooncards became source convenient of pride and are aapopular, gift, abut some wouldat from whence we came, have a low-stress holiday season and start the new deepbe understanding of her family’s lin“Into the Depths” is now available on buyers may hesitate to purchase them out of fear and that’s going on 403 eage. on the right foot. Apple Podcastsyear andoff other podcast apps. that the business may end up closing, especially years since the first en“I ended up discovering things about “Clotilda: Last American Slave Ship” is slaved African touched also available for streaming.

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vehicles are few and far between. Many of those that are viable are not owned or controlled by Black people, so there are already inherent problems to access and financial accountability. Nothing new, right? But the good news — and the shocker for some — is that Black-owned businesses have had the strongest rebound since the pandemic plunge. The pandemic created an impetus for people of color to start and reimagine business scenarios. Their objective was to offset shrinking employment opportunities through self-employment and entrepreneurial endeavors. The bottom line: fair treatment of everyone, every community, and every enterprise according to circumstances is the route to achieving equity.

the shores of America,” said Lee-Payne. “The Civil Rights Movement, of course, was a very pivotal time that helped us get the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act, but it’s more than just passing legislation. It has to be enforced; it has to be applied.” Black leadership is at a standstill in comparison to iconic leaders and movements of the past. Lacking direction and a selfless individual, organizing the new era of the movement seems bleak. “I certainly welcome anybody that wants to step up and have their

voice be heard, but mind you, I came up during a movement of non-violence. The message was clear and the message was different. The movement was an organized movement; it had leadership,” said Lee-Payne. What was once loud and bold in its approach hasGetnow yourbecome weekly silent as organizations and inhome delivery the in dividuals who of rallied the 2020 protests seem to have lost steam. All of this leaves revolutionary leaders of earlier movements wondering what is Subscribe Today! to come. “We’ll march and we’ll chat, but what’s next?”

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to Michigan outreach agencies

rrived. Make sure your ready to combat frigid some tips to keep your is winter.

Roots. United Way of Southeastern Michigan, the Salvation Army, True North and The Heat and Warmth Fund to receive customer assistance funds

thermostat settings are the winter. Ideally, havat 68 degrees while you ave energy and money. ermostat can make this nd could result in ener180 over the course of

DTE Energy donated a total of $5 million to help low in- the winter months,” said Saunteel Jenkins, chief executive come residents across the state stay healthy, safe and warm officer of The Heat and Warmth Fund. “What’s important during Michigan’s freezing winter weather. to recognize about this donation is not only the ability for make your furnace work The company donated $2.25 million to the United Way THAW to help even more families with their urgent energy gher energy costs and of Southeastern Michigan; $1 million to the Salvation Army; needs, but to also help them access programs that can prets. During the winter, million 1, to True North; and $750,000 to The Heat and vent these crises in the future.” Feb. 23 -$1March 2022 hat your air filter | is clean Warmth Fund (THAW). These non-profit outreach agencies DTE has taken additional steps during the pandemic to since it will be working will help DTE customers who are struggling to pay their en- deliver help directly to customers in need, working closemonths. ergy bills, while also helping ly with the State of Michigan them enroll in affordable payto administer CERA (COVID ment plans, including DTE’s Emergency Rental AssisLow-Income Self-Sufficiency tance) aid to our customers Plan (LSP) payment program. who rent their homes and MIHAF (Michigan Home“Many Michigan families The DTE Energy Foundation awarded more hardthan are still facing financial owner Assistance Fund) help $1 million in grants to eight Michigan-based orgaships and may be challenged for homeowners. DTE was nizations focused on encouraging equity. Grant to keep their homes warm this winter,” said Jerry Norcia, also recently recognized by the White House as an example recipients include the Council of Michigan Founchief executive and president, DTE Energy. “This do- for other energy companies to follow, spotlighting how DTE dations, Detroit Regional Chamberofficer Foundation, nation will Latin help Americans Michiganders Dutton Farm, GreenLight Fund, for who are struggling to access directly applied enhanced Low Income Home Energy Assisthe help they need to pay their heating bills and, if they are tance (LIHEAP) aid to eligible customer accounts. Socialvacuum and Economic Development (LaSED), Neighheat blockage, eligible, in New payment programs that will provide more borhood Defender Service of enroll Detroit, Detroit More than 36,000 residents were enrolled in DTE’s afts to allow proper heat financial assistance.” and NEW (Nonprofit Enterprise at Work, Inc.). fordable payment plan, LSP, during the 2020-2021 procomfortable temperaDTE has donated more than $50 million since 2016 to gram year, and DTE anticipates potentially greater need this ur home. Additionally, help customers stay warm and keep their lights on. These heating season. All four agencies will be conducting open toys, or window coverdonations to human services agencies enable them to help enrollments to LSP for eligible customers seeking energy g the vents to allow for Michigan residents pay down past-due balances and cur- assistance. Visit dteenergy.com/lsp or call THAW, the Salm airflow. rent energy bills. vation Army, United Way for Southeastern Michigan and and cooling system is “DTE’s longstanding partnership with THAW helps sta- True North for additional program information or to enroll and delivering the maxbilize and empower Michigan families, particularly during in the program. by having a contractor n checkups. DTE proTHAW - 800.866.8429 | The Salvation Army - 855.929.1640

Racial and social equity initiatives receive more than $1 million in grants from DTE Foundation

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DTE Team Helps Michiganders Pay Bills, Keep Power Flowing

United Way for Southeastern Michigan - 844.211.4994 | True North - 231.355.5880

bulbs throughout your “The Foundation will continue to ensure its 90 percent less energy ght outputgrantmaking and can lastprocess supports social justice, leading us to partner . Find the right bulbs for with nonprofits that share similar goals, such as racial justice. It’s an honor to award uide. these incredible organizations continue to munity. The organizations he DTEthat Energy Foundation d your home add impact in our makeand a positive neighborhoods,” receiving grants will assist awarded more thansaid $1 mild to helpLynette your home Dowler, president,lion DTEinFoundation. “The children, families and segrants to 10 Miche and energy-efficient strength, support and passion of our community foniors. For example, the DTE igan-based organizations on your annual energy partners are vital in helping us carry out our missionlives Foundation has supported cused on enriching people’s ovie Wilson’s heart sank when she read five years, DTE donated more than $50 milof service.” lude installing weather the agencies Detroit Area Agency across the state, just in time for the email. A Detroiter with disabilities lion to charitable that assist low-ind caulking around winon Aging Holiday the holidays. The DTE Foundation’s support Grant will berecipients used by inhad just lost his longtime companion come Michiganders with (DAAA) their energy bills. In the following grant recipients toChildren’s develop programs, Meals on Wheels clude The Foundation, to an unexpected death and the tragedy some cases DTE delivers financialfor aidmore directly seedupgrade, current projectsCommunity and create partnerships thanofaeligible decadecustomers, by servingand Foundation that of St. forced him from the home they had shared. to the accounts n equipment support modsocial justiceClair and racial equity efforts. America Now the man is in a new apartment, accord- the White House recently recognized those 5,500 seniors every holiCounty, Feeding a high-efficiency day season. West Michigan, Forgotten Har- ing to Lovie’s inbox at DTE Energy, and he efforts. erates up to 50% more Council Foundations – vest, Gleaners Community Food can’t afford the $300 he owes to DTE from units. You may even be of Michigan Lovie shared “Detroit this storyArea not toAgency promote $250,000 Bank of Southeastern Michigan, the old place. herself or DTEon but to raise awareness about available at dteenergy. Aging is grateful for the The grant will advance the Statewide Equity of Fund Habitat for Humanity Michithe resourcesgenerous available donation to help financially from Lovie ister. a senior customerhave service analyst Our partners direct lines to Strategic Support program that on provides Michiganders keep power gan, Meals Wheels,funding Oaks Villagefor (Oaks DTE, specializing in helping low-income the DTE Foundation. Wetheir value andon. help communities from the groundstrapped ystem at for peak perfor- expertise and overall guidance for technical For appreciate every person knows about the asof Righteousness), Pope Francis customers Center up. payOnce their basic bills. needs “The young man thewho Foundation’s financial are met, those n annual tune-up. DTE municipalities and nonprofits in developing sistance programs DTE and is partners offer, and United CommunityequiHousingwas Coaliafraidwho of losing power – of living are underserved can alone begin to support as well as their dedicated help offset the cost of ty-centered approaches stimulus funding. there are thousands of people whodeliver don’t. tion.forOrganizations will use this support with no light or heat – and so he reached out employee volunteers who focus their energy on other parts of at include combustion to repair homes, deliver meals and sup- Lovie “The worst thing a DTE customer can do is to DTE,” said. Could DTE help pay his help to senior apartment buildings their life, like careers and family.” Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation – not and ask us for help. We don’t want to see port communities at the grassroots level bill? churches. Our partnership pro-our $100,000 The DTE Foundation supports eq-customers buried by debt or losing power,” DTE Insight app to see by directly serving residents’ most basic vides hope to the most vulnerable Thanks to area human service agencies ThetoDetroit Regionalneeds. Chamber grant will be used uitable programming that serves theLovie said. She encouraged people to call her u’ll be able identify and DTE’s unmet supportneeds of these non-profits – as seniors,” said Ronald Taylor, DAAA to support the organization’s focus on racial justice of diverse, vulnerable use and avoid high-bill team at 1-800-477-4747 well as governmental partners -the answer president and CEO. or reach out via the “At the DTE Foundation, people are and economic equity, making education more eqresidents while engaging the com-company website at dteenergy.com/help. for this man was yes. Lovie’s team at DTE conthe core ofneighborhoods what we do,” said Lynette uitable for Detroiters,atempowering “Anybody who truly needs help, gets nected him to a state program that paid the gy-saving and tips, entrepreneurs, rebates, Dowler, president, DTE Foundation. “We advocating for fair and equal $300on and to a non-profit for addition- help,” she said. help you save this winknow thecritical most impactful work focuses legislation, and embracing conversations DTEagency spreads al assistance. DTE employees dozens of service reprearn more at: dteenergy. positively impacting the lives of those in with national thought leaders and local business, holiday to sentatives like Lovie to connect people havneed. Michiganders can’t thrive without Last year, DTE customers cheer received $119 government, and civic leaders. million the Michigan Energy As- ing trouble with energy bills with programs basic needs being met, like food or shel- through hospitalized children Dutton Farm – $30,000 sistance Program (MEAP), the Low Income that help pay them. DTE aspires not only to be the DTE doubled down during the COVID-19 Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), The grant will support the Dutton Farm Workforce best in the world, but the best forpandemic, working with the state to forand other programs that are funded by DTE. Development Program, which provides skill-buildthe even world. One way thewill company And we expect more customers get give nearly $4 million in debt for more than ing, career development and customized employaccomplishes is through help this year -- $163 millionthis worth. In the lastded-23,000 customers. The company also assistment supports to adults with developmental disication to the communities where when our truck pulls up, because abilities. n to drop, DTE’s elecemployees live and serve, in com- it’s decorated in nearly 30,000 king sure the grid can munities like Detroit or Ann Arbor. lights. It’s such a gratifying experiGreenLight Fund – $225,000 of the community thiswill fund the organization’s innovative look different This grant In 2021,The DTEholidays Energy still invested $2.2 bil- this ence. I love seeing all the smiles and year, and children in hospitals approach to filling critical service gaps for families lion with Michigan businesses, creating andmay joy it brings to everyone.” not be able to see their loved need and stimulating local support to maximize sustaining more than 10,000 jobs across theones The festive trucks put on even ribution in Operations and continue holiday traditions. social impact and long-term sustainability. state. more miles the next day on Monreliability projects in is why Public DTE has That invested nearly $16Affairs billion and withDis- day, Dec. 20 when Carl Simm Jr. ies across southeast Latin Americans for Social and Economic tribution Operations teamed up to and Robert Vanderbush joined DTE Michigan-based vendors since 2010, creatDevelopment (LaSED) – $10,000 spread54,000 some holiday spirit! volunteers to visit C.S. Mott Chiling and sustaining Michigan jobs. ees are a This dangerous support will be used to assist people of all On Sunday, Dec. 19 in Detroit, dren’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. The In addition to Michigan investment, DTE is ric grid. Heavy snow ages with a variety of bilingual services including DTE trucks partnered with Michiteam played music, and waved at increasing spending with suppliers owned by branchescitizenship can causeclasses, as aprojects Second happening Language in Wayne, gan Towing Operators in a drive by year English reliability the children, families and hospital women, minorities, veterans, and members power lines and ulti- summer (ESL) classes, youth programs, and a Lapeer senior and of at Detroit Medical Center workers as they waved back with Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac, Washtthe LGBTparade community. Recently, DTE also ges. center. Children’s Hospital to toinbring DTE donated flashlights. enaw counties. The improvement work in- its(DMC) expanded diverse supplier outreach holiday cheer from a safe distance. newdisability-owned ntly identified more cludes building new substations, installing clude businesses. In 2021, “Knowing we could bring smiles Neighborhood Defender Service of Detroit The lit-upmore truckthan was$715 driven by Jason to children’s faces this year was prioritize for surge substation equipment, reconfiguring overhead the company spent million (NDS) – $20,000 Carl Simm Jr., DTE to unrvice for thousands of powerlines and moving overhead wireswith certifiedBarnett diverseand suppliers and $820 mil- line incredible,” said Frank D’Angelo, This will be used to help Wayne County residents workers,located and gas truck was driven manager of events and community lion with businesses in Detroit. customers. Their ex- derground. retain in their through the Eviction Defense by John Frendo, who joined we forces outreach in Public Affairs. “I can’t d improvements thehousing “Doing business in the communities Inlegal addition, this fall DTE’s distribution system Practice, providing and related over 100 other vehicles, s from installing new experts, representation serve helps with Michigan companies grow andplay- imagine how difficult it is for those technicians and engineers in powsocial work to individuals and their families who are songs and waving acing animal guards er-generating plants performed preventative puts peopleing to holiday work,” said Jaspreet Singh, to kids to be spending time over the facing eviction as the result of an arrest or COVID-rechildren vice throughout the event. ating trimming trees inspections and maintenance on the electrical holidays in a hospital which is why Corporate Services president. “We’re lated hardships. “When all people’s the trucks lined up at we knew we had to get involved. committed to improving lives with e communities were distribution system to ensure it is ready for winchildren and staff So many of these programs were our energy. the Thathospital, fuels ourthe passion for giving driven analysis which New ter.Detroit – $100,000 outh Michigan: withitmore weresuppliers watching their windows■ S local and diverse newatopportunities closed this year DTE andpartnered we still made e experienced elevatTo learn more education, about ongoing The grant will support trainings, re- reliability 300 companies, spending $222 milto succeed.”while Santa Clause hosted the than happen even with COVID, by maskto electrical service projects happeningtoinfight your community visit search, advocacy, and partnerships racism lion and adding or maintaining about 1,000 event on a loudspeaker,” said Carl. ing up, staying outside and using DTE partners with businesses at the personal,https://empoweringmichigan.com/reliabilityinstitutional, and systemic levels. jobs. “Everyone gets especially excited our amazingly decorated truck.” 20 additional multi- improvements/. throughout Michigan: ■C entral Michigan: DTE invested $46 milNEW (Nonprofit Enterprise at Work, Inc.) – ■ Southeast Michigan and Metro Detroit: lion with more than 90 companies, creat$270,000 DTE bought $1.7 billion in goods and sering and sustaining about 200 jobs. This will support the Advancing Racial and Social vices from more than 1,200 companies, Justice program, which equips Michigan’s n onprofit generating and supporting nearly 7,800 ■ Thumb Region: DTE spent $103 million leaders to steward their missions while advancing with nearly 130 companies, positively imjobs. Nearly half – $820 million – was racial justice. pacting about 475 jobs. sourced from companies based in Detroit. The DTE Foundation is dedicated to cultivating di■ U pper Peninsula: DTE partnered with ■W est Michigan: DTE spent $97 million verse, inclusive, and equitable communities and more than 40 businesses, spending $10 with 200 companies, creating and sustainsupports initiatives focused on arts and culture, million and generating and supporting 45 ing nearly 450 jobs. community transformation, economic progress, jobs. ■ Northeast and Northwest Michigan: DTE education and employment, environment and For Detroit-based Williams Electric, a strainvested $17 million with nearly 144 comhuman needs. panies, positively impacting about 70 jobs. tegic partnership opened the door for new

DTE Energy Foundation awards more than $1 million in ‘Holiday Help’ grants to support families, children and underserved populations

“Anybody who truly needs help, gets help.”

rojects launched across Michigan re for this winter and the future

ed 7,500 customers in applying for state and federal aid and offered convenient payment plans for 66,000 customers. In addition, DTE suspended service shut offs during the peak months of the pandemic in 2020, ensuring the nobody was left in the dark or cold during the worst of the crisis. This was an extension of the company’s standard policy to give people billing grace during periods of extreme heat or cold. Lovie’s team is equipped and trained to ensure that customers receive multiple forms of help beyond LIHEAP and MEAP: renters assistance through COVID Emergency Renters Assistance (CERA), State Emergency Relief (SER) funds, and several civic agencies whose missions are supported by DTE contributions. They do all this through DTE’s Personalized Service Protection Plan, a program launched at the start of the pandemic to draw together the many forms of assistance and personalize solutions for DTE customers based on their specific circumstances. Beyond offering that direct assistance, DTE teams up with local non-profit organizations and community action agencies to provide free energy-saving home improvements to eligible customers. Last year, 10,926 electric and 12,273 natural gas customers participated in this program.

DTE Energy invests $2.2 billion with Michigan businesses in 2021

Cedric Flowers: Living a life of service Cedric Flowers, the new vice president of operations at DTE Gas, remembers a day in 1998 that would change the direction of his life. Strolling the halls of J.W. Sexton High School in Lansing, Flowers was stopped by a military recruiter asking if he would like to take a test – and get a day off from school. “I was 18 and, honestly, didn’t think much of it,” said Flowers. “But after taking the test, I gave the military more consideration. Ultimately, I decided to join the Air Force and shipped out right after graduation. That decision shaped my life.” Flowers spent the next four years serving in the United States Air Force, after which he went to college to obtain a degree in Chemical Engineering and then a Master of Business Administration. Flowers views his new role at DTE as another opportunity to serve. Responsible for the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to homes and businesses in communities across the state, including Detroit, Flowers under-

stands that customers depend on natural gas – particularly in these brutally cold months. “The proactive work that we’re doing in the community – upgrading the pipes carrying natural gas and moving meters to the outside of buildings – all of that is done to ensure that our customers can continue to depend on DTE to keep their homes warm.” This winter has been much colder than in years past, and that is making furnaces work much harder – resulting in higher energy bills. But Flowers wants DTE customers to know that there is help if they need it. According to Flowers, there is additional state funding available for customers this year who are in need and struggling to pay their energy bills. “The key takeaway is to call DTE at 800-4774747 as soon as you think you might have problems paying your bill,” said Flowers. “Whether it’s help paying the bill or helping customers stabilize their budget by spreading annual energy costs across equal monthly payments, we are here to provide support.”

DTE Gas is doing more than providing assistance to help with customers’ bills. The company also works year-round to keep energy costs affordable by locking in natural gas prices during the off season, and then passing those savings to Cedric Flowers customers. In fact, DTE Gas does not mark-up natural gas -- what the company pays for natural gas is what customers pay. This winter alone, this strategy is saving customers an average of $20 a month. “Think of it like buying winter gloves and hats in April,” explains Flowers. “You’re buying when demand and prices are low and storing it for when winter hits.” The company is not only working to protect customers’ pocketbooks, DTE Gas also has a plan in place to protect the planet. In 2020, the company announced a first-of-its-kind pro-

growth opportunities with DTE. Williams is an electrical contractor and certified diverse supplier with eight employees. The company helps DTE improve and maintain the underground electrical system. They work closely with Motor City Electric, a larger DTE supplier. DTE encourages suppliers like Motor City Electric to embrace a commitment to supplier diversity. “When it makes sense, Motor City reaches out to us and we bid on projects along with them,” said Williams Electric Owner Rodney Williams. “It gets us to the table a lot more effectively than if we were just out here trying to bid on projects all on our own.” The recent contract with DTE has enabled Williams Electric to hire an additional staff member and purchase new equipment. They are also bringing on more temporary skilled labor from the local union hall. In 2021, DTE captured 10 supplier diversity achievement awards, including the National Minority Supplier Development Council Class II Corporation of the Year. DTE has earned more than 40 supplier diversity industry awards since 2018. “We believe we’re at our best when our suppliers reflect the diversity of our customer base,” said Singh. “That’s why we seek out diverse small and medium businesses and connect them with new growth opportunities. We’ve replicated this success over and over to generate thousands of jobs across our state.” Michigan companies interested in learning about bid opportunities at DTE can find more information at dteenergy.com/supplychain.

gram that reduces greenhouse gases not only in DTE’s operations, but also requires suppliers to do the same. In addition, DTE Gas is inviting customers along for the journey with a voluntary program to offset their home’s natural gas emissions for as little as $4 a month, called Natural Gas Balance. By 2050, this commitment will result in greenhouse gas emission reductions equivalent to taking 1.3 million cars off the road. Flowers is active in veteran groups, including a group of DTE Energy veterans. He also serves on the Oakland University School of Engineering Advisory Board as well as The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) Board, a group that helps Michiganders pay utility bills, including propane and water bills. Flowers credits his grandfather for his commitment to serving: “My grandfather served in World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge and in Normandy. He set the bar of service high for me and I work to reach it every day. I’m here to serve our customers, to make sure their families are warm and that we do all that we can to preserve the planet for future generations.”

Page A-4 | Feb. 23 - March 1, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

The Black Press Matters By Jamon Jordan

Ohio in 1857 and came to Detroit with his parents – Richard and Mary Lott Anderson. After graduating high school in 1875, he worked for a department store and became a bookkeeper. In 1883, he joined the Pelhams and his good friend, Walter Stowers, in founding the Detroit Plaindealer.

City of Historian

The Michigan Chronicle, founded in 1936, is the longest surviving African American owned newspaper. But it is not the first. Many African American-owned newspapers have come and gone. But all of these newspapers, including The Chronicle, owe a debt to Detroit’s first African American newspaper – the Detroit Plaindealer. The Plaindealer, founded in 1883, was established by four prominent Black men – Benjamin & Robert Pelham Jr., William H. Anderson and Walter Stowers. The newspaper published for a decade, and like many abolitionist newspapers of the mid-1800s, did not merely report on the day’s affairs, but advocated on behalf of the Black community. The newspaper’s office was located downtown at the corner of Shelby and State streets. Today, that corner is occupied by the Book-Cadillac Hotel. There is a historical marker on the side of the hotel where the Plaindealer’s office was located. From 1883-1894, the Plaindealer exposed Jim Crow in the South, advocated for civil rights, heralded the rise of Black political candidates and institutions and provided a voice for the Black community in Detroit. It had a strong advertising base and an equally strong Black audience. The group of men who came together to found the paper included Robert Pelham Jr., who was born in Petersburg, Virginia in 1859. That same year, his parents – Robert Pelham Sr. and Frances Butcher Pelham – both free African Americans - left Virginia and moved north to Detroit so their children could obtain an education. Altogether, the Pelhams had seven

Jamon Jordan children, who all became prominent members of Detroit’s Black community by the late 1800s. Robert Pelham Jr. attended Everett Elementary School, where his teacher was Fannie Richards, the first Black teacher of an integrated public school in Detroit, and the pioneer of “kindergarten” in the state of Michigan. He graduated from the State Military Academy in Orchard Lake in 1877. But even before he graduated, as a young teenager, he began working for the Detroit Daily Post, the newspaper founded by abolitionist and Radical Republican Zachariah Chandler. His younger brother, Benjamin Pelham, born in Detroit in 1862, also was a student of Fannie Richards, and joined his older brother Robert in news. He became a messenger at the Detroit Daily Post while still a teenager. In 1879, Benjamin began editing his own publication, The Venture, which mainly published short stories and essays. Co-founder Walter Stowers, born in slavery in 1859 Kentucky, was taken to Canada as a child with his parents – Jesse & Hester Stowers – where they escaped slavery. After graduating from Mayhew Business School in 1883, he joined the Detroit Plaindealer team. William H. Anderson was born in Sandusky,

The paper immediately focused on civil rights, both in the South and the North, including in Detroit. The paper pioneered the work of Black women journalists by publishing the activities and writings of Ida B. Wells, the anti-lynching crusader. The paper also had a Black woman staff reporter, an unheard of practice at the time. She was Meta Pelham. She was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1855, the elder sister of Robert and Benjamin, and one of the few Black women journalists in Detroit and the United States. The paper supported the Afro-American League, the earliest national civil rights organization, and used the term “Afro-American” rather than “negro” or “colored.” When the paper ended publication in 1894, all of its founders continued successful work in various careers. An issue of the Detroit Plaindealer from December 20, 1899. The drawing at the top is the newly built structure for Bethel AME Church, on Napoleon and Hastings Street, in the Paradise Valley-Brush Park area of Detroit. Life After the Plaindealer Robert Jr. would serve as an oil inspector for the state, a water inspector for the Detroit Water Department, and in 1892, he began working for the federal government, including 37 years in Washington DC, at the US Census Bureau, where he invented and patented a pasting

A Legal Legacy

By Megan Kirk

Black History Month is a time to reflect on the accomplishments, advancements and struggles of African Americans. Though Black populations have made progress throughout history, there is still much work to be done across every sector, particularly law. Several Black attorneys have paved the way for not only new legislation, but for Black students who aspire to practice law, leading to a push for equality from the courtroom to the boardroom. At a time of heightened racial tension, the Black Lives Matter Movement and social injustice, Black lawyers have become even more essential to African American communities and the legal progress of the country. Black legal trailblazers of the past have cleared the way for a new generation of Black lawyers, including newly-hired adjunct professor for Wayne State University Law School, James Britton. Thurgood Marshall was appointed by former President Lyndon B. Johnson to the Supreme Court in 1967. With an illustrious career, Marshall is one of history’s most notable Black attorneys and serves as a role model for many. James Britton has always chased a career in law thanks in part to Marshall. “I’m one of those people who always wanted to be a lawyer. I don’t remember ever wanting to do anything else. At first, I wanted to be a Civil Rights lawyer like Johnnie Cochran or Thurgood Marshall. I consider that to be working in the public interest as a union side labor lawyer,” said Britton. “My belief is that labor rights are human rights.” A

legal

career

that

the perspective that you bring,” said Britton. “I think the same is true for prosecutors and defense attorneys.”

James A. Britton, labor attorney and adjunct professor for Wayne State University Law School. spans several years, Britton’s passion for law and equality led him to a path of labor law. Now, in his new role as adjunct professor at Wayne State’s Law School, he intends to give students a tangible image of Black law professionals while guiding them through labor law. Combining his love for law and his knack for education, Britton will now lead the next class of Black attorneys. “I’ve always wanted to teach just as a part of who I am and wanting to make a contribution,” said Britton. Nationally, Black attorneys make up just five percent of all lawyers. Representing 13 percent of America’s population, African Americans account for 38 percent of prisoners and the number continues to grow. The presence of Black legal teams helps to shift the dynamics in court as well as the legal sector across the board. Through shared experiences, Black lawyers can help to navigate and defend other African Americans who fear they will not receive fair and equal treatment under the umbrella of law. “Black lawyers bring a certain perspective depending on where you’re from and you can certainly help people with

As the legacy continues, Black lawyers are hoping to spread the word to African American students on the importance of pursuing a career in law. The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) reports African American students accounted for close to eight percent of incoming law students across schools, up from 7.6 percent in 2020. Marking 2021 as the largest incoming class in 10 years, as well as the most racially diverse class ever as per the LSAC, African Americans are chasing careers in law now more than ever. “I think it starts as early as grade school. Just sort of talking about [it], more people like me going into schools; high schools, colleges, talking about what we do, why we do it and why it’s important,” said Britton. Voting rights for Black communities have been under attack. As legislation is passed making it more difficult for African Americans to get to the polls, positions are in place to oversee the process and ensure empowerment for the voices of all voters. To help further the commitment to fairness and equality for African Americans, Britton was recently sworn into the Wayne County Board of Canvassers for the Democratic Party. Responsible for certifying elections for all local, countywide and district offices, Britton will also have a hand in the inspection of the county’s ballot containers every four years and conducting recounts, as needed, for every aspect of government within the county o which he is appointed.

“Plaindealer Boys” – Top row, left to right, Robert A. Pelham, Walter A. Stewers William H. Anderson. Sitting, left to right, Benjamin B. Pelham, Byron G. Redmond. device and engineered a tallying machine. Never losing his passion for civil rights, when Pelham saw a white policeman beating a Black woman in DC, he began Page A-4 | the February interviewing other witnesses, to make a case against the white officer. He was then arrested and tried and found not guilty. He died in 1943. His brother, Benjamin, who was the sales manager for the Plaindealer, would go on to become chief accountant for Wayne County, and then elected as Wayne County Auditor. By the 1930s, Pelham was the head of political machine that helped to further Republican and Black political advancement in and around Detroit. By the time he retired in 1942, he had been called on repeatedly to steer the city and county’s finances.

first two Black graduates the Detroit Study Club. of the Detroit College of She was also a prominent Law. He started his own member of the Detroit law firm and was the at- Federation of Women’s torney representing Af- Clubs, which was an umrican Americans in two brella organization for all housing discrimination cases.2022 He later became women’s clubs – includ9-15, | michiganchronicle.com Deputy Wayne County ing white women’s clubs Sheriff and then Deputy in the city. Wayne County Clerk. Meta Pelham continHe died in 1932.

William H. Anderson, co-authored, with Stowers, “Appointed,” a fictional work about an educated African American in Detroit dealing with racism and civil rights. Anderson continued in writing and bookkeeping. He died in 1916. Meta Pelham would go on to be an assistant for Fannie Richards and, upon Fannie Richards’ retirement, succeeded her as a teacher at Everett School.

ued to urge Black women to become journalists and urge African Americans As De to financially back Black continu women journalists and fields at fund a Black newspaper. played a Park an She died in 1941. and teen The Detroit Plaindeal- League w er was one of the most how to p significant Black insti- outdoor all, have tutions in the late 1800s multi-sp and not only paved the outdoor way for Black leaders For m who formed the paper and worked there, but opened doors for Black businesspeople, politicians, government service workers and civil rights leaders.

Meta Pelham was one of the early leaders and/ or co-founders of two He died in 1948. And it helped pave roundin Black women’s clubs – Walter Stowers, went the Michigan Association the way for the Michigan of the to or poten Mandela, for democracy in South Africa was released onNelson to become one leader of theof the of fight Colored Women and Chronicle. to calm from prison after 27 years in 1990 the imp tissue d

This Week In

Black History

By Sherri Kolade February 6 – The first organized emigration of U.S. Blacks back to Africa, began from New York to Freetown, Sierra Leone in West Africa in 1820.

The brave move was arranged by the American Colonization Society, which was founded in 1816 by Robert Finley (1772-1817) to return freed American slaves to Africa.

“Havi family their tes people w like the plants. are givin persona

For t donors h the choi

“Funn organs w The American Colonization Society (ACS), also described as the American that on Society for Colonizing the Free People of Color in the United States, came about are pain in 1816 starting as a national organization with a mission to advance the freeing viewed a the enslaved people and settling free Blacks in West Africa. terparts would b February 7 - Freedman’s Aid Society was founded in 1859 to promote in an em education among Blacks at the time of the American Civil War by the American they wo Missionary Association, which was a group primarily assisted by religious knowing organizations in the North, including Congregational, Presbyterian, and someon Methodist churches. The Society methodically brought a supply of Northern people d Barbara Jordan teachers and gave them housing, which helped them to teach throughout with tho Black History Facts of children. the Week February 21-25 schools in the South forMonth freedmen and their The work of the Society concern grew expansively the84 ending of the Civil Jordan War and the start ofwas thethe first Black looked. February 21 – On with this day years ago, Barbara wasatborn. Jordan Reconstruction era.toThe Society started their good (in work in the woman to be elected the U.S. House of Representatives 1972) and South becamefor thethree first Black my frien ment fro monthsfrom after organizing end of the first year, it had a roster of woman a southern statethe to group. serve in At thatthe body.

52 instructors, taught 5,000 59the schools. The schools Desp February 22 –who On this day over in 1989, DJ students Jazzy Jeffinand Fresh Prince won thewere first rap open to for men, and children alike in the South. Grammy theirwomen, single “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” The song peaked to number 12 on the physicia singles chart, went gold and on wonthis an MTV Award for Best Rap February 8 – In 1944 day, Video HarryMusic S. McAlpin became theVideo. first black

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racial discrimination in the South. After graduating from Fisk, he reMcAlpin, a past Navy war correspondent, turned north to for attend University, where he earned a doctorand reporter theHarvard National Negro Press ate in 1895, the firstthe Black person to accomplish such. On Aug. 27, Association and Atlanta Daily World (one 1963, at 95 years of age, he died in Accra, Ghana, just a day before of Real Times Media’s properties including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s well-known “I Have a Dream” speech at Michigan Chronicle) received those requested the March on Washington.

“We Clive Ca National national

accredited23 reporter to birthday, attend aW.E.B. WhiteDu House Going back a February – Happy Bois! press He wasconference. born on month 1944, Edward no Black journalist this day in in January 1868 as William Burghardt Du Bois, born in Barwas ever givenwhere credentials to be admitted to off to college at rington, Mass., he resided until journeying Fisk Nashville, Tenn. suchUniversity a press in conference, according to www. americacomesalive.com. Du Bois’ experiences in college opened his eyes to the severity of

W.E.B. Du Bois

credentials to attend an upcoming press February – On this day in 1864, Rebecca Lee Crumpler became the first Black woman conference24with President Franklin Roosevelt.

to receive an M.D. Crumpler, born in 1833, graduated from the New England Female Medical While awaiting with other reporters to head College.

inside the Oval Office to listen to the president, February 25 – On day in 1870, Hiram Rhodes Revels took oath as the first African Amerihe was greeted bythis a fellow reporter from The can to serve in the U.S. Senate. As a freeman his entire life, Revels served in the U.S. Congress. Times-Picayune in New Orleans (also and head S. McAlpin He was an American clergyman, educator politician Harry who served in the U.S. Senate (1870– of the HouseMississippi Press Correspondents 71) andWhite represented during Reconstruction. Association) who told him that other reporters were not happy that he, too, was going in – but they couldn’t do anything about it. The reporter also said to McAlpin that if he did not go inside, then the other reporters would share their notes with him so that he would also have a similar –while also making him a

Black Money Matters

michiganchronicle.com

| Feb. 23 - March 1, 2022

Black Retirement Matters

By Megan Kirk

The ever-growing racial wealth gap leaves little room for savings. As African Americans earn roughly 30 percent less than their white counterparts, putting away money for a rainy day can prove to be difficult. As African Americans age, financial stability becomes a major concern. Planning for the golden years is essential to survival of older generations, yet African Americans are falling behind. According to a 2021 study from Investopedia, more than half of African American households have no retirement savings at all. On average, white Americans ages 25 to 61, on average, have retirement savings of close to $80,000. African Americans in the same age group have saved just $29,000. This disparity helps to further expand the gap in wealth for African Americans.

The Future of Black Money: Detroit Joins the Virtual Boom on Cryptocurrency, NFTs

By Sheri Kolade

Omari Hall, Learning Experience Designer, GreenPath Financial Wellness. “In most states, you must be 18-years-old or older to open a brokerage account. According to a Morning Consult report, 39 percent of adults started saving for retirement in their 20s. Experts suggest to start saving for retirement when you begin working. If you save $4,500 per year over 45 years, you could have more than $1 million by the time you retire,” said Omari Hall, Learning Experience Designer, GreenPath Financial Wellness. Financial advisors are encouraging African Americans to begin saving for their retirement. Though most employers come equipped with a 401K, there are other sources for financial investment that may yield a greater amount. “An individual retirement account (IRA) is an investment account commonly used by individuals to save for retirement. Traditional IRA contributions may be tax-deductible depending on your income, tax filing status and coverage by an employer-sponsored retirement plan,” said Hall. “Roth IRA contributions, however, are not tax-deductible. Earnings grow tax-deferred and withdrawals can be made tax-free. Those who have assets in an old employer-sponsored retirement plan often move them into a Rollover IRA, where you can keep the tax benefits and choose how your money is invested.” For employers who offer money-matching options for 401k plans, employees are encouraged to con-

See RETIREMENT page A6

when he produced a composition of 5,000 dailies to create perhaps the most popular NFT of this time: “Every day is: The 1st 5,000 days.”

Non-fungible tokens (also known as NFT), bitcoins and cryptocurrency are growing digital assets used for electronic financial transactions and becoming a game-changer for people looking to cash in big online and off.

An NFT of this work sold for $69 million at the auction house, Christie’s. The sale put him “among the top three most valuable living artists,” according to the auction house.

The new gold rush is becoming a virtual boom that many Black Americans and other people of color are getting involved in, according to a report from The Washington Post.

NFT at the DBT Mack Hendricks, the co-founder of Detroit Black Tech (DBT), created an NFT-based ticket for his group’s upcoming Detroit Black Tech conference.

Bitcoins and Blockchains Cryptocurrencies, commonly referred to as crypto, are offering opportunities for minorities usually disadvantaged through traditional financial systems, the Black Information Network reported. With hardships in the traditional finance landscape (ranging from bias from banks, venture capitalists and other institutions) it’s not always an easy feat for Black people to get a proper foothold for building wealth. “When you have been locked out of the system when you haven’t had pathways to create generational wealth, you see this as an opportunity,” Cleve Mesidor, founder of the National Policy Network of Women of Color in Blockchain, told the Post. “You’re going to tell your community about it and you’re going to find ways to optimally use it to ensure you cannot just build wealth for your community, but build wealth for the next generation.” The nitty-gritty of crypto is based on operating on “blockchain technology, a decentralized network spread over many computers, according to one description. “Crypto is the value of the currency based on supply and collective demand, and not backed by the federal government or items of value — except stablecoins. Thousands of digital currencies have sprouted up since Bitcoin — perhaps the most well-known cryptocurrency — was created in 2009,” per one definition.

Mack Hendricks, co-founder of the Detroit Black Tech organization. Photo courtesy of Mack Hendricks

NFTs are built around the same type of programming as cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin or Ethereum, according to Forbes. According to https://ethereum.org, NFTs are also tokens that people could use to represent ownership of unique items. They let the creators “tokenise” items like art, collectibles or real estate. Physical money and cryptocurrencies could be sold or swapped between these items, according to https://youthfulinvestor.com/. This defines them as “fungible” as they have equal value. The article added that NFTs, however, are different. Each holding a digital signature which makes it “impossible for or equivalent to NFTs to be transferred [hence, non-fungible].” What’s the hype over NFTs? For one, buyers can own the original object via an NFT. From built-in authentication to evidence of ownership, obtaining digital rights to these items is practically “more valued by collectors than the object itself,” per the article. Mike Winklemann, a famous digital artist, known as “Beeple,” did as such

Founded in 2018, DBT (technophile members looking to build up the Detroit community of Black individuals) is hosting a virtual software developer conference, Hacking with the Homies Developer Conference, February 25-26. One of the conference topics will include NFTs. Henricks spoke to the Michigan Chronicle about creating a digital ticket for the conference made up entirely of NFTs, which he said has been a “topic of interest” for the members ranging between 500 and 1,000 people based on the platform being used for the group. More information on the conference can be found at https://detroitblacktech. org/. “People want to know are you going to talk about NFTs,” Hendricks, 47, said. “We were really trying to figure out how to really tackle this space.” Hendricks said that it was a “dope” process to create the ticket out of NFTs that he pulled from pictures of last year’s conference and added a filter on top, which he said is creative and original. “You’re buying a unique piece of something originally. This is my personal first entry into the market and we’re kind of learning as we go.” Hendricks said that anybody can get into NFTs and that it is essentially creating content for online. “If you have interesting content, you

See BLACK

MONEY page A6

PNC Bank’s Ric Devore To Retire;

Mike Bickers Named Regional President For Southeast Michigan By Donald James SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

After 31 years of service with PNC Bank – and a decade with other historic banking institutions - Richard “Ric” DeVore is retiring. Having served as the bank’s President for Detroit and Southeast Michigan for the last 12 years, DeVore will officially retire on March 31, 2022. Over his three decades with PNC, DeVore has held numerous leadership positions in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and PNC’s corporate headquarters in Pittsburgh. He returned to Metro Detroit in 2010 to become PNC’s regional president. A native of Dearborn, Mich., DeVore has been lauded for his leadership in growing and branding PNC’s diversified financial services in Detroit and Southeast Michigan. He has spearheaded solo bank initiatives and partnership ventures empowering individuals and organizations in education, affordable housing, financial lit-

eracy, community services, social justice, closing the wealth gap for African Americans, and other areas impacting Black and Brown communities. Through DeVore, PNC has been the Presenting Sponsor for Real Times Media’s Michigan Chronicle’s high-profile Pancakes & Politics (P&P) Forums. The event, held several times a year since 2006, convenes many of the powerbrokers, movers and shakers in Metro Detroit to discuss policies, issues, and solutions that matter and impact African Americans in Detroit. When the next P&P is held in March 2022 at the Detroit Athletic Club, it will be PNC’s ninth consecutive year as the Presenting Sponsor. DeVore has been called a champion for rendering leadership to charitable and education initiatives empowering underserved communities in Detroit, especially involving pre-k children. While most banks have philanthropic arms

to fund or sponsor educational programs for young people, perhaps no other bank in America, with its respective foundation, funds and implements more early childhood education programs than PNC in Detroit and Southeast Michigan under DeVore’s leadership. “We are grateful for Ric’s tremendous leadership and accomplishments at PNC over the span of his career,” said Scott Swanson, PNC Office of the Regional Presidents Midwest territory executive. “He has been

Richard “Ric” DeVore

Michael Bickers

deeply involved in the community and has used his extensive experience and passion for giving back in service, both inside and outside the bank. He has been a tireless advocate for our clients and employees, as well as greater Southeast Michigan.” While there have been a significant number of early childhood initiatives and programs

launched or endorsed under DeVore’s regional presidency, perhaps PNC’s Grow Up Great is the bank’s signature initiative that addresses Detroit’s most underserved and vulnerable children. Since the 2010 local inception of the national PNC initiative, PNC Foundation has invested millions of dollars helping more than 1,000 preschool and kindergarten students in Detroit Public Schools

Community District (DPSCD) succeed in learning. Local and regional PNC employees have volunteered thousands of hours reading to the preschoolers. DeVore has read to preschoolers at Schulze Academy for Technology and Arts in Detroit each month for 11 consecutive years. During the pandemic, DeVore reads to the preschoolers virtually. “PNC recognizes that all children deserve to begin life on equal footing with quality early learning experiences,” DeVore said. “Growing up Great is not only in the classroom but supports learning and social-emotional development at home by providing free resources and tools to parents, guardians, caregivers, and teachers. Succeeding DeVore as PNC’s new President for Detroit and Southeast Michigan is Michael Bickers, who officially takes the reigns on April 1. Since joining PNC in 1990, Bickers

See RIC

DEVORE page A6

Page A-6 | Feb. 23 - March 1, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

Ric DeVore From page A-5

has held key leadership positions in commercial and retail banking. He was PNC’s retail market manager for Detroit from 2006 to 2018. For the last four years, Bickers was executive vice president of the Retail Banking Market in Chicago.

Detroit Black Tech organization’s previous conference. Photo courtesy of Mack Hendricks

Black Money From page A-5

can make an NFT and if somebody finds that content interesting, they will buy it,” Hendricks said, adding that the people don’t have to wait to get in this market. “The market itself will dictate what is interesting content. Black folks in particular need to be in position and understand how it works so if something they create becomes very popular, they can get compensated properly.” Hendricks said that after creating the content, it needs to be marketed so sales could be made. “Even though you create this content, if nobody knows about it, you’re not going to get money,” Hendricks said. “I think, to me, it’s the great equalizer when it comes to creating unique pieces of work.” Hendricks said newcomers need to have a digital wallet, a crypto wallet, that they could easily download from the Play Store app. They have to add actual money to the wallet that would be converted to crypto. “Unlike U.S. dollars they go up and down and fluctuate a lot,” he said adding that he puts a little more into his crypto wallet to account for any fluctuations.” Down the line, Hendricks wants to get his financial profile to 50 percent (or at least 30 percent) crypto around retirement time in the next 20 years or so. “I’m fearful like everybody else -- any swing in the market scares me,” Hendricks said, adding that as he gets older, he hopes the market stabilizes and NFTs become more normal. “[Hopefully] 20 years down the line when I’m ready to retire.” Darrick Hamilton, an economics professor at the New School, says that Americans who already have the most to lose are risking more by throwing themselves at this volatile market, according to Black Information Network. “It is true the traditional financial system has not provided access, and frankly exploited Black people,” Hamilton explains. “But the remedy isn’t to turn to another vulnerable system, however well-intended it may or may not be. The remedy is a public sector that ensures they have access in an equitable way.”

“Mike is the perfect leader to succeed Ric,” Swanson said. “His commitment to clients and deep ties to the local community, coupled with his dedication to his colleagues, will play a critical role in creating positive outcomes for the entire region.”

of every leader at PNC. I believe that our commitment to diversity must be unwavering.” “I’ve known Mike since I came back to Metro Detroit in 2010,” said DeVore. “People will like that he’s a native Detroiter and knows his way around town. And for our employees at PNC, Mike is a quality and known entity for leadership.” After retiring from PNC, DeVore is not planning on moving to Arizona or Florida to enjoy retirement in the sun. Instead, he’s moving to the headquarters of Community Founda-

“This is a homecoming for me,” said Bickers, a Highland Park High School graduate who holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Oakland University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. “I grew up on both the east and west sides of Detroit and have lived in the region most of my life. Ric did a terrific job as regional president over the past 12 years, so I’m hoping to build on his legacy. My goal is to do everything I can to help all of our employees succeed while continuing to build the PNC brand in Southeast Michigan.”

From page A-5

tinue to contribute to the account allowing their employee to meet their contributions dollar-for-dollar. “Contributions and earnings to an employer-sponsored contribution plan such as a 401(k) or 403(b) for employees of non-profit, tax-exempt organizations are tax-deferred. Employers often provide matching contributions to your 401(k) account that help you build up a nest egg faster. Retirement plans such as SEP, SIMPLE and Payroll Deduction IRAs are for individuals or small business owners,” said Hall. The pandemic has made it more difficult for Black families to save money. Causing spikes in inflation and shifts in the stock market, COVID-19 has put the nation in a financial bind. Black families are continuing to bear the brunt of the finan-

“It’s a great honor to have the opportunity to lead the Community Foundation,” said DeVore, who holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA from the University of Michigan. “Mariam Noland is like an institution in the city. However, the opportunity came along with Community Foundation, and I felt this would be a great capstone to my career. It’s a way that I can devote not part of my time but 100% of my time giving back to the region. I’m excited about it!” According to credible sources, Community Foundation was founded in 1984. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life in Southeast Michigan across broad spectrums by making strategic investments to fund nonprofit organizations’ programs and initiatives that benefit the region. Since its genesis, the foundation has awarded more than $1.3 billion in grants to 80,000-plus nonprofits in Southeast Michigan. “I have always been blessed to work for an institution that has this extremely strong moral compass that matches up with my own,” said DeVore. “Both PNC and Community Foundation have the same type of moral compass that advocates, educates, and empowers communities and its people.”

Bickers continued by saying, “There is nothing more rewarding to me than impacting people from everywhere and anywhere and watching them achieve their dreams. I consider this to be among the most important work

Retirement

tion for Southeast Michigan, located in downtown Detroit. DeVore takes over as the nonprofit foundation’s new president on April 1, after the current president, Mariam Noland, retires on March 31.

cial impact. “GreenPath encourages households to start building their savings ’muscle.’ Make savings a common culture within the household. Automatically set funds aside from your paycheck or allowance, or have funds direct deposited into an interest-earning savings account,” said Hall. “Consider adding any bonus income or tax refunds to your savings or retirement account after all other priority bills are met. An emergency fund provides you a buffer to help with unexpected expenses and could be directed towards college savings or a retirement plan.” The Retirement Savings Contributions Credit presented by the IRS can help workers across the country create an easier way to save for life after retirement, however it’s an unknown asset to many, including Black communities. The Saver’s Credit is available for anyone 18 years and older who has contributed to an employ-

er-provided retirement plan, either a Roth or traditional IRA account or an ABLE account. The non-refundable tax credit can be applied to the first $2,000 of voluntary contributions to retirement accounts. Under the credit, it cannot exceed a person’s federal income tax for the year. “Saving for retirement can be difficult in the best of times, but even harder for many during the pandemic and challenging economy,” said Catherine Collinson, CEO and president of Transamerica Institute and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, in a press release. “The Saver’s Credit may help make it easier for people to save because it lowers their federal income tax.” Black communities are urged to start saving early and prioritize their savings. Estate planning is also highly recommended including wills, powers of attorney and any investment portfolios to ensure wealth is passed on from generation to generation.

michiganchronicle.com | Feb. 23 - March 1, 2022 | Page A-7

Page A-8 | Feb. 23 - March 1, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

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In celebration of Black History Month, we salute some of our many alumni who have made and are making a difference and students blazing their own trails. Learn how you can become a Warrior at wayne.edu.

John Conyers, Jr. Longest serving African American member of the U.S. Congress

Arthur Jefferson First African American superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools

Damon J. Keith Federal judge and civil rights leader

Greg Bowens Founder/Owner Bowens & Company Public Relations

Stacie Clayton Director of Community Affairs Wayne State University

Daveda Colbert Superintendent Wayne RESA

Darryl Gardner Dir., Student Success Operational Excellence Wayne State University

Sherry Gay-Dagnogo Board Member DPSCD

Michael Griffie Sr. Managing Director Teach for America

Victoria Griffin Project Manager and Financial Consultant AT&T

William Hill Chair-Elect American Association of University Administrators

Dawn N. Ison U.S. Attorney Eastern District of Michigan

Carmen Kennedy-Rogers Senior Program Officer The Skillman Foundation

Ernestine Lyons Program Manager Global Detroit

Palencia Mobley Deputy Director and Chief Engineer DWSD

Rose Moten

Portia Roberson Chief Executive Officer Focus: HOPE

Mary Sheffield President Detroit City Council

Chuck Simms Interim Fire Commissioner Detroit Fire Department

Wiliam A. Smith Chief Financial Officer Detroit Riverfront Conservancy

Shirley Stancato Vice Chair Wayne State University Board of Governors

James Tate President Pro Tem Detroit City Council

Marquis Taylor Creator/Host Detroit Worldwide Podcast

Vickie Thomas Communications Director City of Detroit

Reginald Turner President American Bar Association

Sean Werdlow Managing Director Siebert Williams Shank

Debra White-Hunt Co-Founder/Artistic Dir. Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy

Geneva Williams Chief Executive Officer Dr. Geneva Speaks, LLC

Corri Wofford Detroit Regional Director U.S. Senator Gary Peters

Kamali A. Clora '21 Public Health Honors

Jasmine Coles '24 Medicine

Damon Creighton, Jr. '22 Social Work

Chase Johnson '23 Political Science

Anthony Leverett '22 Political Science and Psychology

Ravyn Lockridge '23 Political Science and English

Amana Moore '23 Journalism and African American Studies

Makayla Rawls '23 Political Science and African American Studies

Miles N. Ruben '21 Film and Public Relations

Kate Vaughn '24 Journalism

Cora Brown First African American woman elected to the Michigan State Senate

Albert B. Cleage, Jr. Founder Shrine of the Black Madonna Church

Kenneth Cockrel, Sr. Detroit Common Council member and civil rights activist

Cliff Russell Radio/TV Host WSU Athletic Hall of Fame

Roy Levy Williams Past President Detroit Urban League

Wendell Anthony President Detroit Branch NAACP

Wanda Cook-Robinson Superintendent Oakland Schools

Lloyd Crews Council Member City of Southfield

Stephanie Hawkes Interim Director, OMSE Wayne State University

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Black Culture Matters

B1 | Feb. 23 - March 1, 2022

michiganchronicle.com

A New Day for Harper Ray

Moving to the Beat of Their Own Drum:

By Megan Kirk Harper Ray is becoming a household name. The accessories brand found its home in a suburb of Detroit, but has sprouted from roots deep in family, drive and creativity. Black, woman-owned-and-operated, Harper Ray strives to be more than a fashion brand, but a community staple and the catalyst behind empowerment and change. Recently opening its doors, Harper Ray has made strides in the community and has no plans of slowing down.

Black

Gillian Bradley has always had a flare for fashion. From early childhood, the native Detroiter would create pieces laying the groundwork for what would inevitably become a life’s passion.

(Subculture)

Lives Matter

“I’ve always been an arts and crafts girl. Gillian Bradley, own- My parents aler and founder of would ways make Harper Ray. jokes that if they saw one more speck of glitter on their floor, they would pass out,” said Bradley. She stayed true to this love for creativity, but it wasn’t until high school that the budding designer would have her first opportunity to customize metals and create pieces from her work.

By Sherri Kolade They are found in every part of society if you just know where to look. However, counterculture and subculture Black people, are often hidden in plain sight and not always front and center in mainstream media. Yet in the celebration of all things Blackness, the unique elements of cultures within a culture can bring a greater sense of solidarity in movements while bringing the ever-important message home that not all Black folks look or act the same.

Harper Ray store view. “In high school we had a jewelry class as an elective and we were able to saw and mold metals and things. I used to take that class really seriously. It was really fun to me to design different pieces of jewelry and that is really how this started,” said Bradley. Soon, traction around her work would begin to pick up. After making custom jewelry pieces for herself, classmates began to take notice and put in custom orders helping to monetize her skill. Choosing a brand identity, Harper Ray gets its name from a source close to the owner’s heart. Continuing the legacy of success within the family, the entrepreneur branded her company after a man who helped break barriers for other Black doctors. “Harper was my grandfather‘s last name and he was definitely one of the prominent figures in our family. He was the head of our family and he passed when I was six years old. He was one of the first Black anesthesiologists in the state of Michigan,” said Bradley. “As an ode to his success and honor his legacy, I wanted to name this after him.” Now with a name and buzz around her ability to create jewelry, the owner used her network to go into business for herself. Launched at Michigan State University, Harper

See HARPER RAY Page B-2

From Afrofuturism -- a movement that features futuristic or science fiction-style elements while dropping elements of Black history and culture -think Black Panther or Janelle Monáe to even non-mainstream spirituality, nothing is off-limits when it comes to challenging stereotypes and celebrate the non-mainstream areas that Black folk have been blazing a trail in for decades. In the book “Assembling a Black Counter Culture,” writer and musician DeForrest Brown Jr. delves into the origins of techno music in Detroit and elsewhere, and he shines a light on the history and analysis of techno (and similar electronic music like house and electro) and explaining showing how the genre has been cultivated over time by a Black American musical sensibility. Brown goes back to Detroit’s 1980s techno scene to delve into this genre’s unique history from a Black theoretical perspective, according to his book that connects the dots between movements in Black electronic music while surviving the status quo created by mainstream America. Decades later in the here and the now, many have noted how even the Black Lives Matter movement is a counterculture in some pockets of society, according to national reports. In a book titled “Black Futures,” authors Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham delved into how Black people are not only not a monolith but a whole experience that cannot be contained on pages. They wanted to find out, “What

Metro Detroit resident and makeup artist Brittani Hodges likes anime and hopes to visit Japan one day. Photo courtesy of Brittani Hodges does it mean to be Black and alive right now?” “We sought to make sense of our unique paradox: We have never been more empowered and yet, in many ways are still so disenfranchised,” they noted in their book. “Blackness is infinite -- a single book cannot attempt to contain the multitude and multiverse.... we are in a continuum of those who came before and those who will come after.” The book also celebrates the strides Black people have made today and in yesteryear. “This is not an art book, this is not

a scholarly journal; this book is a series of guideposts for current and future generations who may be curious about what our generation has been creating during a time defined by social-cultural economic and ecological revolution,” the authors noted. Detroit resident and social media influencer Ashanti (Om Shanti) Barber, 31, told the Michigan Chronicle previously that she is doing things her way when it comes to carving out a lane for herself in the spirituality and wellness world as a rising TikTok and Instagram influencer.

See SUBCULTURE Page B-2

Don’t Touch My Hair By Megan Kirk

Julisa Anderson, licensed cosmetologist.

Solange Knowles said it best -- don’t touch my hair. In the African-American community hair is hailed as a sacred crown. Able to defy gravity, Black hair is a way of expressing oneself, which dates back to ancestral times. Steadily evolving, African Americans have continuously re-created and reimagined hairstyles while still maintaining legacy. Not just exclusive to women, but Black men have also stood firm using their hair as a means of stature, pride and history.

a source of not only personal, but spiritual power. Early in Black ancestry, hair was used to signify stance, rank and wealth. Cornrows, Bantu knots and locs can be traced back to early centuries when Black kings and queens ruled. Used as a way of identification, certain hairstyles would denote different tribes across Africa. Now, Black communities are continuing the rich tradition of hair passed down through generations.

“How I perceive Black hair [is] it’s magical! I’ve been doing hair for almost 15 years and just watching how hair has evolved Braids, Afros, Curls and color by Anderson. working our culture over the years is always so amazing to witness. puffs and twists are all iconic in Black culture. Over time, I have noticed there is more of a push Each shining in their own when it comes to expressing ourselves through our era, Black hair has been See DON'T TOUCH MY HAIR Page B-2

Page B-2 | Feb. 23 - March 1, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

Don't Touch My Hair From page B-1 hair,” said Julisa Anderson, a certified cosmetologist. “Hair has always been sacred to us and I think more people are becoming more aware of it.”

Anderson rocks her natural crown.

Throughout slavery, Black hair would undergo several transitions as their culture and identities were stripped away in the Americas. Upon arrival, men and women, including children, would have their heads shaved essentially erasing the divine attachment Africans had to their hair. As slavery progressed, texturism would emerge. This gave birth to one of the earliest forms of separatism among Black people. “Part of that detached them from their spirituality. Their hair was cut to break them down. I know for sure the Yoruba tribe, before the slaves were brought to America and other places, they did their hair to pray to their gods. It was more than just a nice hairstyle; it was something spiritual that connected them to a higher power,” said Anderson. In the 1900s, Madame CJ Walker created an empire by manufacturing hair products geared towards African Americans. Credited as the first Black female million-

Harper Ray From page B-1 Ray began as an e-commerce store, but quickly expanded. “As we grew, and once I finished college, is when we got our first location. We were inside of an office building -- we had a suite. You had to know about us to find us and know where we were,” said Bradley. “As our audience grew, we started expanding the space a little bit more.” Using personal funds and profits made from sales, the Harper Ray brand is a completely self-funded venture. Finding a space in Southfield created a home for Harper Ray and the opportunity to bring employees on board. Although already in business, moving to a storefront location was a dream for the owner, but the pandemic presented new hurdles due to business closures and stay-home orders. “This is when I felt like I had to get super creative in terms of how we can reach our customers and how to keep people engaged with the brand,” said Bradley. The number of Black entrepreneurs has skyrocketed during the pandemic. Particularly among Black women, new businesses are finding life and African American women are finding economic

Subculture From page B-1 She teaches her followers on the history and meaning behind various spiritual practices that can be traced back to ancient African faith and religion, according to a press release. To her surprise, many people took to her messages. Barber added it took her “quite a while” to put herself out there and say, “This is who I am and this is what I do. I never knew there was a thirst for authentic knowledge.” With nearly 85,000 followers on TikTok and over 28,000 followers on Instagram, Barber continues to build a strong presence on social media that her followers look to for credible advice in a space that’s becoming increasingly popular. “I’m not going to lie — I thought I was a weirdo so to speak,” she said. “I was widely accepted. [People] really, really quickly took to me.” For Brittani Hodges, 28, of Royal Oak, who attended diverse Troy High School and moves to the beat of her own drum she said that she has lived her experiences as a Black teenager learning to celebrate her Blackness while championing others in the different social cir-

aire, Walker introduced pressing columns to the masses. This led to a new era of hair care for African Americans. In conjunction with hair products and the straightening comb, Black hair took on a new identity. Although African Americans had become adjusted to European standards of beauty, Madam CJ Walker paved the way for entrepreneurship in the Black community. “She [set] goals. If I could say one word, goals. She really created an avenue for Black women. I guess you could say Black entrepreneurs in general just to find your way through your passion and really hone in on it,” said Anderson.

ment where we could show our hair however we wanted to. Even in its natural state,” said Anderson. Imitated, but never duplicated, Black hair has been emulated by many different races. As trendsetters, African Americans have been subjected to European standards of beauty. Now, tables have turned as an increasing number of nonBlacks have begun to wear styles ingrained in African tradition. “Black hair is the most popular and I think that other cultures try to make it seem like Black hair isn’t as popular, but all these other cultures copy off of us because we are the trendsetters,” said Anderson. “A lot of times our stuff doesn’t get noticed until a white person wears it.”

The 1960s and 1970s saw the return of gravity-defying hair with the introduction of Afros. Shown as a sign of activism, Black hair was seen as militant and proud. Now, the natural hair movement has been reborn with more and more Black men and women embracing their natural kinks, coils and curls.

Despite growing acceptance, Black hair is still faced with discrimination. The Crown Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” introduced in 2019 was instituted to ensure protection while combating discrimination against ethnic hair in corporate America. The emergence of such shows Black hair has a way to go in the fight for justice.

“Once we have reached freedom and people started advocating more and more for equality, Black people started to wear Afros as a sign of resistance. That was the first mo-

“I want people to love on their crowns more. It’s called a crown for a reason so love on it, take care of it. Hair is an investment,” said Anderson.

freedom through their passions. “I think that we are such a large consumer base for so many different people, so many different brands and of course so many different industries. I think it’s a beautiful thing for us to be able to recognize that power and start being the people who are providing some of these products and services,” said Bradley.

DIAL 2-1-1

Harper Ray is continuing its mission to empower the people it serves. Not only a go-to for fashion forward accessories and merchandise, but a pivotal entity for the community at large. For the holiday season Harper Ray provided an in-store African-American Santa Claus for its customers to visit and take pictures.

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“When we moved, we were focused on how do we make our community a little bit better. How do I use the space to foster community as well and it’s those little things that we’re able to do for families and for children to see a Santa that looks like you and me,” said Bradley. “We want to focus on bringing our pile together and multicultural people in general.” Harper Ray does plan on opening a second location in a new city. For the future, the owner wants to continue investing in the community she calls home. “We’re here to make an impact. We’re here to make women feel good. That’s what our aim is every day,” said Bradley.

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cles she hung in. “A lot of cultures went to that school,” she said adding that she bounced around friend groups and was always “intrigued by other people.” “I never wanted to just stick to like one group ... I just was having fun with each group,” she said adding that growing up, she is interested in anime and Japanese culture. “I was taking Japanese for two years in high school, then it was mainly focused on the Asian culture I found fascinating as far as fashion, the language…stuff like that,” she said, adding that her parents introduced her and her siblings to Asian food, African food and other foods. “My dad played a huge part in opening us up to different cultures in that aspect as well.” Hodges, who runs a bridal makeup business, Beautifulli Flawed, (@hodgesxbrittani) said that she hopes to venture to Japan one day and enjoy the culture in a more immersive way. She encourages other people to explore life to the fullest and celebrate their uniqueness and Blackness.

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“Just have the confidence to do what your heart says to do,” she said. “It’s okay to be curious and venture out and explore.… We all have our journey of figuring out who we are and that looks differently to each person.”

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Black Love Matters

| Feb. 23 - March 1, 2022

michiganchronicle.com

Why

Black Love Hits Home

By Sherri Kolade “Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding space,” American author Zora Neale Hurston once said. Black love has stood the turbulent test of time. From slavery trauma to the Reconstruction Era, from Jim Crow to the 21st century hardships of today, Black love is still championed and celebrated through the generations, but progress comes at what cost and to what gain? American author Ta-Nehisi Coates said that Black women and men have thankfully overcome a lot of stereotypes surrounding their relationships but there is still a ways to go. “The crude communal myth about Black men is that we are in some manner unavailable to Black women—either jailed, dead, gay or married to white women,” Coates said. Even during slavery, Black men and Black women were inevitably torn apart, both their relationships and their families, as enslaved Black people were unable to legally marry in the American colonies or states, according to www. http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/. Black people then were treated like property and commodities, not individu-

als who could enter into a legal contract like marriage until the ending of slavery in America in 1865. In present day, though now marrying for more than 150 years, some challenges remain in protecting, and honoring, Black love. “Keeping African Americans in their ‘proper’ place … involves excluding traditional Black households from the nation’s family portrait. The quintessential American family is always assumed to be white and middle class, no matter how often white people prove to be less than committed to that model… .And this is the case even as the United States provides white people with resources like safety—not having to fear that police officers or civilians will kill their loved ones without consequence,” author Koritha Mitchell noted in an article on Black love. Despite attempts to intentionally diminish the presence of a Black couple – one of the many pillars in the Black community – Black love keeps on going. Detroit resident Durene Elem-Vaughn is celebrating nearly 30 years of marriage to her husband Eric Vaughn. Elem-Vaughn told the Michigan Chronicle that in September it would be 29 years of marriage, which she said has stood the test of time.

“Black love is a learning process,” she said. “You have to love each other through everything.” Elem-Vaughn and her husband are in good company – and that company keeps growing. According to https://www.statista. com/, in 2020, there were about 4.76 million Black married-couple families living in the United States, which is a major increase from 1990, when about 3.57 million Black married-couple families were in the U.S. To celebrate the continuation of Black love, the annual holiday, Black Marriage Day (held every fourth Sunday in March) is taking place on Sunday, March 27. Robert Warmack, Detroit-based counselor at L.E.C. Counseling (Love, Empathy & Compassion), said that Black couples and families have endured a lot all while recently carrying even more with the weight of COVID-19 added to the mix. “Even prior to the pandemic there were some of our families and in our community having challenges with housing, employment and healthcare … going into the pandemic those things were exacerbated,” Warmack said, adding that some economic challenges leading to job loss and other aspects could impact relationships.

Elem-Vaughn said that she and her husband have overcome health challenges in the family and other things that could have torn couples apart – but they stayed together because they love each other. “When it comes to Black love itself, we can’t give up on each other too fast … be willing to endure longer than some of the average people will do in society,” Elem-Vaughn said. “All those things contribute to marriage and relationships,” Warmack told the Michigan Chronicle previously. Warmack added that Black couples also encounter separately, or together, systemic racism on and off the job — another hurdle they get through and handle by encouraging each other. “When you come home with all of the things you are dealing with, I am here to support you and love you because I know what you are dealing with,” he said. That is what Black couples want to hear from their partners, adding that being open with each other and vulnerable is important, too. Elem-Vaughn said that Black love itself represents the family by standing in the face of adversity “no matter what it is.” “It always comes along,” she said adding that she and her husband are traditional in some ways as the provider and protector of the family. “That is the basic role I think handed down to most families,” she said adding that like other families her own has overcome (and is still going through) some health challenges and other things they handle as a unit. “The biggest thing is agreeing on how to handle decisions and learning when to let go of an argument. “ “There will be other times you make a decision, and it didn’t work out,” Elem-Vaughn said adding that to be the bigger person know that no one is always right or always wrong in a relationship. “I hope they understand the perspective,” she said. Her husband echoed some of her thoughts on melanated love. “Black love to me is the spiritual bond that we as African Americans have amongst each other despite the challenges that we’ve endured and continue to face,” he said. “Respect, trust, commitment, flowing communication and of course Black Love are just a few things that have helped us to stand the test of time in our marriage.” For more information go to www.leccounseling.org.

Black Wellness Matters

| Feb. 23 - March 1, 2022

michiganchronicle.com

Why Black Health Matters Now More Than Ever By Sherri Kolade Black Health matters – it has always mattered. It has mattered for the children, women and men who need emotional, mental and psychological support during their darkest times and even in processing their emotions when their joy overflows. Despite sometimes being looked down upon in hushed conversations surrounding the need for mental health in the Black community, seeking mental health-related resources is prevalent according to Rev. Dr. Ronné Wingate Sims, an ordained Baptist minister, speaker, teacher and activist, who creates “culturally relevant healing spaces” for individuals working through intergenerational and ongoing trauma. As the executive minister at Imani Community Church in her hometown of Oakland, Calif., Sims previously told the Michigan Chronicle that she also has a Healing Trauma meditation on the free meditation app HealthyMinds Program. The meditation app focuses on healing intergenerational trauma. The practice helps people make room for strong emotions by getting curious about them through insight and by leaning on gratitude. Sims previously said that over time the wounds left behind from traumatic events can lead to issues such as depression, anxiety, addiction or other challenges to mental health and wellness. “A person can begin to lean on unhealthy behaviors as coping mechanisms to soothe their pain but oftentimes find themselves feeling worse,” she said, adding that unresolved trauma can negatively impact the dayto-day with physical health implications. “[It can reduce] the quality of our relationships, can hinder creativity and the ability to find joy in ordinary activities like work and play,” Sims said. “The shame around certain kinds of

trauma can prevent people from engaging in daily life with their full selves in subtle and sometimes powerful ways.” Sims added that as a pastor she’s seen unresolved trauma, particularly wounds suffered in childhood, “show up in the pews and even in the pulpit quite often.” “Stigma around seeking mental health treatment is one of the greatest barriers to seeking help,” Sims said. “This persists largely because the American medical establishment has not always been a trustworthy institution for us. Additionally, [some religious people] believe seeking treatment is incongruent with their spiritual life even though the holy books of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and other faiths indicate seeking counsel is not only acceptable but a godly endeavor.” When traditional therapy is not always readily available some mental health pathways can include:

• One-on-one talk therapy for working through trauma. • Group therapy — talk therapy with a small group of others with similar concerns and led by a licensed therapist. • Guided meditation. • Making or listening to music, particularly African drum circles • Acupuncture can alleviate some of the symptoms of depression and anxiety • Regular physical activity — walking, running, dancing, or another exercise. According to the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI), part of the “shared cultural experience” in Black communities — like family connections, values, expression through spirituality or music, reliance on community and religious networks — are enriching moments that can be “great sources of strength and support,” NAMI noted. “However, another part of

this shared experience is facing racism, discrimination, and inequity that can significantly affect a person’s mental health,” NAMI said, “being treated or perceived as ‘less than’ because of the color of your skin can be stressful and even traumatizing. Additionally, members of the Black community face structural challenges accessing the care and treatment they need.” Yet, even with legitimate therapy needs, only one in three Black adults who need mental health care receive it per NAMI. To receive help and even find culturally competent care ask a provider questions (provided by NAMI) like: Have you treated other Black people or received training in cultural competence for Black mental health? How do you see Black people’s cultural backgrounds influencing our communication and my treatment?

Do you use a different approach in your treatment when working with patients from different cultural backgrounds? What is your current understanding of differences in health outcomes for Black patients? For more culturally relevant resources find organizations online like Black Men Heal, Black Mental Health Alliance, and Black Mental Wellness. Getting help can be one’s best bet to handling unresolved Black trauma, which can transcend generations, but seeking help sends powerful messages intergenerationally. “Wounds from traumatic events can get in the way of a parent fully showing up emotionally for their children,” Sims said. “But a parent who engages in mental health care sets a powerful example for their children and can demonstrate what healing can look like. When we take time to heal, we heal our, too.”

“THE POWER TO CHANGE THIS NARRATIVE IS YOUR CHOICE.” REV. HORACE SHEFFIELD III, PASTOR, NEW DESTINY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

The COVID-19 vaccines give us the power to protect ourselves and our communities. As a pastor, Rev. Sheffield has seen too many of his church members suffer with COVID-19, then die in the hospital without the comfort of loved ones nearby. But he believes that the end of the pandemic is in our control. “We need to do this. We need to get vaccinated,” he says. Make a choice to change the narrative. Get your vaccine today. Find your vaccine: Visit Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine, call 211, or text your zip code to 438829.

Classifieds ANNOUNCEMENTS

Academy of Warren, a Tuition-

Free Public School Academy, announces its Open Enrollment Period for the 2022-2023 school year for grades K-8. Applications may be picked up at the Academy (586-552-8010) or online at www.academyofwarren.net. Hours to pick up applications will be March 7, 2022 thru April 1, 2022 from 8 am to 4 pm Monday- Friday; Saturday March 19, 2022: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; March 23, 2022: 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. If applications exceed the number of available spaces, a random selection will be held at Academy of Warren, 13943 E. 8 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48089, on April 7, 2022.

Published Every Wednesday

MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

313 963-5522

michiganchronicle.com | Feb. 23 - March 1, 2022 | Page B-5

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED

Product Engineer

12/48 Volt Electric Power Subsystem Lead Engineer (SSLE)

Meritor Industrial Products, LLC seeks a Product Engineer in Troy, MI to design, develop, test, apply and perform production release of Defense and Specialty Axle, Suspension Electric Drive and Driveline Products; among other duties. Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and two years of experience in the job offered or related. International and domestic travel required as needed, up to 12%. Apply to job reference number 2200001K at: meritor.jobs.net/search

Head of Solution Design Lead, manage and develop the Solutions design activities/processes, by managing all sales opportunities through the phases of the stage gate process in full compliance with the TGW internal processes and support the implementation of TGW standard solutions/systems/modules to minimize the risk and maximize margins; among other duties. BS+36 mos experience; up to 20% domestic and international travel. Send resume to L. Baker, TGW Systems, 3001 Orchard Vista Dr., Ste. 300, Grand Rapids, MI 49546; Ref. HSD-GRMI. No phone calls please. EOE.

Warren, MI, General Motors. Engr &dvlp Electrical Controls for battery power mgmt &intelligent voltage regulation. Dvlp, &integrate electrical HW, embedded ECU core SW &calibration bundle in U.S./global conventional psgr vehicle, HEV, BEV, &AVs, incldg 12/48V Liion batteries &Battery Mgmt Sys, DC/DC converters, Intelligent Battery Sensors, MotorGenerator Units. Ensure correct implementation of engrg designs &control algorithms communicating over CAN, GM LAN, &LIN using IBM Rhapsody, CST Tool Kit, Automotive Calibration/SW Relearn tool, Eclipse, GEARS, &Git tools, to perform electrical functions in psgr vehicles incldg battery charging &maintenance, battery diagnostics, cmpnt powering, &meet U.S. EPA &Euro6 CO2/Green House Gas reduction, CAFE &Corporate Average Fuel Consumption standards. Ensure electric subsyss compliance w/ ASIL risk classification scheme defined by ISO 26262-Functional Safety for Road Vehicles standard, &specs for OBD according to EPA &UNESE (European) standards. Master, Mechanical, Electrical, Product Development, Automotive, or Aerospace Engrg. 12 mos exp as Engineer, engrg or dvlpg HW or device incldg Electrical Controls for psgr vehicle, integrating electrical HW &embedded engine control module SW, &dvlpg SW calibrations, or related. Mail resume to Ref#6638, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

HELP WANTED

PROJECT MANAGER – MATERIAL SUPPLY SYSTEMS Dürr Systems, Inc. has an available position of Project Manager--Material Supply Systems in Southfield, MI. Although the Project Manager--Material Supply Systems will work in Southfield, MI the Project Manager--Material Supply Systems will be required to travel 15% of working time to customer sites throughout North America as well as to parent company headquarters in Germany. Position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering & 36 months experience as a project manager. Position also requires: Exp. must include: 1) 36 mos. exp. managing paint material high viscosity & Piggable supply systems; & 2) 18 mos. exp. leading international project teams. Any exp. reqs. may be met concurrently during the same time period. Job duties: Manage paint, high viscosity & Piggable supply systems of projects together with the APT (Application Paint Technology) Senior Project Manager. Serve as main liaison between customer & APT project teams. Communicate all contractual scope & technical requirements to respective project teams & departments. Interface to Material Supply departments in Germany & Mexico. Manage multiple projects ranging from Paint Material Supply Systems including Piggable to Sealer Material Supply Systems from purchase order to successful completion. Coordinate all project activities including engineering, modular build, installation, & onsite commissioning in order to meet project scope. We are an equal opportunity employer & all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, the presence of a medical condition or disability, height, weight, or any other protected status. We maintain a drug-free work place & perform pre-employment drug & alcohol testing. Qualified applicants should e-mail resume & verification of reqs. to Rachel Bennett, Human Resources, at Rachel.Bennett@durrusa.com. HELP WANTED

Join Our Team

Walker-Miller Energy Services is hiring! Accounts Receivable Analyst/Accountant – Detroit, MI Direct Installer – Lansing, MI Energy Advisor – Detroit, MI Energy Advisor – Grand Rapids, MI Energy Efficiency Concierge – Detroit, MI Energy Engineer – Detroit, MI Energy Specialist – Detroit, MI Energy Specialist – Grand Rapids, MI IT Salesforce Developer – Detroit, MI Outreach Manager – Detroit, MI Outreach Supervisor – Detroit, MI Proposal Manager – Detroit, MI Recruiter – Detroit, MI Senior Director, Program Operations – Detroit, MI To apply please visit wmenergy.com/careers-2/

PERSONAL SERVICES Mrs. Linn is a born gifted Reader & Adviser on all affairs of life. Do you need help with or looking for answers about luck, love, finances, relationships, or want confirmation that your life is on the right track? Whatever the reason, Mrs. Linn can and will help. She has been in business and sharing her gifts with the world for over 45 years as a born gifted Psychic with the ability to touch on your past, present, and future. Don’t put off getting the help you need to make impactful life changes. Call and make an appointment to see this gifted lady today. Improve your life with her gifts.

(419) 973-3100

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5 Tips for Buying Life Insurance (StatePoint) More and more people are realizing that adding life insurance to their financial plan can provide a measure of security for their loved ones. In fact, according to a survey by the financial services trade association LIMRA, the first six months of 2021 saw the highest number of U.S. life insurance policies sold since 1983, and nearly one in three Americans said they were more likely to purchase coverage due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you’re buying life insurance for the first time or reviewing your policy to make sure you have the right coverage, here are five tips to help guide you in the right direction: 1. Know the difference between term and permanent life insurance. Term life insurance coverage lasts for a set amount of time – most policies are for 10 to 30-year terms – while permanent life insurance covers your entire lifetime. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, but some prefer term since it has a lower premium compared to permanent; it can be tailored to the length of time it’s needed (such as long enough for your mortgage or your children’s college educations to be paid for). On the other hand, permanent policies often have cash accumulation and can be tailored to last your lifetime. 2. Determine how much you need. There are several factors to consider, including your age, debts, monthly expenses and number of children. Did you know that even stay-at-home parents and student loan cosigners could have a definite need for life insurance? An insurance agent can help you figure out who and what you need to protect. To estimate your coverage needs, use the free Erie Insurance life insurance calculator found at www.erieinsurance.com/life-calc. 3. Purchase sooner rather than later. If you hold off buying term life insurance until age 50, the rate can be up to 212% higher compared to buying at age 30. So don’t wait. Policies are more affordable than you may think. Permanent policies can also drastically change over time. For example, a $250,000 Erie Family Life policy could cost less than $15 a month, or about what you might spend on three or four coffee shop drinks. 4. Talk with a trusted advisor. An insurance agent can help answer any questions you have, walk you through the process, lay out the options that make sense for your life and budget, anticipate your needs and make the process efficient. In many cases, your advisor can tell you how much you need and how much it can cost in just a couple of minutes. 5. Choose a proper beneficiary. In other words, decide who you want your benefit to go to when you pass away, such as a spouse, close family member or grown child. There’s also the option to leave it to a charity, school or church. It’s important to make sure you think through who your beneficiaries are and if any proceeds meant to benefit a minor should be held in trust. When selecting a beneficiary, a policy owner must select someone with “insurable interest” in the life of the insured. Insurable interest generally means that the beneficiary will incur some type of loss should the life insured pass away. “Insurance is a critical part of any financial plan,” said Louis Colaizzo, senior vice president of Erie Family Life. “This is why we’re continuing our efforts to educate customers about the importance of having adequate coverage that ensures their loved ones are protected.”

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Page B-6 | Feb. 23 - March 1, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

How we’re boosting the fight against hunger Bank of America is proudly supporting our employees’ health and safety and addressing one of our local community’s most critical needs. Each day, millions of Americans suffer from food insecurity, which typically spikes during the winter months. For every employee who lets us know they’ve received a booster shot, Bank of America is donating $100 to local hunger-relief organizations. This is a direct investment in the health of our teammates, and in the well-being of the communities where we work and live. Through this effort, our team in Detroit recently presented Forgotten Harvest and Gleaners Community Food Bank with checks totaling $100,000. This contribution is in addition to our long-standing philanthropic support to help fight hunger and food insecurity across the country. We are proud to be able to help our community as we work together to move forward.

Matt Elliott President, Bank of America Detroit

Learn more at bankofamerica.com/detroit

Donations in each market reflect $100 per employee who has recorded their booster and an additional company contribution. Vaccination boosters and vaccination reporting are voluntary. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. © 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.